By Amy Noltensmeyer The gas erupts with a pop followed by a steady whoosh of the flame. The length of the flame jumps as the glass blower adjusts the heat. The sword of color transforms from bone white at the bottom to saffron at the tip. The artist’s hair is the same color as the reddish flame he bends over as he works to get a closer look at his creation. The heat rises from the flame, but is not so easily felt, since a shield of plexiglass surrounds the artist’s surface to protect the audience. The glass artist enjoys the Zen feeling ...