Feel the heat of the hot shop as you shape molten glass into a one-of-a-kind blown glass ornament. In this quick and exciting hot shop experience, you’ll work closely with a skilled artist to blow and shape glass from our 2,100°F furnace into an ornament perfect for trimming the tree or adding a little sparkle to your space all year long.

Make-It-Now experiences offer a quick hands-on introduction to the magic of glassmaking. In the hot shop, you’ll work one-on-one with a skilled local artist at the 2,100°F furnace. In about 15 minutes or less, you’ll work together to shape, color, and craft your glass item. Perfect for beginners, these short experiences offer a taste of the excitement, skill, and artistry that goes into working with glass in a supportive, guided setting.

Ages 5+

Adult supervision is required for any children under 14 years old.

Due to the nature of hot glass, items cannot be taken home the same day they are created. All items made in the hot shop must go through an annealing process to slowly cool the glass. Items are available for pick-up after 5 days. Shipping can be arranged on site the day of your activity.

Turn up the heat for a one-of-a-kind date night in the hot shop. In this quick and exciting experience, you and your partner will team up with a skilled artist to gather molten glass from our 2,100°F furnace and shape your own blown glass ornaments, sparkling keepsakes of the evening.

Each person will make their own ornament to create a set of 2 ornaments per couple. Perfect to share and admire for the season or all year long.

After your hands-on studio time, unwind with a glass of wine or beer and enjoy light bites. Let live music set the mood as you explore the gallery and take in glassblowing and flameworking demonstrations happening throughout the night.

If you’re registered for a later glassmaking slot, we recommend arriving early to experience everything the evening has to offer.

Due to the nature of hot glass, items cannot be taken home the same day they are created. All items made in the hot shop must go through an annealing process to slowly cool the glass. Items are available for pick-up after 5 days. Shipping can be arranged on site the day of your activity.

Ages 21+. Guests under 21 not permitted.

Bring warmth, light, and a little bit of magic to the longest night at Pittsburgh Glass Center. Join us for an immersive evening of hot glass demonstrations, candlelit activities, fireside snacks, and hands-on creative experiences that celebrate the turning of the season. As the night unfolds, the glow of the furnace and the warmth of shared experience invites reflection, connection, and hands-on creativity.

Make a Blown Glass Candle Holder

Step into the heat of the hot shop for one of our most exciting introductory glassblowing experiences. Work closely with a skilled artist to blow and shape glass from our 2,100°F furnace and add your choice of color to form a luminous vessel designed to hold a warm, flickering glowing tea light or votive candle.

Beyond the hot shop, the evening expands into a series of playful, reflective, and sensory-rich activities designed to mark the shift into a new season.

Have your cards read and explore what the coming year might hold with Arts & Crafts: Botanica & Occult Shop. Create a custom herbal blend for bathing or burning, designed to help you release what no longer serves and invite in what’s next. Participate in a collective intention ritual: write down something you’re ready to let go of or something you hope to carry forward, then release them with the help of our hot glass artists and the power of the furnace itself. It’s a symbolic act of change: fire, glass, and intention working together.

Fireside snacks, warm light, and shared creative energy carry you through an evening that is equal parts celebration, reflection, and making.

Due to the nature of hot glass, items cannot be taken home the same day they are created. All items made in the hot shop must go through an annealing process to slowly cool the glass. Items are available for pick-up after 5 days. Shipping can be arranged on site the day of your activity.

Ages 5+ 

Guests under 14 must be accompanied by an adult.

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.