Watch clips from "How It's Made" to see how objects like artificial limbs, nails, footballs, mustard, and more are made. Choose a few to watch--which one surprised you most?

Watch how the objects all around us are made.

Browse through glassblower William Morris's website and see the different art pieces he has created with glass. What do you notice most about his glass works that's different from what you expected?

Check out the work of a glassblower.

Challenge yourself to create five different art projects using different mediums and styles. Painting, sculpture, crochet, collage, etc. Is there a medium you preferred? Why? 

Explore different art mediums.

Find a local artist you like and contact them to request an informal interview. Prepare questions in advance and ask them about their road, advice, and more! 

Interview an artist.

The ability to keep your hand and arm steady while moving your arm or while holding your arm and hand in one position.

The ability to see details at close range (within a few feet of the observer).

The ability to quickly and repeatedly adjust the controls of a machine or a vehicle to exact positions.

The ability to quickly respond (with the hand, finger, or foot) to a signal (sound, light, picture) when it appears.

The ability to quickly move your hand, your hand together with your arm, or your two hands to grasp, manipulate, or assemble objects.

The ability to match or detect differences between colors, including shades of color and brightness.

The ability to imagine how something will look after it is moved around or when its parts are moved or rearranged.

The ability to make precisely coordinated movements of the fingers of one or both hands to grasp, manipulate, or assemble very small objects.

The ability to time your movements or the movement of a piece of equipment in anticipation of changes in the speed and/or direction of a moving object or scene.

The ability to concentrate on a task over a period of time without being distracted.

Glass Blowers, Molders, Benders, and Finishers

Shape molten glass according to patterns.

Work involves designing, building, or repairing of equipment, materials, or structures, engaging in physical activity, or working outdoors. Realistic occupations are often associated with engineering, mechanics and electronics, construction, woodworking, transportation, machine operation, agriculture, animal services, physical or manual labor, athletics, or protective services.

Realistic

Work involves following procedures and regulations to organize information or data, typically in a business setting. Conventional occupations are often associated with office work, accounting, mathematics/statistics, information technology, finance, or human resources.

Conventional

Work involves studying and researching non-living objects, living organisms, disease or other forms of impairment, or human behavior. Investigative occupations are often associated with physical, life, medical, or social sciences, and can be found in the fields of humanities, mathematics/statistics, information technology, or health care service.

Investigative

Work involves creating original visual artwork, performances, written works, food, or music for a variety of media, or applying artistic principles to the design of various objects and materials. Artistic occupations are often associated with visual arts, applied arts and design, performing arts, music, creative writing, media, or culinary art.

Artistic

Work involves managing, negotiating, marketing, or selling, typically in a business setting, or leading or advising people in political and legal situations. Enterprising occupations are often associated with business initiatives, sales, marketing/advertising, finance, management/administration, professional advising, public speaking, politics, or law.

Enterprising

Work involves helping, teaching, advising, assisting, or providing service to others. Social occupations are often associated with social, health care, personal service, teaching/education, or religious activities.

Social

I was offered a job at an art school as a truck driver because I couldn't afford to be there as a student. I lived in a treehouse, didn't have any electricity or running water. Everything I owned was in a Fiat 128 sedan.

Glassblower/Artist

Job Zone Two: Some Preparation Needed

Knowledge of raw materials, production processes, quality control, costs, and other techniques for maximizing the effective manufacture and distribution of goods.

Knowledge of design techniques, tools, and principles involved in production of precision technical plans, blueprints, drawings, and models.

Knowledge of machines and tools, including their designs, uses, repair, and maintenance.

Knowledge of principles and processes for providing customer and personal services. This includes customer needs assessment, meeting quality standards for services, and evaluation of customer satisfaction.

Knowledge of the practical application of engineering science and technology. This includes applying principles, techniques, procedures, and equipment to the design and production of various goods and services.

Knowledge of arithmetic, algebra, geometry, calculus, statistics, and their applications.

Knowledge of the structure and content of the English language including the meaning and spelling of words, and rules of composition and grammar.

Knowledge of principles and methods for curriculum and training design, teaching and instruction for individuals and groups, and the measurement of training effects.

Knowledge of materials, methods, and the tools involved in the construction or repair of houses, buildings, or other structures such as highways and roads.

Knowledge of principles and procedures for personnel recruitment, selection, training, compensation and benefits, labor relations and negotiation, and personnel information systems.

Controlling operations of equipment or systems.

Watching gauges, dials, or other indicators to make sure a machine is working properly.

Conducting tests and inspections of products, services, or processes to evaluate quality or performance.

Monitoring/Assessing performance of yourself, other individuals, or organizations to make improvements or take corrective action.

