Contributed by Tony Delarm
It takes years of experience to master glass blowing and an even more creative mind to be successful. As cannabis retail facilities open across Alaska, a surge of glass hand pipes has hit the market, reducing price and offering more variety. These pipes are handy since they are easy to clean and small. But just how are these pipes made?
The average artist starts with a tube of glass, that is melted by a torch in the middle to begin the mouthpiece. As the glass cools, the artist can separate the tube into a “bulb” by actually breaking it in the weak point. This hole, that is shaped more like a cone now, is the beginning of the mouthpiece. Next, they begin working the middle by heating and stretching the neck. “Fuming, dichro, striping, wrap and rakes, caning, latticino, latticello, reticello, or the use of millefiore or murrine techniques (to name just a few) can be as simple or as complex as the artist desires and is capable of.” (Smoke Cartel, 2016)
As the glass is heated, the artist can shape and mold pieces like the “bowl” end and finish smoothing the glass all around. They can even “form” the bowl by simply pressing it against a hard, flat surface, creating a resting place on the bottom. In this stage is also where artists can use a “flare” technique to create swirls and effects.
While this obviously isn’t everything you need to know about how it’s done, a big point is how much time and work it takes. That’s what makes our Glass Liquidation Sale so special. We are selling high quality, glass “art”. Our glass will be on sale from May 15th-June 15th with a chance to get 50% off! At Alaskan Sweet Vapes, 224 N Yenlo St. Wasilla, Ak.
References: Smoke Cartel, (2016) How to Make a Cannabis Glass Hand Pipe: The Hands Behind the Flame, Retrieved May 2, 2019 from: https://www.leafly.com/news/strains-products/how-cannabis-glass-hand-pipes-are-made
