RECOMMENDATION // First Glass Education
First Glass Education
Recommendations for the glass-art curious
PA Guild of Craftsmen
pacrafts.org
Fused glass and stained-glass hearts. Stained-glass fish and double stars. “Starry night” and glass flower pendants. Introduction to glassblowing. The PA Guild of Craftsmen offers a wide range of ongoing classes for would-be glass artists interested in trying out beginner projects. Many classes are located in Lancaster County, just a day trip away from Philadelphia. Sign up early, as most classes sell out! If you become a member of the guild, you’ll get a 10 percent discount on your education, and classes are largely one-night experiences in which all materials are included for $75–$118. Make it a family affair: Many classes are appropriate for kids as young as 13. If you’re a crafty person with multiple interests, you can also check out their offerings to learn to work with other materials, including wood, metal, leather, fiber, and clay; you can learn jewelry making, basket weaving, and fine art. If it’s something that really interests you, they also offer classes such as “Fine Craft as a Business.” If you’re looking for a shopping experience, check out their two signature fairs: The summer Fine Craft Fair at Foundry 48 Event Center in Lititz, PA, is June 21 and 22; the fall Fine Craft Fair is at Greater Philadelphia Expo Center, or “Oaks Expo,” located in Oaks, PA, from September 27 and 28.
East Falls Glassworks
eastfallsglass.com
East Falls Glassworks welcomes experienced artists as well as those who have “never felt the thrill of manipulating 2000 degree molten glass.” Beginners’ workshop prices range from $98 to $132. You can learn to make vases, drinking glasses, bowls, air plant holders, stemless wine glasses, ornaments, paperweights, and… pumpkins. (We have no idea about how the pumpkins got top billing among other fruits and vegetables, but we’ll take it.) East Falls is a place where you can grow, as multi-week courses and intensives are available as you become more experienced. Private lessons and team-building experiences are also available—there’s nothing like telling that problem colleague to go blow.
Jim Loewer Glass
loewerglass.com
If you’re looking for a more bespoke experience, Jim Loewer Glass offers private experiences that start at $320 for a beginner; three package lessons are $410, and a package of five is $475. If you cruise through that and want intermediate or expert classes, they’re less expensive at $150 per class. If you’d rather have some friends around, he offers a “pendant party” option. Loewer has an amply stocked online store of glass wares—the requisite glasses, vases, witchballs, and paperweights—but you can also get your hands on just what you’ve always wanted: a handblown hedgehog ornament. //
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