100210 Glassblowers Alex Leader and Steve Gandolfo

Glass takes on an even shape as it is rolled across a metal table.

100210 Glassblowers Alex Leader and Steve Gandolfo

As the glass is worked it is kept very hot and about the consistency of thick honey.

100210 Glassblowers Alex Leader and Steve Gandolfo

The glass is carefully inspected by Alex.

100210 Glassblowers Alex Leader and Steve Gandolfo

Water flows onto the metal rod to keep it cool enough to handle.

100210 Glassblowers Alex Leader and Steve Gandolfo

Ground glass adds color to the molten glass ball before it is formed into a bowl.

100210 Glassblowers Alex Leader and Steve Gandolfo

Steve Gandolfo has his own glass blowing business with his wife in Sebastopol but frequently comes to Sonoma to assist Alex with his projects. Here Steve adds more color to the hot glass ball by rolling it in ground colored glass.

100210 Glassblowers Alex Leader and Steve Gandolfo

Kept constantly in motion by rolling, Alex blows air through the tube to expand the hollow glass ball.

100210 Glassblowers Alex Leader and Steve Gandolfo

Alex slides the bowl into the fire while Steve quickly opens the door.

100210 Glassblowers Alex Leader and Steve Gandolfo

Metal tongs are used to pinch the glass as it spins.

100210 Glassblowers Alex Leader and Steve Gandolfo

Steve blows more air into the bowl as Alex continues to spin and shape it.

100210 Glassblowers Alex Leader and Steve Gandolfo

The door to the kiln is held open with a metal rod as the bowl is once again plunged into the heat.

100210 Glassblowers Alex Leader and Steve Gandolfo

As the glass bowl is being formed it returns frequently into the intense heat of the fire to keep it pliable.

100210 Glassblowers Alex Leader and Steve Gandolfo

Alex cuts the still scalding hot bowl free from the metal rod as Steve prepares to carry it over to the kiln where it will cool slowly overnight.

100210 Glassblowers Alex Leader and Steve Gandolfo

While the glass is hot it can be stretched and snipped and shaped to form the hook on top of the ornament.

100210 Glassblowers Alex Leader and Steve Gandolfo

These unusually shaped scissors are used to cut the end off of what will soon be a holiday ornament.