GLASSBLOWING EXPERIENCES & MASTERCLASSES
MAKE A PAPERWEIGHT EXPERIENCE £149.00
This is exactly what it says on the tin. In approximately one to two hours you will get the opportunity to choose all elements of style, colour and pattern to be able to make your own paperweight. After choosing your design you will then be gathering molten glass on a blowing iron out of our roaring furnace to create your own bespoke paperweight. You can try a traditional round version, or, make a heart shape, a bird or a spiral one. It is quite a magical experience watching your paperweight take shape.
ONE DAY GLASSBLOWING EXPERIENCE £450.00pp & MASTER CLASSES.
This is our most popular glass experience of all and the most cost effective to you, as you make many pieces to take home all in one day! (afterwards your work needs to cooled though! You will make up to £1000.00 worth of retail glass. THIS EXPERIENCE IS RESTRICTED PURELY FOR BEGINNERS OR TO THOSE WHOM HAVE TAKEN LESS THAN FOUR OF THESE CLASSES WITH US; if further classes are desired, we can offer master classes which is advancing to the next level).
All of our glass experiences are exciting and fun, but especially a one day class. The one day class is our most popular class of all; it is also the most intense of all.
These intense programmes can be tailored to suit a complete novice or a more experienced glass maker, as we work individually with you to create whatever you wish. They are loss-leaders to us, as a student goes home with many pieces, but it is better than advertising for us, as people talk about their experience naturally afterwards with such enthusiasm and passion, which leads to publicity for us.
For a complete novice starting out glass making, we begin the day with an intensive health and safety briefing, as do all of our classes. We explain the dangers of working with molten glass at lava-like temperatures, and how to have a great day without burning oneself! Our priority is for you to have a GREAT day, but a safe day!
It is possible for a student to make on average around 4-8 good pieces of glass in one day, ranging in size. It should be possible for a student to go home with a large vase, a medium bowl, a flower (or a bird), a round paperweight and some Pandora-style beads (these should all be achievable to make in one day, depending on the size of the glass items you have chosen to make; the larger the pieces the longer the time, the less you will make, but you are the driving force to what you make).
We run glass experiences everyday except Mondays and Fridays, (as we close those days). You will initially have a go on a small scale item first, to gain your confidence. We get you used to how the glass works by trying a small flameworked bead on a mandrel. Moving up in size to a paperweight of your choice of style, pattern and colour etc,. After completing these two challenges we let you loose on the larger pieces in blown and solid glass drawn out from the furnace. You will be shaping the molten lava-like glass with wet newspapers, adding colours to the glass and glassblowing and sculpting the glass into the forms that you wish to create. You will be constantly guided and reassured during your whole experience - we will never leave you alone for a second!
With all of our classes we can take advance bookings of up to two years in advance, if required. (mainly if people want to book into one of the hotels locally and secure a space). Spaces do go very quickly and we are generally booked up to around six to eight weeks in advance, so do book in as early as you can to avoid disappointment. It is possible to either book a specific date on purchase, or we can offer vouchers which are valid for two years, which is usually more flexible. If booking as a gift for someone else.
When booking a voucher, we can either email a PDF voucher or post out a flat packed version, which includes a scroll and ribbon to roll, scroll and tie into a bow to present (£3 extra for P &P), OR, we can gift wrap in our studio with celophanes, tissues, ribbons and bows, which is at no extra cost ready for collection by you.
We never put strangers in a class together, unless you wish to do a class with someone else, or are booked in on a team building day. If your class is booked for you alone, you will receive one hundred percent attention on you and your class will be run one to one.
On a one or two day glass experience you will have the options of trying your hand at a variety of hot glass techniques and styes, with a wealth of colours and shapes to choose from. We encourage you to design and create your own pieces and challenge yourself. We will coach you according - you are only limited by your own imagination and time!
When anyone is on one of our classes, we are happy for you to bring someone along with you to watch and take photographs of you at work. If there is more than one person wishing to watch you, we will need prior notice in order that we can accommodate this around our other visitors.
MASTER CLASSES for the more advanced student £650.00 One day individual tuition.
