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Intro Classes

Great for anyone new to glass, no experience is needed for any of these classes

Class registration is closed 2 days before the start of a class

All classes have a max of 4 students per class. To check class availability and available spots go to our intro class calendar page

Take a first step into the world of molten glass with this 3-hour class. This class is designed for anyone who is new to glass. You will get to see the glass go from a liquid state all the way to solid. Students will use tools to pull, cut, and twist the glass in order to create color patterns.   Each student will get one-on-one instructor help with every step of the process.  In this class you will learn the basics of solid glass sculpture.

Please wear closed toed shoes and comfortable clothes. A water bottle is recommended

Interested in seeing in how the blown part of glass blowing works? This is the class for you. In our play with fire class students get to see how solid glass sculpting works. This class is designed to introduce you to the basics of creating a blown glass vessel! You will learn how to add air into the glass through a blowpipe, add color, and shape the glass using gravity and metal tools. With guided instruction, you will be able to take home a totally original, functional handblown glass. 

Please wear closed toed shoes and comfortable clothes. A water bottle is recommended.
 

This 3 hours class is a perfect first time experience.  You will get a tour of studio/equipment, watch a demo from your instructor and then work one-on-one with your instructor to make your own glass flower. Students will get to pull glass out of the furnace, add color to molten glass, and use steel tools to shape the flower. You'll learn the skills of how to heat, and using gravity, to form the molten glass. No prior experience is needed.

 

Please wear closed toed shoes and comfortable clothes. A water bottle is recommended.

In this beginner friendly class learn how to make your own small ruffled bowl. This 3 hour class will introduce you to the glassblowing furnace, bench and how to use all of the glassblowing tools. The teacher will demo the item for you to see the steps and take each person one on one to make their bowl. Much like making a cup this object is made through using a blow pipe and blowing to expand the glass as well as spinning out the glass to get the ruffled edges.

 

Must be 13 years old to participate. 

Please wear closed toed shoes and comfortable clothes. A water bottle is recommended.

Get excited for Fall with us by making your very own glass pumpkin! Achieve your own vision of a great pumpkin by learning the basics of blowing a bubble, adding your choice of colors, and get tips and tricks for adding a fun, unique stem. Students can expect to make at least 1 pumpkin each per 3-hour workshop. No experience required – great for beginners! Must be 13 years old to participate. 

 

Please wear closed toed shoes and comfortable clothes. A water bottle is recommended.

Get in the holiday spirit by creating your very own hand-blown holiday ornaments! You will learn how to get glass out of the furnace and blow molten glass, choose and add glass color, and make one of a kind gifts for family and friends. No experience required – great for beginners! Must be 13 years old to participate. 

 

Please wear closed toed shoes and bring a water bottle.

Fusing

Jump into the world of fused and slumped sheet glass in this 3 hour introductory class. In this fusing class, beginners will get to design your own small dishes using sheet glass that will be shaped in the kiln.  In order to create patterns with glass, students will learn to cut, as well as layer colors using crushed glass called frit.  The glass will be fired once in the kiln to be melted together and put in a kiln  a second time to be slumped over a ceramic mold to be shaped. Students can choose between plates, coasters, platters or soap dishes. 

This 3-hour workshop will introduce students to the process of cutting, shaping and layering sheet glass into a unique and colorful creation themed for the season. Themes include pumpkins, leaves, Halloween, Thanksgiving, and more. Learn how to use stencils, pack glass into molds or freeform glass shapes together to make your own creation. Students can make either decorative tiles, hanging ornaments, or plates.  This workshop is a great way to learn the basics of fusing in a fun and family-friendly atmosphere. Ages 7+ (under 13 requires parental supervision). 

Winter is coming.  Time to celebrate the season with this 3 hour seasonal fusing class. Fusing involves taking sheet glass or little bits of glass called, frit, to be layered into a design of your choice. From there your glass will be put into a kiln to be fused together.  Make your very own melted snowmen, winter tree, wreath, presets, dreidel or much more. Learn how to use stencils, pack glass into molds or freeform glass shapes together to make your own creation. Students can make either decorative tiles, hanging ornaments, or plates.  This workshop is a great way to learn the basics of fusing in a fun and family-friendly atmosphere. Ages 7+ (under 13 requires parental supervision). 

In this 3 hour class, students will make glass marbles or pendants using borosilicate glass over an oxygen/propane torch. Students learn how to torch solid tubes of glass in order to layer transparent or opaque colors to form shapes and patterns in a marble.   Students will learn stretch, cut, twist, and layer colored glass in this class.  No prerequisite is needed.

Interested in learning more about flameworking? The next step is to take the 4 week level 1 class in the flameshop!

Flameworking

Obsessed with Octopuses? So are we! In this 3 hour class, students work with an oxygen propane torch to sculpt one octopus out of glass.  Students start with solid glass clear rods and layer on color rods to create stripes, dots or swirls. To shape the glass, a torch is used to heat, cut, flatten, and stretch the glass using steel and graphite tools. \

 

Must be 13 years or older to participate. 

Please wear closed toed shoes and comfortable clothes. A water bottle is recommended.
The next step is to take the 4 week level 1 class in the flameshop!

 

Ever wondered how these tiny little glass animals are made? Get a close up and personal experience at making your very own in this introductory class. In this 3 hour class, you will get to make your own little glass animal sculpture. Students will use solid glass rods over an oxygen propane torch to heat, cut, flatten, and sculpt using steel and graphite tools.  Students will learn how to layer glass, add texture and use gravity to form shapes.

Interested in learning more about flameworking? The next step is to take the 4 week level 1 class in the flameshop!

Stained Glass

This is a great introductory class that is meant to teach anyone the basics of stained glass in just 3 hours. There will be precut pieces of glass shaped like honey comb where students will first get to design their honey comb configuration. Students will then learn how to add copper foil the sheet glass, how to use a soldering iron and use solder to connect all of the glass pieces together.  Chains are included in this class to hang it in your window. Must be at least 7 years old with parental supervision and 13 years old with out parental supervision.

 

Also check out the Stained Glass Level 1 class for a 4 week immersive experience if you are looking to learn every part of the process!

In this 3 hour class, you will make your own necklace and pair or earrings set out of  your choice of sheet glass.  You will learn to cut, grind and solder sheet glass into any desired shape with the help of an instructor. No experience needed for this beginner class. Earring hooks and necklace chains not provided. Great for intro into the process of stained glass. Must be at least 7 years old with parental supervision and 13 years old with out parental supervision.

Also check out the Stained Glass Level 1 class for a 4 week immersive experience if you are looking to learn every part of the process!

Coldworking
Address

1750 Armstrong Ave
San Francisco, CA 94124

Gallery & Office

By appointment only.

 

Please email

info@publicglass.org

to arrange a time.

​​

Rental Hours

Closed Mondays

 

Tuesday to Friday

8am to 9:30pm

 

Saturday & Sunday

9am to 10:30pm

Public Glass is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization; Tax ID #94-3253918.

All or a portion of donations may be tax-deductible as prescribed by law.

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