How are glass pieces made at Mtarfa Glassblowers?

Every glass pieces made at Mtarfa Glassblowers follows a sequence that has changed little over centuries. Raw materials such as silica sand, soda ash, and limestone are melted in a furnace at temperatures above 1,000°C. A gather of molten glass is collected on a blowpipe, then shaped through blowing and turning. Tools such as wooden blocks, metal paddles, and shears help refine the form. Colour is added using metal oxides, which produce shades like deep blue or ruby red. Each stage must be timed with care, as the glass cools quickly once removed from the furnace. After shaping, the piece is placed in an annealing oven, where it cools slowly over several hours. This step prevents cracks and stress fractures. A single vase may take 20 to 40 minutes of active work, followed by hours of cooling. The process results in durable pieces that retain clarity and colour for decades.