How To Buy Wholesale Glass Paperweight?

Will making a glass paperweight be hard for someone of my size and experience?

• I am a (petite) 15 year old girl. I will be taking a class on making glass paperweights this weekend. I've never dealt with hot glass before, and so I was wondering if it would be hard for me to make one, considering I am small and don't have a whole lot of strength. I mean I'm certainly strong, but is it enough? Will I be able to easily make a paperweight, or will it be difficult? Also, how exactly do you make one? I want to be prepared for what I've gotten myself into.

• Answer:

  You should be fine Be sure to have the appropriate permission slips or a parent take you to take care of liability I took two 6 week classes - one evening a week for 3 hours On the first class The first week we learned to gather glass and blow a bubble The second week We made paperweights The third week we made small glass bowels You will learn to gather glass from the furnace Shape the glass on a flat metal slab Reheat the glass in a glory hole Maybe add color in the form of frit or powder Add more clear glass - shape shape to cut off Maybe smooth with a torch The piece will need to be slowly cooled in an annealing cabinet or kiln It maybe a day or two until you may get your pieces You will be surprised how hot the glass is when you are shaping it Wear natural fabrics in your cloths - heaver removable layers will be good Protection from the heat Cotton is great At least this is my best guess