Make Glass for Christmas at The Hot Shop at Orange Beach Arts Center

Submitted by Wanda W. Price

Come blow an ornament to give someone special or make a paperweight for a friend. At The Hot Shop at Orange Beach Arts Center you can create glass in one of the many class offerings. You will have the experience to keep and also a gift to give. A new offering from the Hot Shop will be a exciting glass casting class. In this special class you can personalize, with special memory objects, a cast glass bowl. The mold, created with sand, will be imprinted with objects you bring to class. Your personal design will then appear in the glass as it is cast. The completed project will be a treasure for years to come. To enroll or for more information call the Arts Center at 251-981-2787.

FRIDAYS & SATURDAYS
Make Your Own Glass Ornament - $20
Make Your Own Paperweight - $35
The Hot Shop is open each Friday and Saturday from 10:00am until 1:00pm for "Make Your Own Glass" classes. Make an appointment (251.981.2787) or drop in. You will have the opportunity to experience hot glass. Glass artist Joe Hobbs will demonstrate the creation of an ornament or paperweight, then you will be able to design and create one of your own! This is a fun way to experience glassblowing for the very first time. Come alone or with a group of friends.

MEMORIES IN GLASS - BEGINNING SAND CASTING
Wednesday, December 2
6:00pm - 8:00pm a one day work shop
Fee: $45 all supplies and equipment provided
Instructor: Sam Cornman
Learn about hot glass casting while creating a momentous piece of art. Students will cast a creation out of molten hot glass in Orange Beaches' very own sand! Bring a small object (8"x8" or smaller) to imprint in the sand and learn the glass art of casting. The memory objects will be used for impressions in the sand and will not be harmed. Examples of objects to bring: military metals, antique jewelry, sea shells.

FLAMEWORKING - BEGINNING
Wednesday, November 18th; December 9; December 16
6:00pm - 8:00pm a one day work shop
Fee: $70 all supplies and equipment provided
Instructor: Sam Cornman
Learn how to create and work with molten hot glass at the torch. Students will learn the basic techniques of how to work with borosilicia glass through projects such as creating a bead and an ornament. Students will also be instructed on how to blow a glass bubble. This class is limited to tree students.

GLASS BLOWING FOR BEGINNERS I
$150 - a one day workshop! November 21; December 12, Saturday 2pm - 5pm
This three hour class is designed to give beginners an introduction to basic glassblowing. The class will give students ample hands on experience as they learn classic techniques such as shaping the glass, making basic forms and apply basic color to the glass. By the end of the work shop students will have made paperweights, ornaments and vessels. Students can expect to make 2 to 4 pieces, which will be ready to take home the next day. Shipping is available for visiting students. To Sign Up for Classes Call 251.981.2787.

GLASS BLOWING FOR BEGINNERS II
$150 - a one day workshop! December 5, December 19, Saturday, 2pm - 5pm
Building on the skills learned in Beginners I, students will learn how to gather glass out of the furnace and reheat. These skills are necessary for students to start to make pieces totally on their own. With ample instruction, students will make blown vessels from start to finish. Students can expect to make 2 to 4 pieces, which will be ready to take home the next day. Shipping is available for visiting students. To Sign Up for Classes Call 251.981.2787.

INTERMEDIATE GLASS BLOWING
$150 - a one day workshop! Call for Dates and Times
Students who have taken Glass Blowing For Beginners I & II at The Hot Shop or another facility can register for our Intermediate Glass Blowing Class. Techniques for shaping, color application, and design will be explored in more depth in these continuing classes. Students must purchase their own color at this level. To Sign Up for Classes Call 251.981.2787.

ADVANCED GLASS BLOWING
$150 - a one day workshop! Call for Dates and Times
Prerequisites Beginning I, II, and Intermediate Glass Blowing are necessary to take this class. Students should be capable of gathering, heating and making simple blown shapes. New skills such as handles and bit work will be introduced, as well as advanced color application. After taking this class along with the prerequisites, students are eligible to rent The Hot Shop for personal use.