Penguin Workshop

Get creative this winter as you make your own crystal Penguin Ornament with one of Cumbria Crystal's skilled glassblowers - for a limited time only.

 

Working closely with your tutor, you'll choose the colours for your penguin before learning how to shape and manipulate molten crystal at temperatures of around 1,200°C. Using techniques similar to our popular Paperweight Experience, you'll transform a solid gather of crystal into your own characterful penguin.

 

Available for a limited time only, each penguin is individually made by you, so no two will be exactly alike.

 

 

Your glassblower will first demonstrate the process before guiding you through making your own penguin.

 

You'll choose from our available colours for the body of your penguin, before adding the distinctive white glass front. The colours will be applied to the molten crystal before you use traditional glassmaking tools and techniques to shape the solid glass into its penguin form.

 

Your tutor will work alongside you throughout, helping you control and shape the molten glass to give your penguin its own individual character.

 

Each participant receives around 20 minutes of hands-on glassmaking time. Only one participant works with the glass at a time, so you'll have the full attention and guidance of your tutor.

For your safety, participants must wear clothing that fully covers their legs and feet. Shorts, short skirts, sandals and stilettos are not permitted.  Breathable fabrics such as cotton is ideal, but clothing such as jeans, trainers, joggers are absolutely fine.  You can wear short sleeved clothing as you will be given a heat protective sleeve to wear during your experience.

 

 

Your finished penguin cannot be taken home on the day. As it is made from solid crystal, it must be slowly cooled in our kiln over several days to prevent the glass from cracking.

 

Once cooled, we'll grind and finish the base so your penguin sits safely and securely on a flat surface.

 

Your penguin can then be collected from Cumbria Crystal. If you're unable to collect it, delivery within the UK can also be arranged for an additional charge, which is made instore on the day of your Experience.

 

 

This experience is limited to a maximum of three participants per hour. Up to five friends or family members are welcome to watch and take photographs.

 

The minimum age for this experience is 13.