Bloodworth pioneered SGF’s lone blown glass studio

Gabe, left, and Terry Bloodworth form a vase at Springfield Hot Glass. Demonstrations are happening all the time.

Terry Bloodworth left his gig of more than two decades to chase the “dream of every artist.” After 25 years impressing constant Silver Dollar City crowds he made the leap based on a feeling that the smoldering SGF art scene was about to burst into flame. Seven years (this coming May) later, Springfield Hot Glass and Art Studio lies at the heart of downtown – at 314 S Campbell. “Silver Dollar City was a great place to learn the craft aspect (of blowing glass), but frankly, I wanted to be a part of the art movement in Springfield,” he said. “At the time this area was being very underutilized, it was mostly unoccupied.” Even though most of Campbell was vacant then, Bloodworth’s faith has been rewarded with a host of neighbors to fan the art flame. “We have shared goals. It’s a creative neighborhood of small, creative, family-owned businesses.”

When you enter Hot Glass, you are immediately invited to learn about the craft. A small shop in the front of the open room features a wide variety of pieces to purchase – including vases, night lights, pitchers, jewelry, and decorative pieces (the penguins are my niece’s favorites), of which 90% are created by friends and family, mostly in the shop – with the workshop in the back.

More than 90% of the items to purchase are made by family and friends.

Terry or Gabe, his son and successor, explain what they’re doing to the glass torching it in more than 1,500-degrees. They move quick through each piece, a fascinating action-packed sequence of blowing, forming and adding color – though much more complicated than that sounds.

Gabe has been under Terry’s tutelage since he was 12 and the natural ability was immediately evident. It’s a dangerous venture, so he started with simply grabbing tools from around the shop, but by 15 Gabe had discovered that he really enjoyed it. “He’s got a great visual sense and more talent than I do,” Terry concedes. Now, Gabe is moving into the “gaffer” (person in charge of the bench) role and his father couldn’t be having a better time at work. “It’s fun too work with someone who is very gifted and coachable, but the best part of the gig is to get to work with my son.”

Springfield’s only blown glass shop is open throughout the week with constant demonstrations, but also offers technical classes. “We use straight-forward tools in an art that’s more than 2,000 years old. Machines cannot duplicate this work by hand. I don’t see this kind of work becoming obsolete.”

The biggest perk for Terry (right) Bloodworth is working each day with talented son, Gabe.

For more information, visit Springfield Hot Glass online.