Description

Making paperweights is the perfect introduction to working with hot glass. It is an exciting process that will put you in the “zone,” like nothing else. We’re going to make a demonstration piece, show you the tools, and talk you through every step of the process. No experience is necessary.

You’ll learn to gather hot glass from the furnace, center the glass on your blowpipe or puntie, and make it symmetrical on the marver table. You’ll select the colors you would like and then learn how to add color to the ball of hot glass. Using jacks, tweezers, shears, and icepick you can shape your colors and manipulate the hot glass.  In between each step, you’ll re-heat your paperweight in the glory hole to keep it molten so you can shape the glass. With blocks and newspaper, you’ll shape your paperweight while turning and turning the pipe. With the jacks, you’ll create the location to break your paperweight off the pipe. Your instructor will catch the hot paperweight and put it in the annealing oven for its gradual cool down overnight. Don’t worry, we’ll explain all these terms and talk each student individually through the process.

Small paperweights are about 2″ in size and can be round, egg, or other shapes depending on how you shape the hot glass.  You can use a wide variety of colors.  You can create bubbles in the glass with a variety of tools and techniques.  

The class lasts 2-3 hours depending on the number of students.  This is for ages 10 and up.

Classes are by appointment.  The price is per piece each student makes.