Paperweight Experiences

About this experience

The creative possibilities of glass are endless. These paperweight crafting workshops offer the possibility to explore the application of coloured frits, glass powder enamels, the inclusion of an decorative air-bubble and different ways to form the glass using glass makers' tweezers. 

Participants can make the choice at the beginning of the session as to which of the two designs they would like to try. The choices are: 

1) a rounded paperweight, with an enamel glass heart shape fused into it, or 

2) A heart shaped paperweight with coloured frit inclusions.

Experience first-hand and close up, the extreme temperatures required to transform sand into glass and learn about some of the 2000 year old skills developed by the ancient Romans. During this experience, you will work one-to-one with one of our highly skilled glassblowers who will tutor and support you through each step of the creation of your own multi-coloured heart paperweight. This is a truly unique and educational experience during which you will manipulate liquid glass at temperatures of up to 1200 centigrade.

What happens during the experience?

Your instructor will initially demonstrate the processes involved. You will select a range of coloured glass granules to add to the molten glass and then heat and shape the glass into an oval or round solid glass paperweight using wet newspaper pad or wooden blocks. You will be shown how to use a variety of glass-makers tools to create unique patterns in the colour. If you wish to include decorative air bubbles you will be shown the secret to achieving this. Metal jacks are then used to finish the shape and prepare the glass for removal from the iron.

Can I take my creations home straight away?

Your crystal heart paperweight must cool slowly otherwise it will crack! As it is solid, this will take a few days. Once at room temperature we will grind the base flat for you to ensure it sits nicely on a table.

If you are unable to pop back to the factory to collect it within the week, we can organise for it to be posted to any address in the UK.

To ensure a safe working environment a maximum of three participants per hour can participate in this experience. In total a maximum of four non-participating friends or family may watch. When not actively blowing you will be asked to remain seated for your safety. Each individual hands-on experience will last around 20 minutes.

Participants must wear clothing that covers their legs and feet. Shorts, short skirts, sandals, stilettos etc. are not safe. Only one person will blow glass at a time. Your safety is our paramount concern so you will enjoy extremely close supervision & tuition. The minimum age for this experience is 13 years. 

Terms and Conditions Please note, discount codes cannot be used when purchasing glass blowing experiences.

Do you want to book for a larger group, maybe a family birthday or a work away day? Feel free to email us shop@cumbriacrystal.com to arrange.

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