Giving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times.

Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions, or approaches to problems.

Understanding written sentences and paragraphs in work-related documents.

Understanding the implications of new information for both current and future problem-solving and decision-making.

Identifying complex problems and reviewing related information to develop and evaluate options and implement solutions.

Considering the relative costs and benefits of potential actions to choose the most appropriate one.

Miscellaneous Production Workers

Molders, Shapers, and Casters, Except Metal and Plastic

Production Occupations

Other Production Occupations

Heat glass to pliable stage, using gas flames or ovens and rotating glass to heat it uniformly.

Inspect, weigh, and measure products to verify conformance to specifications, using instruments such as micrometers, calipers, magnifiers, or rulers.

Record manufacturing information, such as quantities, sizes, or types of goods produced.

Place glass into dies or molds of presses and control presses to form products, such as glassware components or optical blanks.

Spray or swab molds with oil solutions to prevent adhesion of glass.

Blow tubing into specified shapes to prevent glass from collapsing, using compressed air or own breath, or blow and rotate gathers in molds or on boards to obtain final shapes.

Determine types and quantities of glass required to fabricate products.

Set up and adjust machine press stroke lengths and pressures and regulate oven temperatures, according to glass types to be processed.

Shape, bend, or join sections of glass, using paddles, pressing and flattening hand tools, or cork.

Design and create glass objects, using blowpipes and artisans' hand tools and equipment.

Microsoft Excel

Microsoft Outlook

Billing software

Inventory control software

Glass knives

Glass lathes

Meeker burners

Digital micrometers

Dial calipers

Protective respirators

Drill presses

Propane torches

Polishing wheels

Holding clamps

Engine lathes

Observing, receiving, and otherwise obtaining information from all relevant sources.

Using either control mechanisms or direct physical activity to operate machines or processes (not including computers or vehicles).

Providing information to supervisors, co-workers, and subordinates by telephone, in written form, e-mail, or in person.

Inspecting equipment, structures, or materials to identify the cause of errors or other problems or defects.

Monitoring and reviewing information from materials, events, or the environment, to detect or assess problems.

Using hands and arms in handling, installing, positioning, and moving materials, and manipulating things.

Performing general physical activities includes doing activities that require considerable use of your arms and legs and moving your whole body, such as climbing, lifting, balancing, walking, stooping, and handling materials.

Identifying information by categorizing, estimating, recognizing differences or similarities, and detecting changes in circumstances or events.

Analyzing information and evaluating results to choose the best solution and solve problems.

Using relevant information and individual judgment to determine whether events or processes comply with laws, regulations, or standards.

How often does this job require exposure to minor burns, cuts, bites, or stings?

Exposed to Minor Burns, Cuts, Bites, or Stings

Every day

How often does this job require wearing common protective or safety equipment such as safety shoes, glasses, gloves, hearing protection, hard hats or life-jackets?

Wear Common Protective or Safety Equipment such as Safety Shoes, Glasses, Gloves, Hearing Protection, Hard Hats, or Life Jackets

How often does this job require working exposed to contaminants (such as pollutants, gases, dust or odors)?

Never

How often does this job require working exposed to sounds and noise levels that are distracting or uncomfortable?

Exposed to Sounds, Noise Levels that are Distracting or Uncomfortable

Once a week or more but not every day

Once a year or more but not every month

How important is being very exact or highly accurate in performing this job?

Very important

Important

How frequently does your job require face-to-face discussions with individuals and within teams?

Face-to-Face Discussions with Individuals and Within Teams

How often is the worker required to make decisions that affect other people, the financial resources, and/or the image and reputation of the organization?

How often does this job require working in very hot (above 90 F degrees) or very cold (below 32 F degrees) temperatures?

How much decision making freedom, without supervision, does the job offer?

A lot of freedom

Some freedom

Limited freedom

How much does this job require using your hands to handle, control, or feel objects, tools or controls?

Spend Time Using Your Hands to Handle, Control, or Feel Objects, Tools, or Controls

Glass Blowers, Molders, Benders, and Finishers

Overview

Career

What Glass Blowers, Molders, Benders, and Finishers Do

Other Job Titles Glass Blowers, Molders, Benders, and Finishers May Have

Tasks & Responsibilities May Include

Glass Blowers, Molders, Benders, and Finishers

Overview

Career

What Glass Blowers, Molders, Benders, and Finishers Do

Other Job Titles Glass Blowers, Molders, Benders, and Finishers May Have

Tasks & Responsibilities May Include

Education

Level of Education Attained by Glass Blowers, Molders, Benders, and Finishers

Related Careers