The Glassblower

In the village of Lauscha in Germany, things have been done the same way for centuries. The men blow the glass, and the women decorate and pack it. But when Joost Steinmann passes away unexpectedly one September night, his three daughters must learn to fend for themselves. While feisty Johanna takes a practical approach to looking for work, Ruth follows her heart, aiming to catch the eye of a handsome young villager. But it is dreamy, quiet Marie who has always been the most captivated by the magic—and sparkling possibilities—of the craft of glassblowing. As the spirited sisters work together to forge a brighter future for themselves on their own terms, they learn not only how to thrive in a man's world, but how to remain true to themselves—and their hearts—in the process.

This fascinating book explores the life of a colonial glassblower and his importance to the community, as well as everyday life, responsibilities, and social practices during that time.

By the Winner of the Hans Christian Andersen Medal for Lifetime Achievement in Children’s Literature Albert the Glassblower and Sofia are the loving parents of little Klas and Klara. Albert makes the most beautiful glass bowls and vases (unfortunately they are so impractical that no one will buy them), while Sofia supports the family by working in the fields. Every year Albert goes to the fair to try to sell his wares, and sometimes Sofia and the children go too. At the fair the family meets Flutter Mildweather, a weaver of magical rugs that foretell the future, and Klas and Klara come the attention of the splendid Lord and Lady of All Wishes Town, who have everything they want except for one thing: children. Full of curious and vivid characters—like the one-eyed raven Wise Wit, who can only see the bright side of life, and the monstrous governess Nana, whose piercing song can shatter glass—The Glassblower’s Children also ponders such serious matters as what it means to find meaningful work and the difference between what you want and what you need. In The Glassblower’s Children Maria Gripe has drawn on fairy tales and Norse myths to tell a thrilling story with a very modern sensibility.

Venice, 1681. Glassblowing is the lifeblood of the Republic, and Venetian mirrors are more precious than gold. Jealously guarded by the murderous Council of Ten, the glassblowers of Murano are virtually imprisoned on their island in the lagoon. But the greatest of the artists, Corradino Manin, sells his methods and his soul to the Sun King, Louis XIV of France, to protect his secret daughter. In the present day his descendant, Leonora Manin, leaves an unhappy life in London to begin a new one as a glassblower in Venice. As she finds new life and love in her adoptive city, her fate becomes inextricably linked with that of her ancestor and the treacherous secrets of his life begin to come to light.

Greta's life is carefree until the abrupt disappearance of her elder sister. After that, all her courage can't save her from the sinister shadows that engulf her. Even when she finds a way out betrayal and treachery threaten her. This is a wonderful first novel and Greta is a winning heroine. The writing is powerful, lyrical and funny... (Rebecca Smith, author of A Bit of Earth (Bloomsbury, London 2006; paperback edition, 2007)

Johanna, the oldest of the three Steinmann sisters, has successfully managed the family glassblowing business since her father's death, and her sister Marie's artistic gifts have made their wares unexpectedly famous. But now the livelihood of the town of Lauscha, Germany--known around the world as the "paradise of glass"--is in danger. The local glassworks is about to be sold, and rumor has it the buyer wants to make changes that will challenge glassblowing tradition. Wanda, the daughter of the middle Steinmann sister, is freshly arrived from America and engaged to an ambitious local glassblower. Yet as soon as the bold young woman learns of the impending sale, she decides to do as her mother and aunts did--cast aside her expected role in order to save the day. With the help of a handsome bank clerk, she will take a daring risk with the villagers' hard-earned money. Just like glass, though, love and commerce are fragile, and what begins as their last hope may just end in shattered dreams.

Tempestuous and beautiful Wanda Miles, daughter of Ruth and Stephen Miles (or so she thinks), aspires to more than the life of a debutante, but the trouble is she doesn't know precisely what she wants. Then her aunt Marie, the family's renowned glassblower, arrives from Lauscha, Germany, and Wanda decides that learning about her ancestry may hold the key to her future. When Marie accidentally reveals a long-held secret about Wanda's parents, Wanda goes to Lauscha to unravel the truth. While Marie finds herself increasingly swept up in New York City's bohemian social scene—catching the eye of a handsome young Italian in the process—Wanda explores a past she never knew in the village of her mother's youth—and begins to build a life that she never expected. A sweeping tale that takes readers from the small town of Lauscha to the skyscrapers of New York and the sun-kissed coast of Italy,The American Lady is a tribute to the enduring power of family and what we'll do in the name of love.

