Glass Blowing

Glass Blowing

SiNaCa Studios offers a variety of project based workshops (Experiece Glass Blowing + A Bit More) and fundamental based curriculum (Survey + Workshops) in our glass blowing studio for all levels of interest and experience. When you work in the hot shop, you manipulate the glass in its molten state (2100ºF). The process begins by gathering glass on the end of a 4.5’ steel rod and then using tools and air to shape and form the material. All work created must go through an overnight cooling process, and is generally ready for pick up three to five days after the class.

Experience Glass Blowing

Price: $125 Per Participant | Class Size: Min 3 – Max 6 | Ages 14+ | Prerequisite: None

The perfect class for your first experience working in a glass blowing studio. Participants are given the opportunity to work with our instructors to learn about the equipment, tools and materials used to transform raw glass into a memorable experience.

In this 2-hour glass workshop, each participant will demonstrate the basic techniques of glass blowing to make at least two individual items. You will work with our instructors select and add color to molten glass to create a one of a kind mini paperweight and a seasonal item (see list below for seasonal item selections). Items created will be ready for pick up in the SiNaCa Studios gallery five business days after class date.

 

If you are redeeming a SiNaCa Studios gift card, use your card number as a promotional code to waive any registration fees.

2024 Class Dates

Glass Blowing: A Bit More

Price: $345 each class with one or two participants | Class Size: Up to 2 participants | Ages 14+ | Prerequisite: None

Do you want to work with the material “a bit more” or are you looking to heat up your next date night? Then this is class is the class for you. Up to 2 people can sign up for a two hour glass working lesson with one of our expert instructors who will walk you through the basics of glass sculpting and blowing and whet your appetite for future glass adventures! You will have the choice of creating two small and one larger item OR four smaller items during you session. Items will be selected during registration. Images of the items are available below.

Seasonal/Small Item Choices

Paperweight

Ornament (December)

Glass Blowing Item

Implosion Bowl (January & February)

Glass Blowing Item

Gazing Ball (March & April)

Terrarium (May – September)

Pumpkin (October & November)

Blown Heart (A Bit More Only)

Egg Weight (A Bit More Only)

Flower (A Bit More Only)

Tumbler (A Bit More Only)

– GLASS  BLOWING  CURRICULUM – LEARN THE FUNDAMENTALS –

      Four Week Survey Classes & Workshops

 

Our glass blowing curriculum is broken into different levels of experience to guide students through the fascinating process of working in the hot shop. Each level starts with a survey class, and then followed up with workshops at that same skill level. Two workshops of the same level must be taken before moving to the next survey class. Tools and basic supplies are included in all classes and workshops.

Glass Blowing Survey I: Learning the Dance

Price: $675 Per Participant | Class Size: Min 2 – Max 4 | Ages 14+ | Class Duration: 4 session(s) | 4 hours/session | Prerequisite: None

In this beginning course to glass blowing, students will learn the basics of manipulating hot glass. Each week during the four-week course, we will work on specific criteria to help you reach your full potential in glass. We will build a foundation that focuses on a team approach to glass blowing, with an emphasis on safety, proper tool use, basic techniques, and materials.Students will learn the appropriate movements and manipulation of glass in the hot shop while reaching the goals of making a straight walled tumbler/cylinder.

Project(s): Making a bubble, Un-opened cylinder, Making a straight walled tumbler.

LEVEL ONE WORKSHOPS

Glass Blowing Level One Workshop: Better Bubbles

Price: $200 Per Participant |   Class Duration: 1 session(s) | 3 hours/session  |   Class Size: Min 2 – Max 4  |  Ages 14+   |   Prerequisite: Glass Blowing Survey I

In this workshop, students will continue practicing the fundamental steps for creating a starter bubble. Students will become more proficient in gathering, marvering, and heat management, as it relates to the initial starter bubble.

Glass Blowing Level One Workshop: Paperweights

Price: $200 Per Participant |   Class Duration: 1 session(s) | 3 hours/session  |   Class Size: Min 2 – Max 4  |  Ages 14+   |   Prerequisite: Glass Blowing Survey I

Students will explore working with glass in its solid state working towards making a spherical paperweight. Students will learn color application and hands on interaction with the glass.

Glass Blowing Level One Workshop: Tumblers

Price: $380 Per Participant |   Class Duration: 2 session(s) | 3 hours/session  |   Class Size: Min 2 – Max 4  |  Ages 14+   |   Prerequisite: Glass Blowing Survey I

In this 2-week workshop, students will design a personalized cup.  Students will continue to work with the fundamentals of gathering, marvering and shaping. Students will design a unique cup shape.

Glass Blowing Survey II: The Possibilities are Endless

Price: $675 Per Participant | Class Size: Min 2 – Max 4 | Ages 14+ |  Class Duration: 4 session(s) | 4 hours/session | Prerequisite: Glass Blowing Survey I + 2 L1 Workshops

In this four-week course, students will gain a better understanding of the basic techniques of manipulating hot glass. We will build on the skills learned Glass Blowing I and explore new ideas. Students will gain more control of hot glass and a better understanding of the tools with a focused on a more deliberate outcome. Students will create cups and vases before advancing to more complex techniques and vessel shapes. By the end of the course, students will have many completed works and a more advanced understanding of glass blowing techniques. Students may wish to take this class a second time in order to continue to develop and refine basic skills before moving on to Glass Blowing III. Each time you handle this complex material, you will gain confidence and skill as your passion for glass grows.

LEVEL TWO WORKSHOPS

Glass Blowing Level Two WorkshopBowls

Price: $200 Per Participant | Class Size: Min 2- Max 4 | Ages 14+ | Class Duration: 1 session(s) | 3 hours/session | Prerequisite: Glass Blowing Survey II

 Students will focus on working towards a specific controlled bowl shape. 

