Hot Glass Classes

Book a Class

You can register for classes by simply clicking the”Book a Class”  link above!  For those not so tech savvy, we still like to chat on the phone, so you can always call us or stop in.  For those who have our handwritten gift certificates to redeem, you’ll still have to call us.  Our new online gift certificates, which we began to use mid 2021, are integrated so if there is a ‘voucher code’ you can use that to book your class online!

Our class sizes are small –typically 6-8 students to 2 instructors.  If you have a group that is larger than 6, we may be able to accommodate you during an afternoon class session on a Saturday.  Scroll down to learn about all the glass blowing classes offered, appropriate for those age 14+ and for complete beginners.  Please note:  ALL BLOWN GLASS MUST COOL OR ‘ANNEAL’ OVERNIGHT IN A KILN AND WILL NOT BE AVAILABLE TO TAKE WITH YOU.  You will receive information regarding hours for pick up Tuesdays-Saturdays.  We are able to ship some projects and are experienced at packing glass, however, some breakage does occasionally occur during shipping.

We have been happily teaching our love of glass for 18+ years so we book earlier and faster than ever!  We appreciate all the great word of mouth, kind reviews and glass fans who keep our place buzzing!

You can book classes four months in advance, only our pumpkin class has specific release date for the entire season of classes (we need to have our late summer/fall art show schedule before we can offer classes)   If you have a special occasion, guests visiting or other specific date you need to get in for a workshop our biggest advice:  book waaaay in advance!  We are grateful to be so busy but also hate to disappoint, so make it a win win and plan as far ahead as you can!  Classes in the hot shop can book 8+ weeks in advance, especially for Saturday sessions, and often even further out during glass pumpkin season (late August – November)  We will open registration for the glass pumpkin class on June 3rd, 2024 around noon.

Want creative fun but our glass blowing classes are full?  Check out our glass fusing studio!

https://hotshopglass.com/glass-fusing/

OUR CANCELLATION POLICY  :

You may reschedule your session or receive a credit to use toward a future class  if you give us at least three weeks notice.  If we have less than three weeks notice, we can only reschedule you if we are able to book the session.  (This includes a reduction in the number of people in your group. )

In the event of a requested refund to a credit card, this is only an option if we fill the cancellation with another participant and minus a 10% fee to cover the cost of credit card processing.

Thank you for your understanding.

We recommend making your reservations as far in advance as possible. . .  we are a popular place and when we are booked, we are booked! We sometimes have last minute openings,  so be sure to try us if you’d like to take a class last minute!  Click on the  ‘Book A Class’ button to see availability.

If you have questions, aren’t tech savvy or have a hand written GIFT CERTIFICATE, please call us 262.833.00950 email info@hotshopglass.com to make a reservation.

*Payment is due at time of registration for all of our classes.

 

Glass Blowing Classes

Held Tuesday & Thursday evenings – one hour sessions at 6pm and 7:30pm 

Saturdays at 10am, 11:30, 1:30 and 3pm.

Explore Glass Workshop — Make a Paperweight or an Ornament!

explore-hot-shop-glass-racine-wi-1sm

Our ‘flagship’ Glass Blowing class since 2005! A great hands on, interactive glass experience.  Participants can choose to make a sculpted paperweight, blown ornament or gazing ball.  Dozens of color choices and design options to inspire you.  We do the tricky parts to ensure everyone gets a beautiful finished piece created & designed by you!  Don’t worry, we have lots of samples you can copy if you don’t feel creative!

$75 per person, all inclusive.  Offered January-late August, late November & December.  One & half hour sessions Tuesdays &  Thursday evenings, Two hour sessions Saturday mornings & afternoons.

SPECIALTY  Beginner CLASSES  Offered Seasonally……

Glass Heart Paperweight Class!  — Make your own heart shaped keepsake!

$85 per person, all inclusive.

Join us for this fun class and learn to sculpt a beautiful heart from molten glass.  Lots of colors to choose from, including sparkly aventurine glass!

Offered in January & February.  One & half hour sessions Tuesdays &  Thursday evenings, Two hour sessions Saturday mornings & afternoons.

Blown Bowl class!    –make a beautiful little dish!  Great for Spring!

This double walled bowl is great as candy or nut bowl, with a clear pedastal bottom, these are sturdy bowls meant to be used!