This book explains and demonstrates the methods involved in scientific glassblowing. It describes elementary to advanced glass manipulation together with technical information on its safe use and development in the laboratory. Editor Paul Le Pinnet (MBE), a scientific glassblower with over 50 years' experience in the field, experts in glassblowing are brought together to explain their methods and approaches used to produce a variety of glassware. Laboratory Scientific Glassblowing is a unique project which updates and develops the traditional art of glassblowing and brings it into the 21st century. New skills and materials are introduced, including descriptions of working with fused silica, on laser profile cutting and on the creation of artistic glassware in a scientific setting. Written specifically as a hands-on reference work, this book can be used as a step-by-step practical guide for practitioners and scientists as well as students and apprentices interested in the field. Contributions from: Michael Baumbach, MD of H Baumbach & Co; Paul Rathmill, Enterprise Q; William Fludgate, MD BioChem Glass (app) Ltd; Ian Pearson (Past Chairman BSSG), Editor, BSSG Journal; Gary Coyne, California State University USA; Konstantin Kraft-Poggensee, Former chairman, German Scientific Glassblowing Society; Keith Holden President of the Australian and New Zealand Glassblowing Society; Phil Murray, Churchill Fellow.

Glassblowing for Laboratory Technicians, Second Edition introduces the laboratory technician to the technique of glassblowing. Vacuum line accessories and their applications are described, along with the vacuum technique and interchangeable ground-glass joints. Laboratory glassworking hazards as well as intermediate and advanced glassblowing are also considered. This book is comprised of 12 chapters and opens with an overview of glass and its composition, followed by a discussion on glass tubes and rods and how they are stored. The next chapter focuses on some obvious hazards that will be encountered in glassworking, including sharp glass edges, hot glass and tools, gas and mercury, and the glassworking flame. The reader is then introduced to the laboratory workshop for glassblowing; the process of glass annealing; glass-to-metal seals; and elementary, intermediate, and advanced glassblowing. The vacuum technique is also described, along with types of pumps, vacuum gauges, and the operation of a vacuum system. The final chapter explains how a glassblowing class should be conducted. This monograph will be a useful resource for laboratory technicians and those who may be concerned with either the training of glassblowers or with glassblowing.

Glassblower Emmeline Dowell has made a home for herself among the artists of Tucson’s Warehouse District. Between teaching her craft and selling her wares, she has plenty to do—not to mention the occasional murder to put a crack in her routine. With a weakness for taking in strays—from homeless dogs to extra students—Emmeline can’t help befriending the troubled newcomer Allison McBride. But their friendship takes a dangerous turn when Allison’s husband turns up dead in Em’s studio. Now Emmeline is involved in a murder investigation that reaches beyond the sunny Southwest. And when the killer acts again, it’s up to her to pick up the shards of Allison’s life before it’s too late.

What if we changed the face of evangelism? In a time when so many have a negative perception of evangelism, what if a new model was entirely biblical, loaded with skills, and more effective? Soul Whisperer shifts the emphasis from "telling" to a "drawing" paradigm. It develops biblically the pattern of Jesus, who did not give static presentations but rather customized his words to each hearer. By learning his ways, our words, too, can have pinpointed impact! Christians will discover how to draw out first, in order to read their friends and discern the relevant appeal of the gospel. In this way, the style is far more dynamic. It adapts! Understanding the non-believer's unique starting point will determine a distinct path. By creating a conversation about spiritual influence and what is involved in faith formation, this book charts ways for Christians to go deeper in evangelistic relationships. Most importantly, Soul Whisperer infuses skills that will shape a more Christ-likened missional disciple.

Set around a brilliant young woman who marries and settles into a home, assuming the guardianship of an orphaned niece, this tells of how fateful choices lead to unforseen consequences. In so doing, it traces society's blue prints for women, family and sexuality and reveals their illusory comforts.