Runtime: 12 minutes
 
We are pleased to present Eric Goldschmidt, Properties of Glass Programs Supervisor at The Corning Museum of Glass, in this focused E-demo dedicated to foundational control in borosilicate lampworking.
 
This E-demo is designed for beginner to advanced lampworkers interested in developing confidence, sensitivity, and precision when working with borosilicate tubing, particularly those drawn to scientific glass or clean, controlled hollow forms.
 
In this demonstration, Eric introduces a series of progressive exercises that emphasize working with minimal material and no glass tools. The lesson centers on building an intuitive understanding of heat, airflow, gravity, and surface tension as primary shaping forces, rather than relying on tools to correct form.
 
Students will learn how to control wall thickness through staged blowing, move fluidly between spherical and cylindrical forms, and use heat placement and rotation speed to influence width, elongation, and compression. The demo also covers condensing hollow tubing into solid rod using uniform heat and surface tension while maintaining alignment and symmetry.
 
Throughout the process, Eric emphasizes observation, restraint, and material awareness, learning to read glow, viscosity, and resistance in the glass to know when to advance and when to pause. These exercises are intended to build long term skill, patience, and confidence that translate directly into more complex scientific and functional glasswork.
 
This demo is fully subtitled, making it accessible for the hard of hearing and for non-native English speakers. Techniques shown range from beginner to advanced and require patience — expect challenges, repairs, and learning moments as part of the process. After purchase, access may take up to 24 hours to activate. Learning options and access details are outlined in the Learning Tiers section.
 
Skill level: Beginner to advanced
Process: Lampworking Scientific Glass Borosilicate
Requirements: Your own torch