$85, all inclusive, One & half hour sessions Tuesdays &  Thursday evenings, Two hour sessions Saturday mornings & afternoons. Season runs the end of March on select dates through May.

 

Glass CACTUS Class!– Make your own blown glass cacti with mold pressed flower!

Perfect for the heat of summer in a hot shop!  Join us for this fun new beginner workshop on select Tuesday and Thursday evenings and Saturdays.  It’s been a big hit and only available during the summer months – limited spaces available in June through mid August.

$95, all inclusive, One & half hour sessions Tuesdays &  Thursday evenings, Two hour sessions Saturday mornings & afternoons.

 

Glass PUMPKIN Class!– Make your own blown glass sculpted pumpkin!

Offered August  through Thanksgiving. Join in a one hour class and create your own blown glass pumpkin.  A variety of colors for pumpkin and stems are available to make your piece unique to you!  This is a great activity for family, friends, dates or on your own!

Our most popular specialty class, registration will open online again June 3rd, 2024 around noon! THIS CLASS SOLD OUT IN 24 HOURS.  Set a reminder in your phone so you don’t forget!

Tuesday & Thursday evenings at 6:00pm, Saturday mornings at 10am and afternoons at 1:00pm with 6-10 students per workshop.

$110, all inclusive.  One & half hour sessions Tuesdays &  Thursday evenings, Two hour sessions Saturday mornings & afternoons.

Date Night Glass Blowing Class! 

Friday Nights from 5:30-7:00pm ish….

This fun hands on workshop is designed as a ‘next step’ for those who have enjoyed our make & take type glass blowing classes listed above.  Two of you will join an artist/instructor in our studio for this special private workshop.  Together you will design a vase and two drinking glasses as you further your understanding and skills in working with hot glass!  All inclusive class fee is $325 and includes a $25 gift certificate to enjoy food or beverages at your favorite downtown spot after class.  This class is released about 2 months ahead of the dates available and books quickly.  You are welcome to take this workshop as an individual!  It doesn’t have to be a ‘date.’


 


Private Instruction, Rentals & Corporate Team Building Activities.

Private Instruction:
Hot Shop Glass instructors may have Tuesday or Thursday weekday availability for those wishing to learn the skills to blow glass with the focus on the process, not a product.  Those with some glass experience wishing to further their skills may schedule ongoing weekday time with an instructor.  We do not offer private classes for groups when our regular class schedule is full.  Due to our show schedule and demand for custom work we offer classes to the public when we can and typically can not stray from that schedule.

Cost is $70 per hour for one bench and instructor.

Studio Rental:
Skilled glass blowers may rent the studio and work independently with studio staff approval. Cost is $50 per hour for use of tools, clear glass, annealing space, one bench & one glory hole.  Renters must complete a simple ‘tumbler test’ to demonstrate basic knowledge and skill.  Typically only occassional Tuesday or Thursday blow slots are available due to our production and teaching schedule.

Our studio uses Spruce Pine Batch and has a variety of gaffer, reichenbach and kugler color for sale in a variety of frit sizes as well as bar.

Corporate Team Building:

Over the years we have hosted corporate groups from many corporations throughout the region including (but not all inclusive!) from Case, Johnson Wax, Johnson Financial, Sargento Foods, Harley Davidson, Twin Disk, Uline,  as well as high school & college art clubs and local church groups.

We offer the ‘make and take’ classes listed above for groups 8-14 people on Wednesday and Friday afternoons.  Please call or email us for availability.

Gift Certificates are available for all of our workshops, see our Gift Certificate tab!

Registration Information:

All fees for classes must be paid in advance.  See our cancellation policy listed above. 

All students must sign a waiver of liability, comply with all studio policy and procedures and be over age 14.

Parent or guardian must sign a release for those 14-17 years old. Click on these two links to print the forms:  2020 safety policy hsg and Hold Harmless HSG 11:23

Gift Certificates are available!

Visiting Artist Ed Schmid works with glass artists from Racine, Kenosha, Milwaukee & Appleton during his 3 day visit April of 2017.

 

Glass artist & instructor Holly Wolf-Mattick assists Ed Schmid, visiting artist from Bellingham Washington, during a community event creating glass art for The Prairie School Premier, April 2017. Ed Schmid is an internationally known author, artist and instructor. His visit was a collaboration between The Prairie School Art Department and Hot Shop Glass.