FAQ
1. What should I bring to class?
2. Where Is Public Glass and how do I get there?
3. What are the hours of operation?
4. I loved the class, what do I do now?
5. What are the steps to become a renter?
6. What can Public Glass do for me now?
7. What do I need to buy?
8. Other Information
What should I bring to class?
- Comfortable Clothes! We recommend cotton or other natural fibers rather than synthetics and long sleeve shirts
to protect your arms.
- A water bottle or something to drink
- Snacks and food for lunch/dinner
- Closed toe shoes. No sandals or other open toed shoes, there is glass on the floor! You must wear work boots or
sneakers
- An inquiring mind! Glass is a fun, engaging hobby and you will find endless things to inspire you.
Where Is Public Glass and how do I get there?
1750 Armstrong Ave
San Francisco CA 94124
T 415-671-4916
F 415-671-4917
info@publicglass.org
We are accessable by Public Transportation as well as driving. The links below will assist you in getting here:
- Google Maps directions
- Mapquest directions
- 511.org Public Transit Trip Planner
What are the hours of operation?
Hours
Shop Hours: TUE, WED, FRI, SAT, SUN 9am - 9pm
Studio rentals are generally available during these hours, dependent upon the class schedule. Please see the Reservations section of our home page for more information.
Office hours are:
TUES 8am-6pm
WED 11am-6pm
FRI 9am-5pm
SAT 8am-3pm
SUN 8am-3pm
Office hours are subject to change based on appointments, rentals and off-site activities. Please call or email in advance of your visit to ensure that the studio is open.
Studio rentals are generally available during these hours whenever classes are not in session.
I just finished my first class, where do I go from here?
Simple Answer, take the next class or start renting!
The Glass Blowing Class Progression:
- Glass Blowing 1A
- Glass Blowing 1B
- Glass Blowing 2A
- Glass Blowing 2B
The Slumping/Fusing/Casting Progression:
- fusing 2 day workshop or fusing 4 week course
- Sunday Studios
- Specialty Workshops
The Casting Progression:
- Introduction To Kiln Casting
- Next Steps In Kiln Casting
The Flameworking/Lampworking Progression:
- Flameworking weekend workshop
- Flameworking Series
Coldshop:
- Coldshop Class
What are the steps to become a renter?
* Finish the basic class progression above for the area you are interested in
* Learn about the specific equipment you want to use
* Take a PG Safety Course (presented at the beginning of each class)
* Verify you have meet the requirements with a Public Glass staff member
* Start renting
At any point along the way you can also rent a locker to store your stuff on site. One of our big recommendations is the buddy
system. This is natural in Glass Blowing, but for the first 3-5 times you are renting in any of our shops you need to be there
with someone else and have someone experienced around as well.
What can Public Glass do for me now?
- Help you find partners! You can post a note or flyer on our onsite bulletin board as a way of finding partners or assistants.
Use the facebook group and fanpage as well as a Yahoo Group to put the the word out what you need.
- Help you find mentors! Check out the Rental calendar and stop by to see other folks blowing. You will see a lot of cool and
interesting techniques and meet lots of fellow artists.
- Help you find an instructor to continue your education with private instruction.
- Help you find additional classes at PG that will help you further yourself
What do I need to buy?
That is a great question and there are no perfect answers. As you get further and further into glass art you will find that you
go in your own direction. As a general set of recommendations for purchasing this is a decent order to buy things:
1.Books -
Beginning Glassblowing (Paperback) by Edward T.
Boyce Lundstrom, Fusing Slumping Casting books: Glass Fusing Book One,
Two, Three
Flameworking books
2. Eyewear -
Your very own specialized glasses that protect your eyes or go over your current glasses. These come in different styles and
you can find more about them from:
Glass Working Safety Glasses From Phillip
Sundance Art Glass Center on Safety Glasses
Safety glasses and other supplies
Safety glass site
Supplies -
General:
C&R Loo - Local suppliers of glass, tools and supplies in Richmond, CA
Olympic Color Rods - color, equipment and tools
Steinert Industries - tools and studio equipment
Glass Supply.com color, equipment and tools
Hot Glass Color
Glass:
Bullseye Glass - http://www.bullseyeglass.com/
C&R Loo - Local suppliers of glass, tools and supplies in Richmond, CA
East Bay Batch and Color Local suppliers in Richmond CA
Olympic Color Rods - color, equipment and tools
Glass Blowing:
Spiral Arts - pipes, punties and Carlo Dona tools
Kevlar Sleeves: Olympic Color Rods - color, equipment and tools
Fusing & Kiln Casting:
Douglass and Sturgess - Casting and Mold Making supplies in San Francisco
Centre DeVerre - kilns for glass and ceramics
Slumpy's - Slumping Molds
Flameworking/Lampworking:
Generations GlassLampworking Supplies
Wale Apparatus - flameworking supplies and tools
Arrow Springs - flameworking supplies and tools
Other Information
Safety - CDC report (more than you ever wanted to know about safety including eyeglasses from a government report on beadmakers)
Glassblowing Tools About
Punty & Blowpipe Maintenance
Organizations to Become a Member of
* Glass Art Society
* International Society of Glass Beadmakers
* GLANC(Glass Alliance of Northern California)
* California Glass Exchange
Other Glass Schools
* Pilchuck
* Penland
* Haystack
