Lampworking | Galaxy Marble w/ Opal | Glass blowing | The Fusing Shop

In today's glass blowing lampworking video, I make a really cool galaxy marble with an encased opal. The material is borosilicate glass.
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This amazing marble is not too hard to make and teaches you a bunch of useful lampworking techniques that you can use for many projects.
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0:00 - Intro
0:20 - Showing the glass and tools
1:00 - Lampworking glass blowing technique encasing opal
3:55 - Working the fumed cane
6:25 - Applying the cobalt blue backing
9:08 - Lampworking technique shaping a marble 1st half
10:51 - Attaching the opal and glass for the lens
12:51 - Rounding the 2nd half
16:01 - Rounding the marble in a graphite marble mold
18:08 - Final shaping
#lampworking
#glassblowing
ILGM LINK: ilgm.com?aff=6341
PATREON: www.patreon.com/user?u=55033937
INSTAGRAM: / fusingshop
WEBSITE: thefusingshop.com/
FACEBOOK: / thefusingshop

[@FusingShop]

Photos of finished pieces are available at my website, www.thefusingshop.com. There is a gallery on the homepage if you scroll down and you can find all the finished pieces from my videos. I'm sorry I didn't include it in this one =(.

[@jowoolnough2123]

Like the fact that I could hear you and not a loud torch like your last video - this was ace 😃

[@FusingShop]

Thanks for the comment. Yeah, I think I'll redo that video with a voice-over. Keep the comments coming!

[@FusingShop]

I re-uploaded the three pendants video last night with a voice-over. Check it out!

[@JT-ww5df]

I appreciate all the added information ( like safety) along with the tutorial!

[@FusingShop]

Hey JT! Thanks so much for the feedback. I'm hopefully going to be doing a remake of this video. All the best! Sim

[@adamrobinson7248]

Awesome. I made one right along with you. It came out decent for not having a marble mold. I used one of my stainless steel rings instead. Oh and I used a cubic zirconia instead of an opal because that's all I had and I read on torch talk that it would work.

[@FusingShop]

Hey Adam! That's awesome! I'd love to see how it came out. Would you be ok with emailing me a picture? [e-mail] Interesting about the cubic zirconia. I haven't heard that you can use them with glass before. I have to give that a shot. Hope you have an awesome day! Sim

[@mattpfeifer9302]

This is awesome work ans prooduction quality. I appreciate how it was start to finish 20 minutes uncut and is great for production or trying new techniques. Time to get melting

[@FusingShop]

Thanks for the comment. If you live in the NJ area come on by!

[@samuelelrod1931]

Your dad really solidified my choice to subscribe and comment, thank you sir for your time, knowledge, and fantastic dad joke.

[@FusingShop]

Lol thanks! I'm going to make them a regular part of my videos.

[@samuelelrod1931]

@@FusingShop prime :D

[@ActivistTigers]

Thanks man. I am excited to try these for a few days.

[@FusingShop]

Hey! Yeah they are super fun and look awesome. Send me some photos, [e-mail] All the best! Sim

[@actionjackson9554]

Ty awesome art medium..the way you present is great.. YOUR voice is a great educational support inspiration. Makes me want to try this medium ....

[@FusingShop]

Thank you so much 😀

[@xMeatbalL420x]

Handle the opals with tweezer, the oil from your hands will produce a visible scuzz when its encased.

[@FusingShop]

That is a genius idea. Thanks!

[@GunGuy258]

Especially black opal! Clean with windex and use tweezers. Black opal will disappear behind the scuzz if handled with your fingers.

[@baddonkey75]

Alot of that is operator error anyway, glassblowers look for any excuse to their glass malfunctions that isn't their responsibility.

[@TroyFaganPhotography]

Really liked the video. Only word of advice.. Would have been cool to see the marble once it was out of the kiln.

[@TroyFaganPhotography]

I see it’s on the cover photo but would have been cool to get a closer look in the video. 👍🏼👍🏼

[@FusingShop]

@@TroyFaganPhotography Yeah I figured the thumbnail would be enough but I'll make it a point to show the finished piece after it is annealed. The problem is that after I make the piece, I have to start another video the next day which doesn't always happen ;).

