Sue, Ariel is a technique which involves cold work on a previously created blank that is deeply engraved or sand blasted to develop the pattern or decor. That blank is then covered with hot glass to trap the air bubbles. This appears to me to be a technique which was done completely as a function of working hot glass only, and trapping the bubbles and then working the shape to elongate them.
I have never seen bubbles like this done before either..... at least as a somewhat symmetrical pattern or decor on a form. Some long singular bubbles here and there yes, but not like this.
When I first glanced at it in the cabinet in the store it appeared to be lines of colored glass in the body of the vase, alternating with the opalescent glass. It was not until I looked closely that I realized that the stripes were not glass of a different color, but well executed bubbles.
The more I look at it, the more I appreciate the difficulty of the technique and the level of artistry required to execute it this well.
Craig