Warm up for winter in this full-day beginner flameworking workshop. Working with borosilicate glass and a 3,000°F tabletop torch, you’ll learn how to melt and sculpt solid glass rods into seasonal winter forms like flamecicles, snowpeople, and other frosted-inspired sculptures. Demonstrations throughout the day will guide you through shaping, detailing, and building expressive forms in glass, with additional time available to explore other winter-themed designs by request.

You will gain a strong foundation in studio safety, torch operation, and essential solid sculpting techniques while working through a range of playful, winter-inspired projects.

Note: Class includes a 30-minute lunch break. Lunch is not provided, but a refrigerator is available for student use.

PGC 245 Brighten up the season with handmade glass. In this introductory workshop, you’ll explore the fundamentals of stained glass while creating a colorful set of festive light bulb decorations. Under the guidance of a skilled instructor, you’ll learn glass cutting, the copper foiling method, and soldering.

Using colorful sheet glass and traditional stained glass techniques, you'll assemble a series of two-dimensional stained glass bulbs that can be strung together as cheerful seasonal décor or used individually as ornaments and gift toppers. Each finished piece brings a playful pop of color and handmade sparkle to the holidays. Each participant will make up to 3 bulbs.

Bring some warmth and light to the longest night at Pittsburgh Glass Center. Join us for hot glassblowing demonstrations, candle lit activities, and fireside snacking.

Make a Glistening Etched Glass Suncatcher

Capture the beauty of the winter season with glistening glass. In the cold shop, use a lathe and traditional cutting and engraving techniques to cut a star or snowflake design into glass to create a magical etched ornament.

Have your cards read to what the new year might have in store for you and create a custom herb blend for bathing or burning to help you get rid of the old and bring in the new with Arts & Crafts: Botanica & Occult Shop.

Participate in an intention ritual by writing down your intentions for the upcoming season and burn them away with the help of our hot glass artists.

Ages 14+

Food, beverages and entertainment are available throughout the event, so arriving early or staying afterward lets you enjoy them outside your session. If you register for a later glassmaking slot, we suggest arriving early to enjoy all this event has to offer.

Deck the halls with something handmade! In this introductory workshop, you will gather glass from the 2,100°F furnace and add colors of your choice. Then, guided by a skilled instructor, you’ll blow and shape the glass into a festive ornament.

This workshop is a fun introductory experience into hot glassblowing. Each participant will make two blown glass ornaments, perfect for trimming the tree, gifting to someone special, or adding a little sparkle to your space all year long.

Catch the winter light. In this introductory workshop, create shimmering glass flamecicles using a 3,000°F torch. Guided by a skilled instructor, learn torch basics and explore shaping techniques to pull and twist elegant frozen inspired forms. Fun to make, beautiful to hang, and perfect to keep or gift.

Branch out and create something beautiful! In this introductory 4-hour workshop you’ll create a stained glass winter tree panel. Under the guidance of a skilled instructor, you'll learn the fundamentals of stained glass including how to cut glass, follow a pattern, use the copper foiling method, and solder your pieces together.

Using colorful sheet glass and traditional stained glass techniques, you’ll assemble a beautiful winter tree design that catches and transforms light. Your finished piece is perfect for displaying in a window or on a wall throughout the season.

Explore the art of bending light. In this introductory workshop, you’ll work closely with a skilled instructor to learn the fundamentals of shaping heated glass tubing over a torch. Through a series of guided exercises, you’ll practice basic bends and gain an understanding of how glass moves and responds to heat while gaining confidence at the torch. Once you’re comfortable, you’ll create your own form like a smooth curve, playful squiggle, or unique design. To finish, you’ll watch a live demonstration of how neon tubing is processed, filled, and illuminated, revealing the transformation from glass tube to glowing artwork.

Your tube will remain at the studio to be filled with neon gas. It will be ready for pickup in five days, fully transformed into a glowing work of art. This workshop is a fun introduction to neon bending and glass tubing techniques. Each participant will create one custom neon piece. Fun to make, mesmerizing to watch, and perfect for displaying. Registration includes a transformer power cord and electrodes to light up your sculpture at home.

Add a creative twist to your handmade glass ornament collection! In this introductory workshop, you will work with a skilled instructor to gather molten glass from the 2,100°F furnace, add color of your choice, and blow and shape the glass into a festive traditional ornament. Then, create a second ornament using sculpting techniques. Gather more molten glass, add color of your choice, and twist, pull, and manipulate the glass by hand to create an expressive, beautiful twisted sculpted ornament.

This workshop is a fun introduction to working with hot glass. Each participant will make two ornaments: one classic blown glass ornament and one sculpted twist ornament both perfect for gifting, collecting, or adding a handmade touch to your seasonal décor.