Your browser is not optimized for viewing this website.

More information »

Pittsburgh Glass Center

Filter by Category



Flameworking

in Type of Glassmaking

Tubing 101

$475
Calendar Next available session starts Jan 25, 2026 at 9:30 am, runs for 8 weeks
Intrigued by borosilicate glass tubing? Are you looking to expand your flameworking skills? Then Tubing 101 is for you! This class will cover basic safety, use of our propane/ oxygen bench and hand torch, and technical exercises to help create an understanding of how heat, breathe, timing, and gravity are used to create shape in glass. Learn how to open and close a tube, seal two pieces of tubing together, make connections with solid rods of glass and blow bubbles. Course will culminate with the creation of vessel forms.

Class tuition includes 2 hours of open-studio time to be used during the 8-week course period. Open Studio is held on Monday Nights 5:00pm - 9:00pm.

Prerequisite: Flame 1: Introduction to Flameworking, or equivalent 24 hours experience with instructor permission required.

Additional Class Materials Fee: This course requires a blow hose assembly kit. If students need to purchase: Kits are available for purchase on site the first day of class for $40.

Class does not meet 3/1

Ages 14+

Flameworking in the Fast Lane

$475
Calendar Next available session starts Mar 31, 2026 at 9:30 am, runs for 4 weeks
Learn Flame Shop basics in this 4-week intro course, which gives you the same number of contact hours as our 8-week class. Work with borosilicate (hard) glass rods, which can be melted, colored, and shaped into decorated beads, pendants, marbles, and sculptures. Over 4 weeks, focus on hand control, color application, and annealing while receiving one-on-one troubleshooting advice. No experience necessary.

This 4-week class meets twice a week on both Tuesday and Thursday.

Ages 14+

Flameworking in the Fast Lane

$475
Calendar Next available session starts Mar 31, 2026 at 6:30 pm, runs for 4 weeks
Learn Flame Shop basics in this 4-week intro course, which gives you the same number of contact hours as our 8-week class. Work with borosilicate (hard) glass rods, which can be melted, colored, and shaped into decorated beads, pendants, marbles, and sculptures. Over 4 weeks, focus on hand control, color application, and annealing while receiving one-on-one troubleshooting advice. No experience necessary.

This 4-week class meets twice a week on both Tuesday and Thursday.

Ages 14+

Introduction to Beadmaking

$230
Calendar Next available session starts Apr 1, 2026 at 9:30 am, runs for 4 weeks
Fascinated by the intricacies of colorful glass beads and glass jewelry? In this introduction to bead making, learn the basic skills of heating glass, applying it to a mandrel, and shaping it with tools in just 4 weeks.

Plus, learn important decorative techniques, such as dots and trails. You’ll make several different kinds of beads that you'll want to wear or share.

Ages 14+

Drawing with Glass: An Introduction to Stringer Drawing

$230
Calendar Next available session starts Apr 4, 2026 at 9:30 am, runs for 4 weeks
Learn how to draw with glass. In this 4-week course, you will learn a variety of stringer pulling techniques, watch detailed demonstrations, and use hand torches to gain the skills required to create one-of-a-kind borosilicate glass drawings. This class is great for a beginner flameworker or someone looking to expand their skills at the torch. You are encouraged to bring reference images and ideas that we can help you bring to life in glass.

Ages 14+

Introduction to Borosilicate

$230
Calendar Next available session starts Apr 4, 2026 at 1 pm, runs for 4 weeks
Learn to work with borosilicate (hard) glass over the torch. Borosilicate is very resistant to shock which makes it perfectly suited to scientific applications. It's also appropriate for countless artistic projects. Explore the creation of borosilicate beads, marbles, and pendants while learning new methods for applying color to your glass objects. No experience necessary.

Ages 14+

Color and Aquatics

$230
Calendar Next available session starts Apr 4, 2026 at 4:30 pm, runs for 4 weeks
Take a deep dive into this aquatic themed 4-week flameworking course. Demonstrations will include sculpting sea forms such as fish, sea turtles, octopus, and marine plant life. Over the course of 4 weeks, you will learn color application, hand control, and annealing. Instruction will cover safety, torch operation, a variety of solid sculpting practices using borosilicate glass, and provide one-on-one troubleshooting. This class is great for someone to expand their sculpting skills at the torch.

Prerequisite: Flame 1: Introduction to Flameworking, or equivalent 24 hours experience with instructor permission required.

Ages 14+

Flameworking: Open Projects

$230
Calendar Next available session starts Apr 5, 2026 at 9:30 am, runs for 4 weeks
Finish a project you have had on the back burner or tackle a new one while focusing on your favorite techniques in Flameworking Open Projects. Instructor will work one-on-one with students and provide personalized demos and troubleshooting.

Prerequisite: Flame 2 or 72 hours equivalent experience or instructor permission required.

Ages 14+





Forgot password?
Staff Log In