If you are a current or aspiring creative business, OLRA CREATIVE can help you articulate your unique place in the market.

This seminar explores the realities of building a sustainable creative practice and the value of relationships, reliability, and resourcefulness in the arts industry. Topics include networking authentically, finding opportunities, connecting with manufacturers and skilled tradespeople, understanding production resources, collaborating across disciplines,pricing strategies, and navigating transitions into new areas of making from lighting, glass, and beyond.

The seminar will be about one hour. With time for Questions and Answers. 

O L R A  C R E A T IV E works with some of today’s top artists, design firms, restaurants and photographers. If we can’t help you, we can source the best person, product or skillset. OLRA CREATIVE is an ever- evolving endeavor, which looks to include the best people and products the world has to offer. OLRA CREATIVE looks to  emphasize quality & authenticity

Registration for this seminar is donation-based, helping support future programs and creative opportunities like this one.

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Take it slow and let your creativity slide. In this introductory workshop, learn to heat and shape borosilicate glass into charming little slugs using a 3,000°F torch. Guided by a skilled instructor, learn torch basics and add color and texture to make each one your own sluggish creation. Add a glass loop to make it wearable or keep it as a figurine to add to a potted plant.

 

Ages 14+

 

Due to the nature of hot glass, your items will be available for pickup 5 days after your activity.

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Shell yeah. In this introductory workshop, create tiny turtles from molten glass using a 3,000°F torch. Guided by a skilled instructor, learn torch basics and add colors, texture, and personality. Add a loop or magnet to make them perfect to wear, share, or show off.

 

Ages 14+

 

Due to the nature of hot glass, your items will be available for pickup 5 days after your activity.

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Get started with stained glass. In this introductory workshop, you'll create a beautiful decorative suncatcher from a variety of provided patterns. Under the guidance of a skilled instructor, you'll learn basic stained glass techniques including glass cutting, copper foiling, and soldering. At the end of the workshop, you’ll take home a beautiful piece that brightens any space.

 

Ages 14+

 

Roll into the magic of molten glass. In this introductory workshop, learn torch basics and melt and manipulate glass rods into colorful, swirling marbles using a 3,000°F torch. Guided by a skilled instructor, you’ll add decorative techniques like twists, dots, and trails to create one-of-a-kind designs. Use graphite molds to perfect your sphere and walk away with a set perfect for collecting or sharing.

 

Ages 14+

 

Due to the nature of hot glass, your items will be available for pickup 5 days after your activity.

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Grow your creativity and no green thumb required. In this introductory workshop, you’ll gather glass from the 2,100°F furnace and add color. Then guided by a skilled instructor, you will sculpt and blow your own unique glass succulents. No sunlight or soil required.

This workshop is a fun introductory experience into hot glassblowing and hot glass sculpting. Each participant will craft two whimsical succulents, perfect for display, gifting, or brightening any space with a touch of glassy greenery.

Ages 14+

Due to the nature of hot glass, your items will be available for pickup 5 days after your activity.

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Make your coffee table pop with your own handmade glass coasters. In this introductory workshop, learn to cut and assemble sheet glass and combine it with frit (colored glass granules) and stringers (thin colored glass rods) to design a set of one-of-a-kind coasters.

 

Once you design them, we’ll fire your creations in the kiln fusing all the pieces into a cohesive set of functional coasters, perfect for your home or as a fun handmade gift.

 

Ages 14+

 

Due to the nature of hot glass, your items will be available for pickup 5 days after your activity.

Celebrate the summer solstice at Pittsburgh Glass Center in this quick and fun cold shop experience and turn an ordinary piece of glass into beautiful one-of-a-kind work of art. With the help of a skilled artist, use a lathe and traditional cutting and glass engraving techniques to cut star or sunburst designs to create a magical suncatcher.

Capture the beauty of the summer sun with glistening glass!

Ages 14+

Make-It-Now experiences offer a quick hands-on introduction to the art of coldworking. In the cold shop, you’ll work with a skilled local artist using our specialized equipment to personalize your own glass piece through engraving. In less than an hour, you’ll experience the cool side of glassmaking. Perfect for beginners, this guided session is a fun and creative experience with no heating or cooling required.

This is one experience where you can make it and take it home on the same day.