[@ceramicfish4934]

Great video

[@FusingShop]

Thanks!

[@YehoshuaD]

The production quality is just getting better and better!

[@FusingShop]

Going to keep pushing myself to make things better.

[@JustAnotherAlchemist]

I greatly appreciate that you were showing how to work with glass while also not making drug paraphernalia. That is, apparently, very rare on KZbin. I like glass, not drugs.

[@FusingShop]

Hey Charles! Thanks for your comment. I try to make videos on a bunch of different glassworking projects and techniques. Some of my videos are pipe-making videos, but I love showing how to make marbles, beads, figurines, shot glasses, and many other fun glass projects.

[@gregorycook9476]

You do fantastic work my friend, both with the glass and your videos . Someday I hope to be able to create beautiful marbles as the ones you've made.

[@FusingShop]

Hey Gregory! Thanks so much for your kind comment 😊. I'm always looking to improve on my content so if you have any ideas feel free to let me know. Do you blow glass or just a fan? All the best! Sim

[@gregorycook9476]

@FusingShop hey Greg here, no I don't currently blow glass but I'm interested in the art. I'm an artist myself and like everything about art and what you do is truly art. I'm planing on trying my hand at glass blowing soon.

[@FusingShop]

@@gregorycook9476 Cool stuff my friend. Let me know if you'd like to get into glass work. I can help you get a setup going with all the essentials. All the best! Sim

[@gregorycook9476]

@FusingShop definitely interested and would love your assistance.

[@FusingShop]

@@gregorycook9476 Sure. Let's be in touch via email, [e-mail]

[@kylemyers6567]

Been messing around with implosions for a few months now and im a marble addict, this has some high quality tips in it thank you sir

[@FusingShop]

Hi Kyle and welcome to The Fusing Shop community! let's see some of those implosions, [e-mail].

[@kylemyers6567]

@@FusingShop totally would but im located near Chicago so it is a bit of a drive but I would love to check the studio out sometime

[@FusingShop]

@@kylemyers6567 Email over some pics so we can see your progress.

[@andreagriffiths3512]

Fascinating!

[@FusingShop]

Thanks!

[@enricolambrusco2449]

great demo. its special to be able to actually see what you are doing. so many demos are impossible to see what they are doing. loved the joke insert. lol

[@FusingShop]

Hey Enrico! Thanks for the kind comments. I do my best to show all the details so people can really understand how to make the piece.

[@benclock5480]

Thank you for providing a free space to learn techniques before hitting the torch! Very helpful

[@FusingShop]

Hey Ben! You're welcome! And thanks for the thank you.

[@gregorycook9476]

Nice dad jokes! Makes me miss my dad.😊

[@FusingShop]

Hi Gregory! I here you. I lost my mom over 20 years ago and there's not a day that goes by that I don't think of her.... Tough stuff my friend. All the best! Sim

[@DavidHands]

This is great! Working with glass with minimal tools or special equipment. I got to try this.

[@FusingShop]

Hi David! Lampworking can be super fun and satisfying. There are some upfront costs to get started but after the initial investment, the materials are affordable. Let me know if you need any help.

[@sethacowell]

Thank you for the videos! I am starting the journey myself and these videos are a good way to learn and do something while I am saving for my studio!!!!

[@FusingShop]

You are welcome my friend! Send me some photos and I'll give you a shout out in one of my upcoming videos.

[@michaelfawkes4586]

you are awesome., thank you for the videos I have wanted my entire life to know how to do what you do thank you again

[@FusingShop]

Thanks for the comment Michael. Are you going to be getting into lampworking?

[@dnethercott]

Thanks very much. I appreciate you getting back to me. 😊

[@FusingShop]

No problem! All the best! Sim

[@antalyasuat]

Thanks for sharing

[@FusingShop]

Thanks Suat! I'm posting my new videos on my Patreon page. They are better quality and you can learn to make a bunch of new projects. www.patreon.com/fusingshop

[@brigittekleynnaert1123]

Thank you for sharing . 🔥🔥👌

[@FusingShop]

Always happy to share what knowledge I have.

