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Glass Blowing in Chicago

December 2, 2013 By Kim
Tagged With: Chicago, DIY, family fun, makerspace, projects, STEAM

Glassblowing workshop. Start with these tubesThe Older Maker Teen and I headed into the city for a morning of glass blowing instruction and practice at Chicago Hot Glass in the Humboldt Park neighborhood. Since making a paperweight in 2008 at Patterson Glass in Mundelein, he’s been asking to do more glassblowing. I thought we were in for something similar, but the ornament-making workshop was different. Instead of heavy, solid weights we made delicate hollow orbs. Perhaps if we celebrated Christmas, the appropriate image (hello, ornaments!) would have come to mind in the first place.

No matter, I’d already rebranded our end product as light catchers. Plus, during our class we used fire and coloring and got to blow glass, so it was still a good time. Our group was small enough that we got plenty of instruction and extra coaching. I can’t say I felt like a pro by the end, but I do sense I moved my needle from beginner to nearly amateur.

Participants pay $65 for the one-hour workshop (ours lasted nearly 1.5 hours) and walk away with 5 pieces plus an interesting experience. It was well worth it. To be clear, this wasn’t a blogger freebie. Rather, it was an early Chanuka gift for my son (and for me).

Now I have to figure out to to string and display my works of art. They look good from a distance, whereas up close it’s apparent they are flawed and misshapen. Is that a metaphor for my life? At any rate, I’ll post a picture when I figure out my display.

Check out the play by play below.

Chicago hot glass ornament workshop
Chicago Hot Glass workshop
Chicago Hot Glass heating glass

Chicago Hot Glass with the Maker Mom

Blowing glass at CHicago hot glass
DIY christmas ornaments from Chicago Hot Glass
Ornaments made at Chicago Hot Glass

Comments

  1. Melisa says

    December 3, 2013 at 4:34 am

    WOW! So cool!

  2. The Risky Kids says

    December 3, 2013 at 12:18 pm

    Even though it wasn’t *exactly* what you were expecting … those are SO cool! You guys look like pros to me.

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About Kim

Kim headshot Summer 2012 I’m a Chicago-area mom / empty-nester who is passionate about sharing ideas and resources to raise kids who love Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM). I’m a published author, blogger, vlogger, baker and maker. I love to travel, especially on trips that involve hiking and other active endeavors, farm tours, and learning new things in general.[Read More...]

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