About Classes

The Seattle Glassblowing Studio specializes in teaching beginning glassblowing classes. These six week classes meet once each week for four hours. Classes are designed for students who have no experience. Teachers work with students step by step to create one of a kind, hand blown glass art. Students begin working with glass the first day of class, making between one and three pieces per four-hour class. Fundamentals such as gathering, centering, blocking, marvering, basic color applications, and proper shop etiquette are taught in the introductory class. While enrolled in classes students will develop all the basic skills and knowledge needed to blow as a hobby or to continue glassblowing as a profession. We encourage students to continue their glassblowing education through Beginner II, Intermediate and Advanced classes. We also offer private lessons for one on one instruction, please call for details.

FACILITIES
Our hotshop is equipped with three glory holes, four annealers, a new state of the art Falorni furnace, and a wide selection of specialized glassblowing tools. The hot shop environment is clean, comfortable, and friendly. We have a sophisticated ventilation and fan system, which creates a cool and clean work environment. Attached to the hot shop is our own glass gallery. Please feel free to come tour the hotshop and gallery at anytime during our business hours.

BEGINNING CLASSES
Six-week sessions are designed to give the beginning student a solid, thorough knowledge of basic glassblowing techniques. Whether you are considering a career in glassblowing or are interested in taking up a rewarding artistic hobby, our classes will give you the technical skills you need to create beautiful, functional works of art.

Our beginner classes cover all the key forms in glassblowing: spheres, cylinders, cones and bowls. With each new shape, students will refine their skills at gathering glass onto the rod, shaping it with various tools, mastering basic bitwork, punty shaping and blowing techniques and adding color to the glass. Shop safety, etiquette and proper form are all stressed throughout the lessons. Classes meet for four hours, one day a week, on the same time and day for six weeks.

Each class is limited to six students maximum to ensure ample access to tools and materials and to maximize individual time with the instructor and teaching assistant. The cost for the six-week session is $645, which covers all tools and materials for beginners. Payments can be made in two installments - a $300 deposit at the time of registration and the remaining $345 on or before the first day of class. Class fees are refundable or transferable to a different class session one week prior to the start of class. If a student must miss a session of class, we can schedule a make up class if we have at least 24 hours notice of the upcoming absence.

INTERMEDIATE & ADVANCED CLASSES
Students who have taken beginner level classes at Seattle Glassblowing Studio or another facility can register for our Beginner II, Intermediate or Advanced classes. Techniques for shaping, color application, and design will be explored in more depth in these continuing classes. The cost for these six-week classes is also $645, though students must purchase their own color at this level. We also offer specialty classes throughout the year for intermediate level students on topics such as incalmo, goblet making and off-hand sculpture.