B

Batch - The mixed raw materials used in manufacturing glass that have been blended and proportionally mixed for delivery to the glass furnace.

Bending - A process whereby the shaped glass article still in sheet form is placed on a stainless steel, sheet steel or cast iron mold coated with talc or powdered chalk. The temperature is increased until the glass sheet sinks in to the mold.

Bits - Pieces of molten glass snipped off a blowpipe or punty rod and applied hot to a glass form.

Blank Mold - The metal mold in which the parison is formed.

Blank - Usually refers to a glass parison that is formed during the first step of glass molding. The piece is then transferred to a lamp worker or glass blower for final shape configuration.

Blanks - The mold parts used in all glass container machines for preliminary formation of glass in preparation for the most efficient completion of glass containers in the finish molds where bottles are blown. The blank forms the parison. The parison itself is at times referred to as the blank.

Blister - A gaseous inclusion or bubble in the glass.

Blobbing - The technique of decorating hot glass by dropping onto the surface blobs of molten glass, usually of a different color or colors.

Block - The forming tool used for the shaping of the molten glass. A block of wood hollowed out to form a hemispherical recess. After it has been dipped in water to reduce charring and to create a "cushion" of steam, the block is used to form the gather into a sphere, prior to inflation. The “Block” is usually made of cherry wood.

Blocker - The glass worker that actually “blows” the first bubble through the blowpipe and then subsequently transfers that blowpipe to the Gaffer.

Blower - The glass worker that blows the air through the blowpipe (within the mold or freehanded). Upon occasion, the gaffer might do the blowing of the air himself or herself to have more control.

Blowing - The technique of forming an object by inflating a glob of molten glass gathered on the end of the blowpipe. The gaffer blows through the tube, slightly inflating the glob, which is then manipulated into the required form by swinging it, rolling it on a marver, or shaping it with tools or in a mold; it is then inflated to the desired size.

Blowpipe - A steel pipe with a air passageway throughout its entire length. One end has the mouthpiece and the other has the larger built up area for the molten glass to gather and blow the bubble on.

Borosilicate Glass - A high silicate glass with at least 5% boron oxide.

Bubbles - A pocket of gas trapped in the "pit" glass during manufacture. The term is used for both bubbles introduced intentionally (also known air traps or beads) and bubbles trapped accidentally during the melting process. Very small bubbles are known as seeds. The hotter the molten glass along with the purity of the quality of the glass can greatly diminish this problem. While gathering the molten glass those bubbles will be transmitted to the actual art piece itself. Some artists do like the bubble effect and use them in their works by forcing a bubble. Installing bubbles may me made with a sharp object being punctured into the molten glass or countless other methods.

Bullions - One of the few forms of flat glass still produced by the hand process. Bullions or "bull' eyes" are used for decorative window glass and are made by reheating and spinning out a bowl-shaped piece of glass.

Burner - Runs the air and gas mixture control for lampworking.

Burn-mark - The residue left from the usage of a newspaper ash in the assistance of shaping of the molten glass.

Button - A small usually clear amount of molten glass placed on the “working end” of the art piece project to assure proper connection of the glass to the pipe to avoid dropping damage. A button may also be used as a part to the actual glass project to enhance a particular art piece.