Glassblowing is a very hands-on trade that is typically mastered through experience, but it can still be helpful to reference guidelines and projects completed by other people in the trade.
Whether you are a beginner or advanced glassblower, there is a glassblowing book that can benefit your particular interests and needs. Beginner glassblowers can build a solid foundation in the glassblowing trade by referencing credible books.
Advanced or professional blacksmiths who need inspiration may be interested in new kinds of projects, which can easily be acquired from books written by professional glassblowers and glass makers.
The following list comprises some of the most useful glassblowing book recommendations for glassblowers of varying experience levels.
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Recommended for: Beginner-Advanced Glassblowers
Beginning Glassblowing by Edward T. Schmid is a popular book among glassblowers. The author is very knowledgeable of the glassblowing craft. This book describes all of the important aspects of blowing glass using a furnace. He lists the tools needed to carry out glassblowing projects. The techniques he uses are thoroughly explained and professionally executed.
The illustrations and text found in this book are both hand-illustrated, giving it a very personal touch. These illustrations are very helpful for those following along with a project and the text is very easy to read. Shmid covers a breadth of information that is perfect for beginner glassblower, as the title would suggest.
Despite the novice aspect of some of the information, this book can serve as a great reference book for glassblowers of all experience levels.
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Recommended for: Beginner Glassblowers
The Art of Fire by James Mckelvey is another great beginner’s book. This book is made up of vivid illustrations and explains everything one needs to know about the basics of glassblowing.
Because of its level of detail, it can act as a great supplement to a glass studio class, much like a textbook on the matter. The author includes a very helpful troubleshooting section that can be invaluable to someone experiencing the same issues with their glasswork, but having trouble overcoming them. The author’s writing style in the text is very easy and clear to read.
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Recommended for: Intermediate-Advanced Glassblowers
Scientific Glassblowing by E.L. Wheeler is a classic glassworking book. This book acts as a helpful guide that demonstrates the glassblowing process step-by-step. The most useful aspect of this book is the detailed illustrations. The author of this book has a very technical background, which contributes a unique, scientific tone to the information presented within.
Since this book is such an in-depth guide, it is a fantastic reference book for glassworkers of different skill levels and even chemistry departments. The author covers a range of topics in this book, including the history of glass and the types of glass.
The general aspects of glassblowing and the equipment needed to complete certain projects are also described in detail.
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Recommended for: Beginner-Advanced Glassblowers
Glassblowing by Harvey K. Littleton is a rare find. The author has a strong academic background in art research and is well-known for creating a method of glassworking at lower temperature conditions.
This revolutionary method allows one to melt glass inside a small studio rather than in a factory. Therefore, he was a major player in the movement that led to the inclusion of glassworking in many university craft programs.
This book is a great read for glassblowers who are genuinely interested in the intrinsic art aspect of the trade. While this book may describe technology or methods that are now outdated, it is a fantastic way to look into the history of the craft glass movement of the 1960s.
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Recommended for: Beginner-Advanced Glassblowers
Backyard Glassblowing by Lauren Wingert provides an autobiographical point of view regarding the initial set-up of her backyard glassblowing studio. The material of value to take away from this book is the business aspect of opening a new studio.
The author thoroughly details the process of setting up her private hot shop with all the necessary equipment, but also relays the important steps she takes to launch her business. These steps include marketing, an effective business model, and the art of selling your art.
Winger includes monthly budget and capital cost information that can be invaluable for those trying to start their own glassblowing business.
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Recommended for: Beginnner-Advanced Glassblowers
Glassblowing by Homer L. Hoyt is a classic book found in the library of many glassworkers. This book is already out-of-print, but it covers glassworking concepts and “10 Lessons” that still apply to today’s regularly used glassworking methods.
This is a great book for beginner and advanced glassworkers, because it provides a solid foundation in the craft while simultaneously explaining every concept in a level of detail that skilled glassworkers would appreciate. The text is also accompanied by helpful drawings to give the reader visual context of the methods described.
The topics included in this book range from safety and equipment recommendations that will benefit someone who wants to learn more about getting started in the trade.
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Recommended for: Beginner-Intermediate Glassblowers
A Glassblower’s Companion by Dudley F. Giberson is a great book for glassworkers and people interested in the general theory behind glassworking principles. This majority of this book also focuses on the equipment needed to carry out glassworking projects as well as properly maintaining the equipment.
The intended audience of the book are glassworkers who would like to build their own glassworking studio and be able to conduct maintenance on their equipment. This is not a very technical book on glassworking, but a very practical guide for setting up your own studio.
Beginner to intermediate glassworkers would benefit the most from the information found in this book.
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Recommended for: Beginner-Intermediate Glassblowers
Advanced Glassworking Techniques is another great glassblowing book by Edward T. Schmid. This book targets a more advanced glassworking audience. This book, like the one previously listed, is also completely hand-written and hand-illustrated for print, giving the book a unique overall style.
The information covered in the text still includes basic information about glassblowing, but it also adds onto them by discussing special techniques. These techniques include Venetian-style glassblowing techniques, moldblowing, and solidworking. The author does a great job of simplifying the concepts and getting his message across in a clear and casual tone that is engaging for readers.
Overall, this book could be a great reference book for many glassworkers.
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Recommended for: Intermediate-Advanced Glassblowers
Laboratory Scientific Glassblowing by Paul Le Pinnet is a very technically-focused glassblowing book for beginner to advanced glassblowers and even lampworkers.
The information contained in the text has been curated by the contribution of a variety of scientists and expert glassworkers with vast experience in the glassblowing craft. The main author actually has over 50 years of experience in glassworking. The text elevates the concepts and glassworking methods that were introduced in the past to the 21st century.
This can be observed in the discussion of new technologies and skills that are more suitable for modern-day applications and art. Although the text can be very technical, it describes projects with a hands-on approach. This feature allows readers to follow the text step-by-step while working on a particular project in a safe and practical manner.
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Recommended for: Intermediate-Advanced Glassblowers
Life on the Rails by Steven Ciezki is a great supplement to a hot shop class. The concepts presented in the book are easy to understand and follow. The text is accompanied by detailed pictures and helpful descriptions of the steps in the glassworking process.
The furnace glass techniques explained in the text are another valuable aspect of this book. There is a troubleshooting section that can help glassblowers of all skill levels improve their problem-solving skills and elevate their understanding of the craft. This book particularly focuses on building upon the foundation of beginner to intermediate glassblowers.
The illustrations found within the text are clear and expand upon the useful descriptions that accompany them. This book is a great reference book for many glassblowers.
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