What does “lampworking” mean?
Lampworking is an old term, used to describe the first torches used — oil lamps with a foot pump or other type of blow pipe to add oxygen to the oil flame and make the flame hotter. The flame was used to melt the glass into shapes, goblets, beads, etc. and this technique has been used since ancient times. Today, people use propane-oxygen torches. Natural gas or other similar fuel may be used alone or in combination with oxygen for a variety of torches on the market. While the term “lampwork” is still commonly used, it is now preferred to use terms such as flamework or torchwork to more aptly describe this technique or the resultant art (i.e. flameworked glass beads).
