![An in-progress hot glass vase on it's side against the background of glass artist Brad Smith, who's tools are poised to work in it](http://clinkglassworks.com/cdn/shop/files/220608_Smith_social-82_copy.jpg?v=1659363465&width=3840)
About the Process
The Studio Flow
Creating objects with hot glass is a dance. The choreography and timing of our work has been perfected over years of practice and repetition. Teamwork is also a critical part of our flow, working in unison as a team of three.
![An oval shaped globe of hot glass drips into a bucket against the background of Brad Smith's glass shop](http://clinkglassworks.com/cdn/shop/files/220608_Smith_social-49_2.jpg?v=1659364088&width=1500)
Gathering Molten Glass
Glass is formed at 2100° Fahrenheit in a furance. Once it is gathered on the end of a steel pipe, the glass must be kept hot so that it can be manipulated.
![Brad smith seated at his glass blowing bench with a wet newsprint shaping a globe of hot glass.](http://clinkglassworks.com/cdn/shop/files/220608_Smith_social-128_2.jpg?v=1659364940&width=1500)
Forming Glass
Heat, gravity, and inflation are the primary tools we use to shape our glass.
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Transferring
A bit of glass on a solid rod is attached to the bottom of the cup before it is broken away from the original hollow blowpipe leaving an opening.
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Trimming
The rough edge of the lip is trimmed away leaving it thinner and more even.
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Final Shaping
The final shaping of the lip using metal tools and a wooden paddle to finish the lip.