Learn the Art of
Flameworking
Shape molten glass and experience the joy of creating one-of-a-kind pieces with the help of a patient, experienced, and skilled teacher.
Come Create With Us
See What You’ll Make In a Beginner’s Class
Glass Beads
Created by
Emma B.
Making glass beads is an ancient art form. Start your journey to an infinite variety of styles, shapes, and designs.
In this class, you’ll learn to wrap molten glass around a steel rod to form a bead. You’ll explore two beginner-friendly designs: adding tiny dots with colored glass chips and using gravity to create swirls of color. Through this experience, you’ll learn foundational skills you can build on in the future.
Blown Ornaments
A photo-worthy experience in which you fill a sealed glass tube with chips of colored glass. Then with close supervision and coaching, you heat the tube and use your breath to inflate it into a unique ornament. This class requires split-second timing and is not as forgiving as the Icicles or Pendants classes. It’s lots of fun, but due to its challenges, occasionally an ornament will not survive. Each participant generally makes 2 ornaments.
Houseplant Watering Globes
Houseplant Watering Globes
Blowing air into glass is exciting! This class uses the same processes and has the same challenges as the ornaments class. The only difference is how Vicki finishes the piece for you. She will leave the blow tube attached so you can fill the globe with water and insert the tube into your small houseplant. Each participant usually makes two watering globes.
Blowing air into glass is exciting! This class uses the same techniques and challenges as the Ornament Class. Vicki leaves the blow tube attached so the piece can be filled with water and used as a watering globe for a small houseplant. Most participants make two watering globes.
Icicles and Suncatchers
Learn the magical properties of glass as you heat, stretch, flatten, and twist molten glass. Participants will learn essential techniques that can be built upon in future classes. Typically each student makes one clear “winter” icicle and one colored “twisted” icicle.
Pendants
Make your own piece of wearable art in this fascinating class. You will learn to heat, flatten, stretch, twist, and even cut into molten glass. This is an excellent introduction for those individuals who might want to continue their glass journey. If you take the class with another person, you will both select one pendant style from among 30 designs. Using your own colors, you will be guided to create a pendant like no other. Each participant generally makes one pendant.
ⓘ Your colors, number of completed pieces, and final designs will depend on your own choices and creativity
Skills You’ll Learn
Beads by
Robin K.
Working with Glass at the Torch
Whichever beginner’s class you select, you’ll be introduced to the fundamentals of lampworking — the art of manipulating molten glass in the flame of a stationary torch.
You’ll learn fundamental techniques like stretching, shaping, and joining glass pieces together with heat.
Step by step, you’ll gain confidence working at the torch, transforming raw materials into expressive and decorative forms.
Use of Essential Tools
You’ll be guided in the proper use of essential tools, from tweezers and graphite paddles to specialized shaping instruments.
You’ll also learn how a kiln is used to remove thermal stress from your pieces, ensuring that your finished work is both durable and beautiful. Understanding annealing and stress-relief is an important part of glasswork, and you’ll see how this process protects your creations from cracking over time.
Building Skills and Creating Art
By the end of your class, you’ll not only have created your own one-of-a-kind glass objects but also built a foundation of technical knowledge you can apply to future projects.
Whether your goal is to make jewelry, beads, small sculptures, or simply explore a new artistic medium, you’ll leave with the skills and confidence to continue working in this amazing medium.
Book a Beginner Class
Prescheduled class times are shown below in blue (for 1-person) and green (for 2-people).
Click one to book your session. If you want a date or time that’s not listed, please contact Vicki.
Beginning Students at Work
FAQs
About Classes
Everything you need to know before booking your class
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The fee for a beginner’s class is $80 per person.
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Everything you’ll need! All glass, tools, safety goggles, and kiln time to properly finish your pieces are included.
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Classes are offered seven days a week by appointment, usually during the day. Pick a time that’s mutually convenient for you and Vicki.
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1 person: about 1.5 hours of instruction
2 people: about 2 hours of instruction
3 people: about 2.5 hours of instruction
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There’s not enough time to teach each beginning student a different project in an introductory class. Vicki prides herself in providing close personal attention and instruction to ensure each student’s safety and success. If you enjoy your experience, you’re welcome to sign up for another beginner class to build your skills and confidence or sign up for private coaching to pursue specific projects or skills.
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Our private and semi-private lessons are open to beginners and experienced students alike, starting at age 10. Classes are small — just 1–3 people — so you’ll get plenty of individual attention.
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Young students (ages 10–17) are welcome to join, but they’ll need to be accompanied by a responsible adult. Adults are not required to take the class, but it’s a great way to learn and create together.
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Absolutely! If you’d like a different date than those listed in our class calendar or want to bring three people to a class, just reach out and we’ll do our best to make it happen.
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If no confirmation arrives, it means your booking didn’t go through. Just give Vicki a call at 716-481-5664 and she will be happy to help sort it out.
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If you need to cancel or reschedule your class, you need to provide at least 24-hour’s notice or you will forfeit your fee. If you are ill or another emergency arises, the cancellation fee may be waived at Vicki’s discretion.
In the rare instances that Vicki needs to cancel your class due to a weather or personal emergency, she will notify you as soon as possible. You will have the option to reschedule the class or receive a full refund.
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As a courtesy, Vicki puts all student work through an overnight (annealing) kiln cycle. This makes the work more durable by removing the stress that builds up inside the glass during the creation process. As a result, pieces are not available for pickup or shipment for at least 24 hours following your class.
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You can pick up your pieces at the studio, or if that’s not convenient, we can ship them to you for a $10 flat fee (to one address).
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There is no simple answer to this question. It depends on the individual student, what you hope to achieve, and how you define “good.”
Most students can learn the basics of simple projects in a single class. However, mastering those skills and developing your own artistic style can take considerably longer. More advanced projects, such as sculptures and marbles, typically require several classes just to learn the fundamentals.
Vicki has been flameworking for more than 20 years, and she still learns something new every time she sits down at the torch.
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Yes. If you’re a self-sufficient flameworker who can work safely at a torch without direct supervision, you are welcome to rent studio time by appointment. More About Studio Rental
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Vicki is always at the studio whenever students or renters are there. If you have a quick question, she’s happy to help. If your quick question expands into a demonstration or lengthy explanation, it’s probably best to move into a private coaching session to focus on your needs. Scroll above for additional information about coaching.
What Students Are Saying
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Zoë C.
“Flameworking allows me to be creative and to challenge myself, and I love how much freedom there is with glass. Making glass art brings a smile to my face and giving my artwork as gifts allows me to share that smile with others.”
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Jeannie K. for her son Jack
“My 11-year-old son loves the hands-on lessons at Expressive Glass. He’s gained a real appreciation for the art and science of glasswork, thanks to Ms. Vicki’s supportive and knowledgeable teaching. Highly recommended!”
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Emma B.
“Vicki is the kindest, most patient teacher. She makes glass approachable and always has ideas how I can improve!”
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Eva Marie F.
“Vicki is a great teacher! I have learned so much, not just from classes, but from having affordable studio time to practice, plus tips from Vicki while I’m working!”
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Gaye M.
“Working with glass is amazing, watching the glass take shape and making your own designs. Vicki is a great teacher, very patient. Vicki makes sure you understand the steps before moving on. I highly recommend trying glass work.”
A Thoughtful Gift
Give a memorable experience working with hot glass.
Our most popular gift certificate is for a hands-on class at the Expressive Glass studio, where students learn the basics of lampworking and make their own colorful glass treasures.
Contact us