Classes and workshops

 Offered at The Canal Fulton Glassworks

The Canal Fulton Glassworks is proud to offer classes and one day workshops in hot glass working. No prior glass working experience is necessary. We strive to offer participants a safe and positive art glass experience. Participants must be at least 15 years of age and in good health.  

Workshops are held on Saturdays at 10:00am and 2:00pm and last 2 hours. 

Class size is limited to 4-5 students on a first come, first served basis. 

Workshops are $50 (plus tax) per person. All fees must be paid before the class begins.

To reserve a class spot, a $10 deposit is required. Gift Certificates are available at the gallery.

Current workshop projects

Glass paperweights - Our starter class. Students will try their hand at making an art glass paperweight. Through the use of wooden shaping blocks and other hand tools, students will form a classic art glass piece.

Glass flowers - Prerequisite: must take the paperweight class first. Students will try their hand at making a free formed glass flower. This is a fun and  challenging project. Glass is manipulated with a pair of tweezers to create this classic form.

Current Hot Glass Workshop Schedule

Classes are offered on Saturdays at 10:00 AM and again at 2:00 PM. Contact us for special times or days if Saturday does not fit your schedule. A reservation is required. A deposit of $10 is required to hold a class spot. Please note: Because glass must cool down over a 24 hour period, it will be necessary to return to the studio some time after the class to pick your completed projects up.

Glass Bead Making Classes

Glass bead making classes are offered on an individual basis. You will receive one on one instruction. Our instructor has been making glass beads since 1994. We offer classes for beginners with no experience or intermediate classes for individuals with some experience. Introductory classes will cover the history of glass bead making, safety practices, and fundamental techniques for creating basic glass beads. Intermediate classes will focus on advanced techniques as determined by the student. We utilize a propane and oxygen torch in our studio - not a single fuel torch. 

No experience necessary. Call the studio to schedule a class at your convenience - 330-854-2966. The  minimum class time is 2 hours and cost $50. All materials included. Additional hours of instruction are available at a cost of $25 per hour.

Please note: Because glass must cool down over a 24 hour period, it will be necessary to return to the studio some time after the class to pick your completed projects up.

In order for participants to have a positive experience while taking a class at the Canal Fulton Glassworks, a few ground rules and suggestions must be observed.

Proper Attire – Because the glass studio is a hot environment, do not wear heavy clothing. Clothing should be made of cotton. A long sleeved cotton shirt is recommended to protect you from the heat.  Shorts are ok to wear but pants are preferred. Absolutely no spandex or nylon clothing shall be worn – basically any fabric that will melt is prohibited. One hundred percent natural fibers required.

Footwear -- Closed toe shoes only. Absolutely no sandals, heals, or shoes made of rubber or plastic – no “crocs”. Keep in mind that the shop floor is concrete and that most of the class time will probably entail standing. Sturdy tennis shoes will work fine.

Jewelry – metal items worn on the body conduct heat. This would include rings, necklaces, bracelets, etc. Rings may also get snagged on tools. It is recommended that you not wear jewelry while working with hot glass. We are not responsible for any lost items.

Glasses – glasses are preferred over contact lenses because of the heat in the glass shop. Safety glasses will be provided when you are handling molten glass including clip-on eye shields that can be worn over prescription eyewear.

All class participants must sign a Waiver and Release form before entering the hot shop. All class fees must be paid in advance. There are no refunds once the class has started.

Proper Hydration – Water is available in the shop, but it is recommended that you bring a personal water bottle.

Smoking – Smoking is prohibited in the glass shop. It is also recommended that you refrain from eating in the shop as well.

Assume that anything you can touch in the glass shop is hot. Some pieces of equipment will definitely give you a burn. The instructor will go over all of the equipment and explain what things are. Hand tools will also become hot due to contact with the molten glass. If the instructor says “STOP!” – please listen.

Please arrive at least 15 minutes prior to the class start time. The instructor will provide a short glass shop orientation with an emphasis on staying safe and having an enjoyable time. The instructor will give a demonstration of the piece you will be making. Each participant will then get to try their hands at making the project. Watch, listen, and most importantly, have fun. Feel free to ask questions. The only ‘stupid’ question is the one you don’t ask. We want this experience to be enjoyable. If at any time you feel uncomfortable, just let us know. 

Please note: Because glass must cool down over a 24 hour period, it will be necessary to return to the studio some time after the class to pick your completed projects up. The pickup time will be arranged the day of the class.

Always listen to the instructor. We are here to provide you with a safe and positive hot glass experience. Be courteous to your fellow classmates. We reserve the right to remove any disruptive participants due to the serious nature of hot glass working.

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