SINGLE-ITEM GLASSBLOWING EXPERIENCES:
This is an opportunity of having a go at glassblowing, without committing to a whole days experience. If a full day glassblowing experience is too much, for whatever reason it is possible to have a go in a short space of time, choosing your colours, style and patterns and making any of the below:
MAKE A PANDORA STYLE BEAD £115.00pp
New! MAKE A GLASS CHRISTMAS/FRIENDSHIP BAUBLE £179.00pp
MAKE A SMALL VASE OR GLASS (WHISKY SIZED) £189.00pp
MAKE A MEDIUM VASE, BOWL OR PINT GLASS £220.00pp
MAKE A LARGE VASE OR BOWL £299.00pp
New! COUPLES AFTERNOON GLASSBLOWING EXPERIENCE £325.00 each!
(£650.00 per couple).
This is the chance for a couple of you; whether it is with your partner or your bestie... to come along and have an afternoon emersed in all things glass! You will both have the chance to have a go at making a flame-worked bead on a small scale (usually £115.00 each!) and then follow on to the larger scale glassblowing and make a piece of your choice (example of; either a large bowl/vase each, usually £299.00 each! you choose we help you achieve it). We also offer you the option of seeing a professional glassblowing demonstration too as part of your experience (if you wish to).
This experience is only available for two people or more at only £325.00 each!.
TWO DAY GLASSBLOWING EXPERIENCE £850.00
The first day is a very similar experience to the one day class, however on the second day we develop more intricate techniques and designs further. It is a more intensive course for someone with a real interest and passion for glass. A lot can be achieved within the two days with many pieces to take home.
CORPORATE TEAM BUILDING PROJECTS (P.O.A.)
Glass making is a team activity perfect for learning to work together and depend on each other, as well as learning glass making – Programmes tailor made to suit your team and business.
STUDIO HIRE - PRICE ON APPLICATION For an experienced and university qualified glass maker we also hire out our glass benches and assistants for you to make your own glass - please enquire directly. You will be required to have your own insurance and qualification certificates required on application, via our insurers.
Unfortunately we are not hiring out at present as we are so busy making our own work - sorry!.
Click here to see an example of one of our glass experiences by Chris Connell
Please call or email us to book in or purchase a voucher: info@ingridpears.com or M: 07803048747
When glassblowing we mainly take texts, Whatsapp and calls on our mobile, which diverts to wherever we are, or leave a message on our studio landline LL: 01623824881
Testimonials
Thank you for a great day, I felt very safe, well instructed and informed at every step of the many processes I went through to make the items I did.
For anybody who is thinking of giving a day experience of glass making as a present or wanting to have a go, please take it from me, it will be the best decision you make.
I felt that I was not expected to have any previous experience. If you have, I feel that the day will move forward at your pace and capabilities. I felt that Ingrid is excellent at her art and is able to judge when it is necessary to step in and help, or just encourage you to continue. I surprised myself with what I achieved, and I feel that was down to Ingrid‘s ability at her art and who she is, a wonderful lady.
On a practical level; the information on what to wear is good. On health and safety is spot on. In the current climate, face shields are worn by everybody and all involved maintain a safe distance, only stepping forward if necessary. The top priority is to keep everybody safe whilst enjoying the experience. 
Mandy Durber 2020
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Glass commissions
Ingrid Pears undertakes private and public glass commissions of all types of design, size, budgets and techniques. We are fortunate to have all forms of glass making here at Ingrid Pears Hot Glass Studios, from blown glass, warm glass kiln-forming, flame-working to cold finishing, sandblasting and stained glass. We enjoy all forms of glass making and have specialists in each area, whom can help create that special piece that you are looking for. You may find that the special piece that you require already exists in our gallery - Please come and take a look.
Glassblowing Demonstrations
Enjoy an awe inspiring 'free' glassblowing demonstration with your family and friends. Including a full commentary, from the glass being gathered out of the hot furnaces, glassblowing, shaping and colour techniques to the history of glass. You can watch it all unfold before your eyes from liquid glass to the finished article.
Please contact us in advance to ensure that we are glassblowing and there is space for you to join us.
Exclusive two hour glassblowing demonstrations for groups over ten people. We charge £10 per head, including free refreshments.