[@ducksauce2746]

Sweet vid

[@FusingShop]

Thanks!

[@shyglassart]

Awesome! 😎

[@FusingShop]

Thanks! What kind of glass work are you into?

[@brettbarrett2533]

Happy to find your page. Great production quality. It really is a pleasure seeing the boro be worked verse staring into a sodium flare while someone talks lol. Marbles are addicting to make. Endless varieties and techniques to try! Thanks for sharing regularly.

[@FusingShop]

Hey Brett and welcome to The Fusing Shop community! I appreciate your kind words. Yeah, marbles are my favorite glass piece to make. I haven't uploaded in a while since my son was in the hospital and he's been recovering the past few months. Please consider becoming a sponsor on my Patreon page, www.patreon.com/fusingshop. Feel free to reach out with any questions. Sim

[@anim8ormatt]

Awesome. I want to do this so badly

[@kytran5884]

great video! thank you for sharing. Just staring to take interested in glass blowing myself so these videos are super helpful!

[@FusingShop]

Hi Ky! Thank you for your kind comment. I hope to be posting more videos soon. Right now I've been re-organizing my shop so I'm looking forward to getting back on the torch.

[@brendalafreniere9506]

That is beautiful. I love the way you explain everything and talk to people like they may not have the experience. You are teaching and easy to watch and listen to. Thank you. I make pendants with the fusing inside but I may try to incorporate opals now. You mentioned that you may do a video on making your fused cane. If you have done one, I would love to see it. If could send me the link I would very much appreciate it.

[@FusingShop]

Thank you for your kind comment Brenda! My approach is to show everything in every video in case people haven't seen the earlier ones. I have not done the fused cane video yet. I have a ton of videos to record and post. Hopefully soon!

[@user-jw9xu9zr2q]

Hi! Was there a video with a cane? Thanks!

[@apismellifera1000]

Like to make a torch that burns HHO gas from water broken down from electrolysis. A while back I made a marble and the heat source used to melt the glass is a 62'' spot Fresnel lens from the screen of a projection TV

[@FusingShop]

Wow, that sounds really cool. Fresnel lenses are amazing in how they can focus light.

[@apismellifera1000]

@@FusingShop I like to have one 10 or 12 foot square

[@clift1006]

Thank you for sharing. Nice great job! Is it possible or any way to put an animal fur inside the galaxy as well?

[@FusingShop]

Hello! I've never seen anything like that done before. I assume it would burn up on contact with the glass. All the best! Sim

[@Raittway]

If I could only learn this. I love art glass and stained glass. I only learned to make stained glass sun catchers. Thank you for sharing this amazing art demonstration.

[@FusingShop]

Stained glass is awesome! Did you solder it or use a different method?

[@Raittway]

@@FusingShop Copper foil and solder

[@FusingShop]

@@Raittway So cool! Send some pics to [e-mail] and I can put them in one of my upcoming videos.

[@Raittway]

@@FusingShop at the moment, they are in storage. I moved to Florida after divorce and kids grew up and left. So much stuff to pack! I wish I could start creating here, nowhere to work with glass. When I unpack the correct box, I promise to send you a pic. 😊

[@FusingShop]

@@Raittway ​Life sure can be crazy. I'm remarried and we have a blended family so things are involved with us. Anyway, always happy to see what others are creating and looking forward to seeing your artwork.

[@carolgouyer]

Dear, Thank you very much for your video. I am a hobby flameworker and I want to learn to make that bead from some years. I am french from the carribean. I already have the boro, rode, tube and opal. My difficulty is to make the fuming. you speak about fume cane. Where I can buy that or how to make it ? Can I make it with silver and gold leaf ? iI ask where I bought my boro and opal in usa but they did not propose me a “fume cane”. Thank you to share and for your help. Best regards.