Main Objectives

  • Proper gathers and starter bubbles.
  • Specific step to set up for a bowl shape.
  • Shape control on punty.

Glass Blowing Level Two Workshop: Vase Form

Price: $200 Per Participant |   Class Duration: 1 session(s) | 3 hours/session  |   Class Size: Min 2 – Max 4  Ages 14+   |   Prerequisite: Glass Blowing Survey II

In this class, students will revisit the fundamental steps in blowing a vase form. Students will also address new tools for trimming, shaping, and thinning out the lip of vase on the punty.

Glass Blowing Level Two Workshop: Body Wraps and Raking 

Price: $200 Per Participant | Class Size: Min 2- Max 4  | Ages 14+  |  Class Duration: 1 session(s) | 3 hours/session  |  Prerequisite: Glass Blowing Survey II

In this 3- hour class students will learn how to bring body wraps and do a raking technique to create unique patterns on the surface of a vessel.

Glass Blowing Level Two Workshop: Solid Sculpting

Price: $200 Per Participant | Class Size: Min 2- Max 4  | Ages 14+  |  Class Duration: 1 session(s) | 3 hours/session  |  Prerequisite: Glass Blowing Survey II

In this 3-hour session, students will learn how to create multiple objects, utilizing solid sculpting procedures and methods. Students will learn fundamental steps of Subtractive Method, removing material from a large block/ form, by localizing heat and pull/pushing material into desired shape. Students will also learn the Additive Method, adding more material to the block/form, by bringing bits to the desired shape.

Main Objectives 

  • To understand the proportions, as it pertains to individual objects 
  • To utilize/ localize heat for desired results 
  • To utilize hot torch 
  • To utilize new tools for texture (kitchen knife, wire brush, screws. Etc.) 
  • To learn both Additive and Subtractive Methods for sculpting solid 
  • To learn how to make and accept bits for appendages 
  • To learn how to make a sculptural punty

Glass Blowing Survey III: Hotter, Faster

Price: $675 Per Participant |   Class Size: Min 2 – Max 4   |   Ages 14+  |  Class Duration: 4 session(s) | 4 hours/session |  Prerequisite: Glass Blowing Survey II + 2 L2 Workshops

Students will learn the appropriate Gaffer and Assistant communication skills necessary for team glassblowing. Students will also focus on heat management and step efficiency for optimal results. Students will be introduced to bit work, applying handles and spouts to functional vessels. Students will also have the opportunity to experiment with blown sculptural forms.

Students will learn……..  

  • Heat management and efficiency
  • More efficient movement in and around the studio
  • Better communication; Gaffer/ Assistant
  • Bit work; handles/spouts/cookie feet
  • Trimming and opening
  • Problem-solving

LEVEL THREE WORKSHOPS

Glass Blowing Level Three Workshop: Basic Cane

Price: $380 Per Participant |   Class Duration: 2 session(s) | 3 hours/session  |   Class Size: Min 2 – Max 4  Ages 14+   |   Prerequisite: Glass Blowing Survey III

In this two-week course students will learn the fundamentals of pulling single color cane.  

*Specific Color included. Color will be approved by instructor. Color MUST be dropped off prior to class. 

Students will learn…… 

  • Basic single color rod pick up 
  • Heat and shape management before pulling 
    • Learning to make a proper post
    • Basic optic pickup(solid and bubble)

Glass Blowing Level Three Workshop: Three Gathers

Price: $200 Per Participant |   Class Duration: 1 session(s) | 3 hours/session  |   Class Size: Min 2 – Max 4  Ages 14+   |   Prerequisite: Glass Blowing Survey III

In this workshop students will learn how to efficiently work with three gathers of glass. This class will focus on heat management, specific steps for desired outcomes, punty control and tweezing of lip, *from outside the bench. * color optional 

Glass Blowing Level Three Workshop: Handles and Spouts

Price: $200 Per Participant |   Class Duration: 1 session(s) | 3 hours/session  |   Class Size: Min 2 – Max 4  Ages 14+   |   Prerequisite: Glass Blowing Survey III

In this 3-hour workshop, students will learn how to apply different styled handles, (Roman and standard), and spouts (using tweezers and jacks) to a 2.5 gather, straight walled water pitcher and a 2 gather mug.

Glass Blowing Level Three Workshop: Advanced Color

Price: $380 Per Participant |   Class Duration: 2 session(s) | 3 hours/session  |   Class Size: Min 2 – Max 4  Ages 14+   |   Prerequisite: Glass Blowing Survey III

In this 2-week (6 hour) workshop students will learn specific color application.

Main Objectives   

  • Apply an overlay 
  • Apply Body wraps 
    • Lip and cookie foot wraps 
    • Building a collar

Glass Blowing Level Three Workshop: Complex Cane

Price: $380 Per Participant |   Class Duration: 2 session(s) | 3 hours/session  |   Class Size: Min 2 – Max 4  Ages 14+   |   Prerequisite: Glass Blowing Survey III

In this 6-hour class, students will utilize skills and materials made from L3 Workshop Basic Cane to create unique complex cane. Students are allowed to bring cane made from previous classes as long as it is 96 COE. Students will learn to add bits of color to solid rod and pull cane. Students will learn to bundle, twist and make complex patterns. Students will be limited to a single gather for the complex cane pull. 

Main Objectives 

  • Continue learning steps and heating processes to pulling cane
  • Learn how to heat and shape for added bits 
  • Learn how to bundle and pick up cane from color box 
  • Learn how to heat and shape cane 
  • Learn how to pull and twist for complex cane
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