Glass Pumpkin Workshop

About this experience

Experience the heat, skill and excitement of traditional glassblowing as you get into the spirit of Halloween and create your own multi-coloured crystal pumpkin with one of Cumbria Crystal's skilled glassblowers.

Working closely with your tutor, you'll choose your colours before learning how to shape, blow and manipulate molten crystal at temperatures of around 1,200°C.

You'll even use a traditional optic mould to create your pumpkin's distinctive ridges, before your glassblower adds and twists a coloured glass stem to complete your unique creation.

What happens during the experience?

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

You'll choose from our available colours, which will be melted into the hot glass, before using traditional glassblowing tools and techniques to shape your piece. You'll blow a bubble into the molten glass and use an optic mould to form the characteristic pumpkin shape and ridges.

Once your pumpkin has been shaped and removed from the blowing iron, your tutor will add a coloured glass stem, twisting the hot glass to create its distinctive curly stalk.

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

What should I wear?

For your safety, participants must wear clothing that fully covers their legs and feet. Shorts, short skirts, sandals and stilettos are not permitted.  Breatheable 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.

When can I take my pumpkin home?

Your finished pumpkin cannot be taken home on the day. It must be slowly cooled in our kiln to prevent the glass from cracking and will usually be ready for collection within a few days.

Your pumpkin can then be collected from Cumbria Crystal. If you're unable to collect it, delivery can also be arranged for an additional charge, which is paid for in store on the day of your Experience.

Before you book

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 is 13 due to the close contact with hot glass during this experience.

Please read our Terms and Conditions before booking.

Planning a family celebration, group visit or work away day? Please contact shop@cumbriacrystal.com to discuss larger group bookings.