[@FusingShop]

I don't think anyone sells fumed cane, but it is easy to make yourself. Here is the video on the cane I made for this marble: kzbin.info/www/bejne/gKKxnnypndpsiqc

[@ejgrace420]

That was awesome I love opals incised in glass whether it's a marble or pipe or rig. I noticed you have a lense on your go pro so we are pretty much seeing the flame and glass the same way you do. I wished you showed us this when you were finished. And I just realized I watched 1 of your 1st video you put on KZbin like a year or so ago now it was your junk marble video. It was in my feed randomly I like to watch glass blowing. I messaged you on ig but never heard back from you. I only asked because you mentioned a bubbler n didn't know what 1 you were talking about. And I didn't know if you had everything on your page or when you update the items. Didn't know if you had more items you were interested in selling or giving. Thanks again and I hope to hear from you. And I asked about the color glass because you told me you make custom pieces and was curious if you only work with clear n 1 color or if you work with designer glass like thoughs examples.

[@FusingShop]

Going to check my IG and be in touch on there.

[@tonyx9359]

very nice

[@FusingShop]

Thanks Tony!

[@benjaminmatte5225]

Cool marble and great vid

[@FusingShop]

Thanks Benjamin! All the best! Sim

[@kindjordan]

Great Video. Do you have one for the fumed cane?

[@FusingShop]

Thanks for the comment! Yes, I took the video already. I have to edit it and upload. I'm hoping to have it done sometime this week.

[@kindjordan]

@@FusingShop Awesome. I appreciate you spreading your knowledge!

[@FusingShop]

@@kindjordan Just posted the cane vid kzbin.info/www/bejne/gKKxnnypndpsiqc

[@magdazofia2474]

Hi! I’ve taken a few lessons a while ago, and for some reason I am SO drawn to do lamp working again. I weirdly can’t stop thinking about it. Great vids. Keep going!! Love the idea of doing a dad joke every episode. If I can make a suggestion.. only if you have time.. it would be excellent to see a shot at the end, once the marble has cooled down, of a well-lit closeup of how it turned out. If you rotate it in your hand in front a light or something…… it’s always fascinating to see how it looks once it’s cooled. Thanks for you sharing your knowledge!

[@FusingShop]

Welcome madga zofia! Suggest away! I love hearing what you guys want to see and/or what I can do better. I'll try to get a shot of the finished pieces. It's tricky with glass because thick marbles like this one need to be annealed before they cool down or they'll crack.

[@ignoranceisbliss27]

@@FusingShop they mean shots of it when it is out of the kiln, like a photoshoot of sorts, as the only image of the marble post kiln is the thumbnail. In regards suggestion for videos, here's mine: the voiceover is great, but the volume is quite low (observation, not a complaint) compared to the animations for the 👍🏽and 🔔 that are so extremely loud (not just an observation, but also a complaint as I almost left the video entirely), please either remove the sound entirely, as the visual is sufficient, or at the very least, please turn the volume down to match your voiceover so it doesn't blare in comparison?

[@FusingShop]

@@ignoranceisbliss27 Hey Super! Thanks for the helpful comments. I'm going to take out the animation sounds for future videos. As far as shots of finished pieces go, you can find them on my website, www.thefusingshop.com. They are all on the homepage gallery =). Again I appreciate the feedback and I'm always looking to make better content for all my awesome viewers. Much love.

[@ignoranceisbliss27]

@@FusingShop thank you for implementing the suggestion about the audio, as well as your general openness to input. Having read your last comment, I'd also suggest combining the two, wherein you include some photos or video of the finished piece AND include a direct link to the piece in the video description that has more photos and videos available for viewing so you maximize exposure to both the piece and also your website.

[@FusingShop]

@@ignoranceisbliss27 Good suggestions! You gotta be open to hearing from other people. People like you help me make my content and channel even better so it goes both ways.

[@nugorra]

Would love to see a team of your marbles in the Marble League. Just out of curiosity if they could outperform the other marbles.

[@FusingShop]

Hey Nugorra! That is a fantastic idea! I wonder if they would be up for that....

[@teacaman]

Love your videos! Did you make the fumed cane or is this something that can be purchased? If you made the fumed cane I’d love to see how that is done! Thanks again for sharing your knowledge and making these videos!

[@FusingShop]

Hey Teacaman! I made the cane myself. Here is the video: kzbin.info/www/bejne/gKKxnnypndpsiqc . Please consider becoming a sponsor on Patreon, www.patreon.com/fusingshop

[@cwayne2833]

Great videoo

[@imlinhai]

This is a beautiful artwork. Why did it end up in the kiln?

