Flameworking by Elizabeth Mears (2005, Paperback)

I'd heard before buying this book that it was one of the better volumes on glass sculpture and general flameworking techniques. It's much more than that. It is a complete, comprehensive, step by step instruction manual of techniques that, although the author uses borosilicate glass throughout, are simple and easy to use for both hard and soft glass. There are sections that cover many of the more unusual typesof glass and the effects of heat on the final color of them, and the composition of the different types of borosilicate glass.

Using some of the techniques for working soft glass is a bit tricky but with a little practice any of the things shown can be done.

The quality of the pictures is absolutely excellent and the text is very easy to read. All of the instructions are very easy to follow. One only need remember the differences between using soft glass (very shocky by comparison)as compared to hard glass (borosilicate) and the results you can get will amaze you.

The one downside to this book is that it will make you really want to invest in an expensive borosilicate torch to start working with hard glass at once. Other than that it is a wonderful book full of inspiration and explanation for any and all glass artists of every level.