$115.00
Blown Glass Ornament Hands-On Workshop
What makes your hand-blown glass artwork unique?
We pride ourselves on our superior craftsmanship and unparalleled designs in creating timeless artworks that will be cherished for generations.
We have over 30 over of experience creating artworks that are a fusion of creativity and intentionality, that not only reflect our obsession with glass but also resonate deeply with the individuals who bring our artworks into their homes.
The marriage of form and function is what makes our glasswork truly stand out—balancing beauty with purpose, and artistry with usability.
How is hand-blown glass made?
We create our artwork using 2000-degree molten glass. The glass is either blown or solid sculpted using on a 4’ steel using rod hand tools and a reheating chamber. Visit our YouTube, Instagram, or Facebook page to see our fascinating videos of our artworks coming to life. You will be blown away!
Where does your glass come from?
The raw materials for our clear glass are sourced from Spruce Pine Batch in North Carlina and our colored glasses come from two German manufacturers, Kugler and Reichenbach. We also use flat glass from Oceanside. Sometimes, but rarely, we make our own color.
What kind of glass do you use?
We use a soda lime glass with a COE of 96. It contains soda ash, limestone, feldspar, lithium carbonate, sodium nitrate, zinc oxide, barium carbonate, fluorspar, antimony oxide. These raw materials, called batch, melt down into glass. The process of melting batch is called “charging” and is quite time-consuming. Our furnace requires about 24 hours to change and cook the batch, and then another 24 hours for it to be ready to use.
How hot is the glass?
Our batch melts into glass at 2400F. We work the glass between 2400 and 1200 approximately. Ideally, you work the glass as hot as possible without burning it. Yes! Glass can burn, especially colored glasses, which are very sensitive to temperature.
How do you remove the red/orange color from the glass and make it clear?
Molten glass is so hot that it looks red or orange, depending on how hot it is. So, while we’re working on a piece, all color is distorted. Clear glass looks orange. Blue or green glass looks red. This is because you’re seeing the temperature rather than the true color. As it cools down, you’ll start to see the real color of the glass. At our workshops we always tell people to rely on the color in the examples displayed when they’re picking on colors. Once it’s heated up, it looks completely different.
What is colored glass made from?
Glass is colored using various minerals and metallic oxides. Copper is one example that, when mixed with different ingredients, can become red, blue, or green.
How do you add color to the glass?
The colors that can be added to the basic clear glass come in three forms: color rods which are made of concentrated colored glass and must be pre-heated in the color warmer before applied, frits which are coarsely ground bits of color, and powder which enables the glassblower to layer color or produce fine gradations of color. The artist must carefully choose colors because no all colors are compatible due to the differing temperatures at which they retain or release heat.
Are the colors and patterns in the glass permanent? Are they toxic?
Glass colors/patterns never fade and are non-toxic to eat or drink with, unlike some ceramics.
Can I put your glass in the dishwasher
NO! Soda Lime glass is formulated to be sensitive to rapid temperature change. It is not safe to put in the dishwasher.
Is the glass fragile or durable?
Glass is stronger than steel, it’s just very brittle. Always pick our artworks up from the center mass, not petals or protrusions. Set it down gently on a hard surface and it will last you a lifetime!
How do I care for and clean glass artwork?
We like to use a solution of 1 part vinegar to 10 parts water in a spray bottle instead of glass cleaner. We also like to use lukewarm tap water and dish soap to handwash artwork small enough to fit in the sink. If it’s a larger artwork we do the same thing but take it into the shower.
We recommend avoiding harsh chemicals when cleaning your glass. It doesn’t need it and the planet will thank you!
Do you make custom pieces? Will you make me XYZ?
The short answer is it depends.
We do make custom pieces. However, there’s also a great deal of custom work we don’t do. If you see something on our website and would like it customized, we’d be happy to talk to you about it.
If you’re looking for something completely different from what you see on our website, we will likely pass, but it never hurts to ask, so send us an email.
Do you ship internationally?
Yes, we do ship internationally and we are very successful doing it. We double box the artwork so it arrives you to safely. The customer pays for shipping, duties, fees, customs and taxes. You can get a shipping quote in our webstore after you add your artworks to cart.
Can I return or exchange the piece if it doesn’t work in my space?
We offer exchanges only with prior approval. All of our artworks are handmade. There is a natural variation from piece to piece, with slight changes in color, shape, and size. We do our very best to represent our work as accurately as possible on the website. However, if you are unsure about a purchase please contact the studio beforehand to receive more photos or to have a video conference to see the piece in more detail. We want you to be joyous and happy when you purchase and receive one of our artworks!
If you are giving a gift and aren’t sure what they would like, give one of our gift cards instead!
Do you sell Gift Cards?
Do you make memorial items with ashes from a loved one?
Open Shopping: Thursday & Saturday 10 am to 3 pm | Curbside: Tuesday to Saturday: 10 am to 3 pm | Other times: By appointment.
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