[@FusingShop]

Thank you! All glass must go into a kiln to be annealed. It removes the stress from the glass after you bend, twist, pull, & push it. You need to keep the glass happy and get rid of that stress or your piece can crack.

[@imlinhai]

@@FusingShop thank you

[@speedingpullet7400]

Do you do Dad Jokes every vid? If so, subscribed! :-)

[@FusingShop]

Hi Speedingpullet!! Lol, not every video that I made has a dad joke, but now that I know that someone else appreciates them perhaps I'll make them part of each video. Thanks for subscribing!!

[@ghiugv]

Hello, I was wondering what glasses you use for glass blowing and what hardness glass you were using for this video as well as what temperature are you annealing at, im trying to learn how to glass blow so I have alot of questions lol

[@FusingShop]

Hi Adriana! You need didymium glasses to protect your eyes from the sodium flare. If you are working with a lot of color, then get a darker shade since certain colors burn very brightly. I anneal at 1,050 F and drop to 850 F to remove stress.

[@carolgouyer]

Hi, thanks for video. How we can make a style of vortex in a glass bead (on a mandrel) ? 😜

[@FusingShop]

Hey Lacaro! Thanks for your question. Honestly, I don't do a lot of bead-making. Maybe someone who does glass beads can chime in here and help us out.

[@robertnewman8824]

How long have you learned to this level

[@FusingShop]

Hi Robert! I've been lampworking for about five years now and I'm still learning new things all the time. The question really is, how much time do you want to invest in learning to make this piece? If you make the same piece over and over again, you'll get very good at it. The problem is that you only developed that one skill. Your first stop would be to learn to gather glass and make a round marble. Once you've mastered that you can move on to using color in your designs. Next, learn how to encase opals. Next stop would be learning how to fume. Once you've developed all those skills you'll be ready to make this piece.

[@americanrebel413]

So you didn't show the final product! I was looking forward to it.

[@FusingShop]

My apologies. I have corrected the error of my ways and all my later videos have the finished pieces at the end. You can see it in my photo gallery at www.thefusingshop.com . It's on the homepage just scroll down to the gallery.

[@daytonpyro]

wanted to see the final marble lol

[@FusingShop]

Yes! My apologies that I didn't put it at the end of the video. You can visit my website, www.thefusingshop.com and the marble is in the gallery on the homepage. Also on Instagram, @fusingshop. All the best! Sim

[@derrickhampton5254]

I would like to get into this could your provide a list of things one would need to get started please!?

[@FusingShop]

Hey Derrick! Please email [e-mail] for more information. Also, are you looking for a complete list, or do you already have some stuff?

[@derrickhampton5254]

Fusing Shop the whole deal I have nothing but a marble mold.

[@FusingShop]

@@derrickhampton5254 Ok. Send me an email, [e-mail], and I'll send you a list.

[@tightpockets1]

Nice marble. When I try this style sometimes the fume turns mostly white sometimes decent amount of blue. Everyone says use less silver to get blues, does the psi of your oxygen/ propane matter much?

[@FusingShop]

Hey Tightpockets! First of all, I love your name. The PSI doesn't really matter. Fuming takes a lot of practice to get good colors. What kind of torch are you using? Yes, Silver fume can give you yellows, blues, & milky whites. Keep tinkering with your flame chemistry until you get the results you want. Make sure to preheat your glass before you fume.

