National Glass Centre, Sunderland

Ian making a vase. The glass is at a temperature of about 1000 degrees Centrgrade. It was 1100 when it came out of the furnace. He is shaping the glass with a wet fruit wood mould. The mould is left in water so it is very wet. When the hot glass touches the wet wood a layer of steam is produced so the mould doesn't burn. A pad of wet newspaper in the hand is also used to shape the glass and the same principle applies so amazingly the glassblowers hand doesn't get burned.