Our Process

Want to know more about what you will experience during your time at Dallas Glass Art?

Welcome

Guests arrive at our studio on Chancellor Row and are greeted by our host and presented with the available options for items to make during their time in the Hot Shop.

Introduction

The host then explains the color choices and notates each person’s item and color choice. The guests are seated then observe a brief narrated demonstration of what they will experience as they move through the actual glassblowing activity. The guests are fitted with safety glasses at which time the instructor will begin their individual lesson.

Gathering

The instructor explains how to hold the punty (the metal rod used to gather and blow glass) and gives the guest an opportunity to hold the pipe before beginning. The instructor then moves to the main furnace containing hot, molten glass and gathers the 1st layer of glass, bringing the pipe back to the guest to apply color after cooling the punty.

Color Application

The guest then applies color in the form of frit, small pieces of colored glass, to the initial gather of glass, alternating from color to the 2100 degree furnace, then to color and back to the furnace again. This may occur several times depending on the piece. The instructor may then marver (rolling, shaping, and cooling) the molten glass to shape and also create various effects with the color.

Shaping

The instructor will blow into the punty sending a pocket of air, inflating the glass (for blown pieces) then hands the punty back to the guest to heat the piece again in the furnace, keeping the glass hot. The guest then takes a seat at the bench (seated station) where an instructor explains various tools that will be used to shape the piece. Once shaped, the piece is delivered to the knock-off table where the guest will tap the punty to release it. An instructor may torch a portion to remove any sharp edges then transfer the piece to an annealer where it will cool slowly to room temperature.

Annealing & Coldworking

The process of annealing can take 12-24 hours depending on the size of the item being made. For this reason, pieces are not available to take home immediately. Once removed from the annealer, some items may require coldworking. Cold working as it sounds, is changing the shape or surface texture of glass using tools and processes that do not rely on heat. Cold working methods include grinding, carving, engraving, polishing, sandblasting, and other techniques. For vessels such as vases and drinking glasses, coldworking is performed to provide a flat and stable base.

Pickup

Guests’ pieces are then packaged and labeled and available 5 days after the event 7 days a week, 8am – 4pm at the same location they attended. If a guest cannot pick up their piece, we do offer shipping options through UPS.

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Check out our FAQs or feel free to contact us at any time.