[@tightpockets1]

@@FusingShop Thank you man! Its a nickname from online poker. So it turns out I had my propane turned down way to much (2psi lol) and I adjusted that to 15 psi. My oxy is at 30psi. Using a midrange plus burner and now Im getting great color just with silver fume. Also I found out using tubing instead of solid rod made a big difference. Ive been watching your vids for awhile they are awesome for learning keep it up brother

[@FusingShop]

@@tightpockets1 I set my propan regulator at 8 psi. 2 is definitely too low. Oxygen should be set according to your torch manufacturer's instructions. That's awesome that you are getting better results! Send some photos to [e-mail]. All the best! Sim

[@tightpockets1]

@@FusingShop Thanks for the response. I will send some photos soon. After a lot of practice I can consistently get good color out of fume, but have an issue not whiting out bigger marbles. Im on a midrange plus and its much faster to shape marbles on the bottom burner, Ive been trying to use a neutral flame (not sure if this is correct) holding the piece as far back in the flame as I can without it taking forever. The fume tends to white out at the end right before I can finish shaping. With smaller marbles I use almost neutral flame but adjust it so its lighter blue color ie less intense flame and get the color to stay easier. What flame type would you recommend for bigger pieces and should I maybe just use the bottom burner minimally then switch to the top burner?

[@FusingShop]

@@tightpockets1 Are you encasing the fume? That's the best way to protect the colors.

[@grand_master_glass]

where can we see the finished work?

[@FusingShop]

Hi! You can visit my website, thefusingshop.com/ and I have a gallery on the homepage. I see you are also into glass blowing and I just subscribed to your channel =).

[@cageiser]

Any apprenticeship openings?

[@FusingShop]

Hello! I offer people one on one lessons if they would like to learn. Do you live in NJ? Where are you located?

[@dnethercott]

Can you please help me? What is the "opal"? Is it around dichroic bead, genuine opal or what? Where do you get them?

[@FusingShop]

Hello! You need synthetic opals. Gilson makes them: www.mountainglass.com/boro-glass-33-coe/opals

[@riversideartglass]

I try not to touch the opal with my bare hands after I clean it. Through the years I have noticed that a lot of my imperfections in my work was because of finger oils & cleaning

[@FusingShop]

Wow a comment from the J man himself! Welcome to the Fusing Shop Community =). Yeah, I agree that you should not touch the opals with bare hands. And you're 100% correct in the fact that your fingers do leave oil on the glass and this in turn causes optical defects. My main type of work is in scientific cuvettes with have to be 100% optically clear and free of most defects to be used in laboratories. All the best! Sim

[@melissaforester6462]

I am just learning how to do it and like I said before but I erased the comment I'm learning how to do it with just propane only and I don't have a kiln so what would work instead of a kiln because I am homeless and broke and trying to do this cuz I really like it liked it my whole life

[@FusingShop]

Hey Melissa! Can you send me a link to what you are using? [e-mail]. I'm sorry to hear about your situation. I hope things improve for you soon.

[@daedric5879]

How do you melt the fumed glass without the fume burning off

[@FusingShop]

What's up Daedric? I'm assuming you're referring to silver fume. Silver fume can be burned off if the flame has too much oxygen. A reducing flame should help the fume "pop," so you can see more colors. Encasing fume in clear is the best way to prevent it from burning off.

[@daedric5879]

@@FusingShop ah, thank you

[@FusingShop]

@@daedric5879 You got it!

[@AvengeBasketball]

Do you sell it?

[@bumbared71]

Boro glass?

[@FusingShop]

Yes, it's boro.

[@premji4282]

How much price for 20 piece

[@FusingShop]

Hi! Let me see the cost of the glass and I'll get back to you. Let's be in touch via email, [e-mail]. Thanks!!

[@FrankGiuliani]

Where's the result???

[@FusingShop]

It's in the thumbnail, but here is an instagram of it instagram.com/p/CLkrct4peGq/?

[@FrankGiuliani]

@@FusingShop Thanks! We lack these skills in Belgium, good art has become scares.

[@MRFREZZESLUSH]

Audio needs to be louder, I can hear you but barely and my phones on 100

[@FusingShop]

Hello! Noted. I'll check into that. All the best! Sim

[@MRFREZZESLUSH]

@@FusingShop hell yeah man, thought the video was great I hate when I can hear the loud ass vents in the back

[@FusingShop]

@@MRFREZZESLUSH Lol I hear ya.

[@juergenbusch289]

Nice guy, but presentation totally confusing! Opal? What for - not a word about it! Sorry, not happy!

[@FusingShop]

Yes, I am a nice guy 😃. Not sure why you're not happy about a free video, not much for you to loose. Your comment, not happy.