Stephanie Lane

Lampworking is a type of glasswork that uses a gas fueled torch to melt rods and tubes of clear and colored glass. Once in a molten state, the glass is formed by blowing and shaping with a variety of tools and hand movements. It is also known as flameworking or torchworking, as the modern practice no longer uses oil-fueled lamps. Although the art form has been practiced since ancient times, it became widely practiced in Murano, Italy in the 14th century.

Early lampworking was done in the flame of an oil lamp, with the artist blowing air into the flame through a pipe. Most artists today use torches that burn either propane or natural gas, or in some countries butane, for the fuel gas, with either air or pure oxygen (which can be produced by an oxygen concentrator) as the oxidizer. In addition to beads and artwork, lampworking is used to create scientific tools, particularly for chemistry.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lampworking

Copper is a precious metal that is well known for oxidising (tarnishing) on exposure to oxygen. If left in its raw state it will even turn green.  If you like the way your copper is ageing you need do nothing just enjoy the patina as it develops but if you prefer it bright and shiny if you give it a hot water bath with a dash of vinegar and salt it will shine up beautifully right before your eyes it takes no time at all, be sure to rinse it off with cold water though after you have done it.  The frequency that your copper needs bathing is a personal preference due to individual body chemistry and how close you are to salt water