FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
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What Kind Of Glass Are We Using?
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Do I Get To Take Home What I Make?
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I Wear Glasses/May I Bring My Own Safety Glasses?
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What Is A Lesson Like?
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The beginner glass blowing lesson is designed for those with no experience on a torch. We use bench mounted torches in our glass shop. The lesson begins by Donald doing a demonstration explaining the steps as he goes. When it's your turn, you sit in front of the torch as Donald guides you through the steps with as much or as little help as needed. This is a really fun and exciting class! Check out our videos and photos to see a peek into a lesson!
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​Where Do I Park?
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We are located on the corner of Fulton St. and Armada Center Rd. The driveway is around the corner on Armada Center Rd. Park in the driveway. If you look at the map, the glass shop is where the blue dot is in the picture. Click the picture to enlarge for a better view. We have 2-3 spots available, so please carpool if possible. Thank you!
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What Do I Bring?
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There isn't anything you need to bring! We have all the supplies you need! Feel free to bring snacks or light beverages!
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What Do I Wear?
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Plain cotton clothing is best with closed toe shoes. Jeans or cotton pants are preferred. Please no clothing with loose, hanging sleeves, open necks, or fuzzy clothing while on the torch. Also, we recommend putting your hair up if it's long.
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What Kind Of Glass Are We Using?
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We use Borosilicate glass in our shop. Our glass is hard glass like Pyrex glass used for baking. We use a bench mounted torch for our glassblowing lessons. Our torches run about 4,000℉ and the glass melts at around 2,200℉.
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Do I Get To Take My Glass Home After Class?
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It depends on what you make! Some things we make, like the lady bugs in your first class, can be bench cooled and they are cool to the touch in about 15 minutes so those go home with you. For other glass items like marbles or larger glass, we have to put it in the kiln to anneal. For those items, you can pick them up the next day! You do keep everything you make in the shop! Be proud of your glass!
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May I Bring Others To Watch?
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If there is room in your class for others to come, they may come and watch. There is a $15 fee per person for a glasses rental fee. While in our shop, whether as a participant or a spectator, special lenses are required to be worn at all times. To insure we have glasses for everyone, please do not bring others to watch unless you have previously contacted us.
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I Wear Glasses/May I Bring My Own Safety Glasses?
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No worries! Our provided safety glasses fit over your glasses to protect your eyes. Our glasses have a special filter that is specifically made to protect your eyes from the flame while working with glass. If you would like to purchase your own set of glasses, we can help you find the correct safety glasses for glassblowing. They must have a Didymium lens. Neither regular safety glasses nor sun glasses are effective blocking the sodium flare or ultraviolet light created by the glass in the fire.
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***SUNGLASSES ARE NOT SAFE TO USE FOR GLASSBLOWING!***
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Is It Going To Be Really Hot?
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Our type of glass is not as hot as a soft glass studio, typically called the "hot shop". We don't have the big furnaces full of molten glass, we use small bench mounted torches to melt and work with the glass reducing the heat greatly. The temperature outside is the temperature inside the shop. The shop is heated and nice & toasty during cooler months! If you are worried about the heat, early morning lessons are typically the coolest during the summer!
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Do you have another question about our glassblowing lessons or live glass blowing demonstrations not answered above? Send us an email using our contact form and we will answer quickly!
