Glass Blowing @ Onna Glass Factory

This weekend was the father/son camp out for the branch. Sadly, it rained a lot. Needless to say, Pete and Alex didn't go! We didn't let the rain stop us from other adventures though. On Saturday we went to Onna Glass factory where each of the kids were able to make their own Okinawa Blown glass. The history of Okinawa glass actually goes back to world war 2 when the American Soliders used so much glass, the Okinawan people would gather up the glass and melt it down and create glasses, art work, sinks, you name it. It quickly became and art form and has become well known in the Asian world.

Step 1: Get Melted glass out of (as Alex calls it) the glass lava pit. This is accomplished by turning the medal rod again and again. Notice the use of technical terms ;) As I was saying, turning the medal rod allows the melted glass to gather and glob on the end.

Step 2: Using a shaping bowl, roll the melted glass until it creates a perfect ball shape. If you do not completely understand the very nice Japanese guy who is helping you, kindly keep your hand loose so he can still quickly roll the medal rod and create a burning lava ball.

Step 3: Blow into the lava rod. Please do not just puff up your checks as this will not create a glass bubble. Blow hard, as Pete said, "It takes a lot of air!" If you simply do not understand the directions, your daddy will end up blowing for you.

Step 4: Sit on a bench and try to follow along as you are assisted with 1)blowing some more to create a bigger bubble as your first blow was simply to puny a blow. 2) shaping the bottom of your glass, 3)Using water to set the shape of the bottom of your glass, 4)creating a weak point which you will then 5)use to break the glass away from the medal rod at which point it magically happens to be connecting to another medal rod- a magic trick Mom was never actually able to see happen so I can't adequately explain.

Please note: If you are confused or simply concerned about the whole process, simply wear a disgruntled face and the helpers will do the work for you, all the while holding your hand in place to make you feel that you are accomplishing something.

Step 5: Burn the Glass again. Not sure what this does exactly except maybe make you really hot.

Step 6: sit on another bench where you will create a hole for an opening. Once the hole has been created, you will attempt to use the tools to create a beautifully finished edge. When you screw this up and you suddenly release the tool to fast the helpers will patiently refire the burning ball of glass and then assist you the second time with a bit more help all the while giving you very helpful tips in Japanese. If you decide this task is beyond your abilities, the helpers will simply hold your hand in place as they work as they want you to feel as if you did, in fact, create the whole glass yourself.

Step 7-? The Kind Japanese helpers then take the glass and remove it from the rod, do some more fire major and then cook it... or something. Not sure exactly. And then tada- you have yourself a glass you created (somewhat) by yourself :)