East Falls Glassworks

   Class Details and Schedule


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One of our recent Introductory glass blowing classes.  
Skitch looking on as the students 
practice some glassblowing techniques.

New Class Announcements

We are always adding new classes, and welcome your suggestions for class ideas. Become our fan on Facebook to get a notification when new classes are posted.

Glass Studio and School

East Falls Glassworks is not only a glassblowing studio, but also a school offering evening and intensive courses in many different glass working techniques. We get great enjoyment out of sharing our passion for glass with students.

Glass is a fascinating material; the magical process of turning molten glass into art is now within your reach. Our patient, experienced educators can teach you many different ways of forming glass, including blowing, casting and solid-working. We offer a variety of courses and hopefully one of our glass courses fits with your schedule.

We strive to make glass as accessible as more traditional art forms. If you've tried pottery, ceramics, painting, or other mediums, there is no reason you can't work with hot glass as well. In fact, glass blowing has some similarities to pottery, and potters in one of our classes might have a head start for some of the glassblowing skills.

Glass Course Descriptions, Schedule and General Information

Jump to class descriptions. At East Falls Glassworks, we offer glass courses suitable for all levels of experience. Whether you would like to try glassblowing for the first time, or are an established studio artist working in glass, we have classes designed for you. Send us email to sign up for a class or call us at (215) 908-7924. We welcome art school students looking to supplement their curriculum.

Please review our class/registration policies before signing up.

Prices:

  • 1 Day Workshop - $245 including all supplies.
  • 2 Day Intensive - $345 including all supplies.
  • 6 Week Class/Workshop - $470 including all supplies.
  • Private Instruction - typically $120/hr, varies by number of participants and circumstance/special accommodations.

    Private and One-on-one Instruction

    Besides our classes and workshops, private instruction is another option for folks who want to learn how to blow glass or improve their skills. One-on-one instruction can be the fastest way to improve your skills and take you to the next level. Sessions will be fit into your schedule and you will be matched with a teacher who works with you to ensure that your objectives for taking the class are met. Many of the best Philadelphia-area glassblowers are on our teaching roster; whatever your current level of skill, we can help you improve.

    We can also provide customized 'private' options for small groups. Private instruction rates are typically $120/hr, but may vary depending on number of participants and if additional accommodation is necessary. Call the studio or drop us an email for more information or to set up a session.


    March 2012
    Fun With Glass (1 Day)
      Sunday 10:00AM-4:00PM (Mar 4)
    Paperweight/Ornament Workshop (3 Hours)
    Note: This class is offered through the Main Line Art Center. Check out the Main Line Art Center's web site for full details or call the MLAC at 610-525-0272 (ext.10 for the registrar) to enroll.
      Sunday 1:00PM-4:00PM (Mar 18)

    April 2012
    Boyd Sugiki and Lisa Zerkowitz teach Tumblers and Bowls (Intermediate/Advanced Workshop)
      Thursday, Friday 9:00AM-5:00PM (Apr 12-13)
      Saturday 10:00AM-5:00PM (Apr 14) Optional Practice Day
    Fun With Glass (1 Day)
      Sunday 10:00AM-4:00PM (Apr 21)
    Two Day Intensive (2 Day)
      Saturday + Sunday 10:00AM-4:00PM (Apr 21-22)
    Introductory Glassblowing (6 Weeks)
    Note: This class is offered through the Main Line Art Center. Check out the Main Line Art Center's web site for full details or call the MLAC at 610-525-0272 (ext.10 for the registrar) to enroll.
      Saturday 1:30PM-4:30PM (Apr 28, May 5, May 12, May 19, Jun 2, Jun 9)
    Paperweight/Ornament Workshop (3 Hours)
    Note: This class is offered through the Main Line Art Center. Check out the Main Line Art Center's web site for full details or call the MLAC at 610-525-0272 (ext.10 for the registrar) to enroll.
      Sunday 1:00PM-4:00PM (Apr 29)
    Glassblowing II (6 Weeks)
      Saturday 10:00AM-1:30PM (Apr 28, May 5, May 12, May 19, Jun 2, Jun 9)

    May 2012
    Paperweight/Ornament Workshop (3 Hours)
    Note: This class is offered through the Main Line Art Center. Check out the Main Line Art Center's web site for full details or call the MLAC at 610-525-0272 (ext.10 for the registrar) to enroll.
      Sunday 1:00PM-4:00PM (May 20)

    June 2012
    Mold-Blowing Extravaganza with Phil Vinson (2 Day)
      Saturday 8:00AM-5:00PM, Sunday 10:00AM-5:00PM (Jun 2-3)
    Paperweight/Ornament Workshop (3 Hours)
    Note: This class is offered through the Main Line Art Center. Check out the Main Line Art Center's web site for full details or call the MLAC at 610-525-0272 (ext.10 for the registrar) to enroll.
      Sunday 1:00PM-4:00PM (June 17)
    Fun With Glass (1 Day)
      Saturday 10:00AM-4:00PM (Jun 23)
    Two Day Intensive (2 Day)
      Saturday + Sunday 10:00AM-4:00PM (Jun 23-24)
    Introductory Glassblowing (6 Weeks)
    Note: This class is offered through the Main Line Art Center. Check out the Main Line Art Center's web site for full details or call the MLAC at 610-525-0272 (ext.10 for the registrar) to enroll.
      Tuesday 6:30PM-9:30PM (Jun 26, Jul 2, Jul 9, Jul 16, Jul 23, Jul 30)
    Introductory Glassblowing (6 Weeks)
    Note: This class is offered through the Main Line Art Center. Check out the Main Line Art Center's web site for full details or call the MLAC at 610-525-0272 (ext.10 for the registrar) to enroll.
      Saturday 1:30PM-4:30PM (Jun 30, Jul 7, Jul 14, Jul 21, Jul 28, Aug 4)
    Color Techniques (6 Weeks)
      Monday 1:30PM-4:30PM (Jun 25, Jul 2, Jul 9, Jul 16, Jul 23, Jul 30)
    Glassblowing Teen Camp (2 week-long sessions)
    Note: Teen Camp is offered through the Main Line Art Center. Check out the Main Line Art Center's web site for full details or call the MLAC at 610-525-0272 (ext.10 for the registrar) to enroll.
      Session 1: 10:00AM-2:00PM (June 25-29)
    Session 2: 10:00AM-2:00PM (July 2-6)

