The art of glassblowing

by **Serenity Kora** on May 24th, 2014, 1:24 pm

Timestamp: Summer, 15th day, 505 AV

The young girl was watching Isadore, mesmerized by the glowing red glass. It glimmered, the different sides glinting in the sunlight. It was beautiful. Isadore was puffing smalls amounts of air, delicately into the molten part of the glass. Molding it, into the shape of a vase, Serenity watched the swirling patterns on the glass expand in time to Isadore's movements. The heat in the workshop, was oppressive, and Serenity stepped outside to escape from it. She wore a simple blue, summer dress that stopped just short of her knees. Wiping her sweating hands on it, she went back to the workshop, the beauty of the glass luring her back inside.

"Serenity!" Isadore called to her as she stepped inside,"Come here!" Serenity was stricken. This was the first time Isadore had acknowledged her presence when she was busy. Diverting her concentration for one second, she handed Serenity the rod. “Put it in the furnace.” She commanded her. Serenity just stood there, unsure, not knowing what exactly Isadore wanted her to do. Serenity was not known for her gracefulness and skill with her hand. Clumsy would be a more apt description. But here Isadore was, putting the incredibly fragile molten glass into her hands. Did she expect her to actually do the process?

“Well, what are you waiting for, girl?” The amused, and slightly annoyed voice jerked Serenity out of her thoughts. “Y-you want me to?” Patiently Isadore explained the process to her. “Glass blowing is simple really. I’ve already heated up the glass for you. Now all you have to do is keep shaping it. Make sure you keep putting it into the furnace over there, it is called a glory hole. Glass is quite the troublesome material as it begins to harden after a short time. But the end product is beautiful if nothing else, even the worst novice cannot make something ugly.”
Isadore stepped back.

by **Serenity Kora** on May 25th, 2014, 8:56 am

With obvious inexperience, Serenity thrust the hardening liquid glass into the glory hole. From behind her, the encouraging sounds of Isadore calmed her, and stilled her trembling hand. Tension filled the air, until Serenity could almost taste it at the tip of her tongue. Like she had watched so many times before, with the background instructions from Isadore, Serenity rolled the metal pole the glass hang off, onto the cold marver. After making it the smallest bit larger, Serenity would put it back into the furnace. And so, a steady rhythm of rolling and then melting was formed.

She allowed herself the time to study the glittering patterns on the glass. It was a decadent red in colour, with pale orange swirls entwined into it. As she got distracted, she hadn’t realized that she had rolled the glass onto the marver unsymmetrically, thus causing the bottom of the glass to become too thick. Not knowing what to do, in panic, Serenity nearly dropped the pole.

Scowling, Isadore reached out her hand to steady it, maneuvering both their hands over the glory hole so that the bottom of the glass was the focus of the licking tongues of flames. “Use your brain!” Isadore told her, rolling her eyes, then stepped back to let Serenity have control once again. Abashedly, the young girl realized the logic and obviousness of the action. “I’m sorry.” Serenity whispered, hanging her head.

She was surprised when Isadore smiled warmly at her. “Do not worry about it. I have made the same mistake over and over again.” Serenity beamed at her. “What would you like me to do next?”

by **Serenity Kora** on May 26th, 2014, 10:31 am

Isadore held her hand out, and gingerly Serenity placed the rod into her hands. The girl held her breath as the other Konti examined it closely. She hoped the flaws wouldn't show and that Isadore wouldn't mind that it was unsymmetrical and had a lop-sided feel to it. Shifting nervously from one foot to the other, Serenity’s gaze darted from one end of the workshop to the other. “Put the fire off.” Her head snapped back to the older woman at the command. Doing as she was told, Serenity was curious. Didn't Isadore want to fix it? She did not believe that her amateur vase would fetch a high selling price.

Holding her tongue as she always did in these seemingly confusing events, Serenity watched her aunt as she carefully maneuvered the glass onto another rod. "This is called a Punty." Isadore answered, before Serenity had even posed the question. Serenity grinned. "How did you know I was going to say that?" she asked. "I've been living with you long enough to know that annoying habit of yours." When the older Konti turned to glare at her, Serenity smiled sweetly. It was a well-known fact that she asked entirely too many questions. She could not be at peace until all of the questions inside her curious mind had been answered. "What annoying habit, Isadore?" If looks could kill, Serenity would be smoldering by now.

Sighing, Isadore returned to work. She handed Serenity a pair of scissors. "Here. Trim the edge." Serenity took the scissors.

Her hands trembling finely, Serenity cut the lip of the glass, tentatively touching the warm glass. She was especially impressed with how the molten material could harden so quickly, so easily. The constant shaking of her arms meant that she couldn't cut straight, and the finished product was not symmetrical or even. Annoyed with herself for seeing the flaws, she stepped back, and waited for Isadore to finish the final steps.

With a confidence that made the actions flow with ease, Isadore cooled the glass a bit more before breaking it off. Then, cautiously, she carried the finished product over to the Anneal to cool off."Come by tomorrow if you want to see the finished product," the Konti called over her shoulders.

Serenity nodded, staring at the large black furnace. A giddy feeling filled her - she had created her own glass blown art!

"Isadore, when will it be finished?" she looked up. "Not soon, now, off you go. Come back tomorrow!"

Serenity rushed off before the other woman could complain.

by **Serenity Kora** on May 30th, 2014, 3:34 am

It was the sun’s harsh rays that woke her, the first feeling of warmth on Serenity’s pale skin. She jolted out of bed, rushing to put on her cloak. Running through the streets towards the House of Glass where Isadore worked. She greeted Silene, the shopkeeper. As always, the Konti woman looked frail and worn out. Serenity had always looked up to Silene like so many other art-loving Konti. Greeting her cheerfully, Serenity skipped into one of the workshops.

Isadore was already there, like she had promised, already busy in the workshop. Floating into it, she watched as Isadore elegantly flowed through all the steps, already, nearing the finish of another. Serenity stood at the entrance of the workshop, watching. She didn’t dare to go to the other woman as she felt out of place. Her agile movements, and obvious mastery over the art was apparent, and a stark contrast to her clumsy, bumbling movements the day before.

Finally, Isadore placed the glass into the Anneal. This one had a glimmering sheath of lime green, and was a delicate bowl.

Isadore motioned for her to come in, and pointed to a sparkling scarlet vase. The colour had richened, making it seem more vibrant and lively. Serenity could imagine it adorned with flowers sitting in the sun. Tentatively, she picked up the cold material, rubbing her hands over it.

Pride filled her as she held it in her hands. It was perhaps the first time she had ever made something of beauty, something that had a meaning outside of her child’s mind.