Hot Shop Valpo glass studio has been creating unique, handcrafted products for over ten years. Located less than five minutes from shopping, dining, and outdoor activities in downtown Valparaiso, they offer glassmaking classes for a variety of skill levels.
What started out as a hobby for the owner and his father has turned into highly skilled craftsmanship and a desire to share that skill with visitors through glassmaking workshops. Classes are usually scheduled in the early morning hours as the studio gets quite hot as the day progresses due to the ovens.
The first thing you will need to do when you arrive at the studio is decide which glass item you’d like to make. Options typically include a paperweight, long stem flower, or a seasonal item such as a pumpkin. You’ll then head to the color room to choose which colors you’d like to work with. The shelves are full of dozens of containers with vibrant shades of tiny glass pebbles. Certain colors work better for different projects, and the staff will be there to help guide you as you make your selection.
In the workshop area, you’ll be given a quick overview of the glassmaking process and equipment so you’ll know what to expect for each step. Pay attention… you may be using tools such as Diamond Shears, giant tweezers, or the Jax Blade!
You’ll then work side-by-side with a glass artist to craft your work of art. The ovens, which remain on almost all of the time, will be heated to about 2,175 degrees. Their heat is intense and you will definitely be sweating as you use a long metal rod to retrieve clear molten glass from the ceramic pot inside.
The hot molten glass is then worked on a special table called a marver, where it is rolled and cooled slightly as color is added. The marvering process is repeated a few times, and then it’s over to the bench to shape and finish your item.
Once your glass piece is finished, it must slowly cool in a special unit called an annealer. The cooling process takes approximately 18 hours, and you’ll need to make arrangements to pick up your item the following day.
Our family found the glass workshop to be very engaging and a great fit for teens. We were especially fascinated by the Prince Rupert’s Drop, a glass teardrop which is made by dropping molten glass directly into cold water. The teardrop-shaped glass can withstand incredible amounts of pressure, however, will shatter when the attached “tail” section is cut. Highly recommend learning about the Prince Rupert’s Drop before your visit to Hot Shop Valpo!
Know Before You Go: If you are visiting the Indiana Dunes Region, be sure to leave plenty of time to return to Hot Shop Valpo the following day to pick up your finished product. Wear closed-toed shoes and dress comfortably in cool clothing. There will be soot, so wear clothes you’re ok with possibly getting a little dirty. If you have long hair, make sure it is secured away from your face. Hot Shop Valpo has worked with children as young as six years of age, and they have experience working with guests who have autism. The studio offers many pieces of custom glass for purchase, including vases, apples, jellyfish, drinkware, seasonal items, and yard art.