    July 2012
    Paperweight/Ornament Workshop (3 Hours)
    Note: This class is offered through the Main Line Art Center. Check out the Main Line Art Center's web site for full details or call the MLAC at 610-525-0272 (ext.10 for the registrar) to enroll.
      Sunday 1:00PM-4:00PM (July 15)

    Hot-Glass Experience (2 Hours)

    Back to Schedule
    This is an opportunity to experience hot glass; creation of a paperweight, ornament or vase will be demonstrated, and then participants will be able to design and create one of their own. This is great way to try glass blowing. Our Experiences are specifically designed for 2 or more people. Arrangements can be made for a single participant, however the length of the session will be shorter or the session may be scheduled along with other single participants.

    Pumpkin Workshop (3 Hours)

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    Just in time for the fall, learn how to make your very own glass pumpkin. You could stick to the 'traditional pumpkin' or create something a bit more, errr, contemporary. Who says that pumpkins can't be green, purple and white?

    Fun With Glass (1 Day - $245)

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    This will be a hands-on learning experience in which you will make a number of glass objects while getting a good sense of what is involved in handworking molten glass. Typically participants will make a colorful paperweight, ornament, a small casting, and a blown object or two - such as a cup, bowl, flower vase, or the like. This class is a great way to get a feel for the material before committing to a multi week class or workshop.

    Two Day Intensive (2 Days)

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    Most of the material covered in the Introductory Glassblowing class compressed into two days of intensive learning.

    Teen Camp

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    East Falls Glassworks is offering a fun filled immersion into the world of glassblowing, designed specifically for artists in their teens. Broken into two sessions, the first week will be an exploration into many different ways that art can be made with glass. Students will learn hands-on techniques including sandcasting, cutting and fusing glass a mosaic, sandblasting designs into glass, and of course, actually blowing molten glass. The second week will focus primarily on hotworking glass. Each day will be spent "at the bench" working with basic forms and techniques to make paperweights, ornaments, glasses, bowls and sculptural objects. No prior experience with glass required. Enroll in each session individually or together for a discount of $70. Conflicts with July 4th an also be pro-rated.

    Session 1: June 25-29, 10 am-2 pm, $550
    Session 2: July 2-6 1, 10 am-2 pm, $650
    Sessions start at 10:00AM and end at 2:00PM.
    * Enroll in each session individually or together for a discount of $70.

    Paperweights and Ornaments (3 Hours)

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    Designed for the total beginner, we provide the tools, supplies and instruction needed to create both a solid sculpted paperweight and a blown ornament. These classes are a great way to get a feel for the way glass moves at 2000 degrees and have a fun and exciting afternoon at the same time. Each student will have the option of making at least one of each. Make a couple beautiful glass objects for the same price you would pay in a store!

    Introductory Glassblowing (6 Weeks)

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    If you'd like to try working with hot glass for the first time or would like a refresher course, this is the class for you. We start with an introduction to glassblowing tools and equipment as well as basic techniques. Every week, a different form will be taught. Lots of exercises and hands-on time is provided to build a solid foundation of glass blowing skills.

    Glassblowing II (6 Weeks)

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    This class begins where the Introductory I class leaves off. After concluding this class, students should have enough confidence and glass working skill to rent time and work with a partner. More advanced forms will be taught as well as some basic color techniques.

    Advancing Your Technique (4 Weeks)

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    Advancing Your Technique is a workshop which will focus on improving your glassblowing technique; you will learn how to better work with the heat and blowing out of the vessel. The result will be pieces with more precise wall thickness and controlled proportions. There will be plenty of opportunity to work on hand skills and refining forms. Although this is a four week class, the cost is the same as the 6 week workshops because it is a longer format (4.5 hours vs. 3 hours).

    Mold-Blowing Extravaganza with Phil Vinson

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    Students in this class should have some glassblowing experience. This is a two day workshop where students will get the chance to use many unique molds made by Phil and create molds of their own which will produce never-before-seen objects. The first day starts with demos from 8AM-10AM and include a slide show/session covering materials and techniques. Then student will begin creating their own blow-molds. There will be plenty of time to produce objects from the molds created by the instructor and the students on Sunday.

    Color Techniques (6 Week)

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    This class will cover intermediate and advanced color techniques, exact curriculum will be based on student interest. Possibilities include optic twists/snakeskin, crackle, overlays, graals/Swedish overlays, murrini, encalmo, color fades and cane-working.

    Casting Workshop (6 Weeks)

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    This class will explore in depth the technique of casting glass into plaster molds. Glassblowing skills are not required, but glassblowers will benefit from the class as well. Super-detailed molds will be made out of plaster-silica mixture and participants will be able to immortalize their design in glass. All materials will be provided.