Making Handmade Art Glass, Boise Idaho

On a recent trip to Boise, Idaho we didn’t want to do some of the touristy things we had done on previous trips to the area, like their state capitol. We wanted to do something unique and different on this trip. I did some research and found Boise Art Glass. It was definitely something I had wanted to do for a long time but wasn’t sure if Gene would be too interested. I was happily surprised when he seemed just as interested as me!

Eagerly I jumped online and looked at some of their classes to decide which would be available during our visit and which seemed the most intriguing. Before I jump into the classes, I wanted to share a little bit about the company, its products, and the studio.

They were established in 2004 with the goal of sharing their love for glass art with the community while creating positive memorable experiences. I have to say, we definitely had a memorial experience.

Classes Offered

I wanted one of everything, lol. However, I figured there were probably on certain ones we could make depending on the type of class we were going to take. I did some research and found they offer the following classes.

Furnace and Hotshop

1 Hour Glassblowing. This introductory level class will allow you and a friend to each choose a unique item to make and take home. Receive one-on-one instruction!

2 Hour Hotshop. In this workshop, you will work one-on-one with an Instructor! Four items can be made during this course and students will have 8 different options to choose from. Satisfy your curiosity and learn a new skill!

Beginner Hotshop - This 12 hours class gives you the opportunity to learn the basics! Fundamentals include the different use of tools, color application, and the step-by-step process of creating blown glass art. You will finish the class with a general understanding of how the hot shop glassblowing works. Leave with a new skill and your own beautiful creations!

Torch and Flameworking

Torch Group - This 2-hour introductory level class will allow you the opportunity to experiment hands-on. You will make beautiful glass items such as pendants, rings, earrings, keyrings, magnets, and more!

Flameworking - This 2-hour private class will expose you to the basics of flameworking. With attentive guidance from an instructor, you will make pendants, raindrops, icicles, and more with borosilicate glass!

Introduction to flameworking - This 12-hour course will cover shop safety, torch, and shop set-up. You will learn flame adjustment, heat transfer, and simple welds with rod and color! Working directly over a torch, work with borosilicate glass to make pendants, suncatchers, marbles, and more. Leave with knowledge of the fundamentals required to advance your skills!

First Thursdays Make Your Own

First Thursday takes place from 5 – 9 pm on the First Thursday of each month! The event focuses on providing visitors the chance to stroll through their unique studio and gallery while giving them the opportunity to create their own unique glass

Each month Boise Art Glass offers something different to make whether it be an oil candle or hummingbird feeder in a hot shop class, or a straw or wine stopper in our torch class! These items are not offered in regular classes. Book online or call the gallery at (208) 345 – 1825 to schedule your appointment today!

To book the class you want, go to their website and pick the class and time you want, and pay all in one click. We decided to do the 1-hour hot shop glass blowing class.

Products

The different types of products made at Boise Art Glass blew me away. Here are just a few of the items they make and sell. Check out their website for pictures and more descriptions.

Functional Glass

In this section you will find wavy bowls, wavy vase, pens, and pen holders, perfume bottles, olive oil dispenser, sun catchers, tumblers, shot glasses, lotion/soap dispensers, glass straws, wine stoppers, cardholders, paperweights (many different varieties, globes, terrariums, and steins.

Sculptural Glass

Here you will find things like seashells, hanging jellyfish, octopus, blue whales, turtles, frogs, lizards, penguins, roses, vortex marble, galaxy marble, and cosmic marble.

Seasonal Products

Looking for something for Halloween or Christmas? They have you covered there too. You will be able to find all types of different pumpkins from minis to fancy, as well as little and big ghosts. They also have many types of Christmas ornaments. Here are a few of them: candy cane, blue Christmas, green Christmas, an aurora borealis, as well as a winter mix ornament. These are just a few. Again, check out their website for more info and pictures.

Jewelry Products

They ever sell a few jewelry pendants. I love the Starry Night one, but they also have vortex, cherry blossom, and sea urchin pendants.

Memorial Ash Art

The last type of product I wanted to share was a different type of product they make that can include a little bit of ash from a loved one or pet. I thought that was such a wonderful idea. I may have to do that one day. Anyway, here are some of the products that can include ash: Circle of Life, heart pendant, rose, angel drop, flower pendant, fruit pendant, night swirl pendant, heart shaped pendant, and around paperweight.

When we arrived our instructor Court was ready and waiting to help us make a wonderful keepsake and memory. He walked us around the shop for a second and let us pick out the items we wanted to make as well as the colors. I thought that would be easier than it was, lol. There were a lot of colors and they could be mixed, so it was crazy (in a good way I finally picked my color, fruit salad, and Gene said he would do the same so they would match. We were doing a vase and a wavy bowl for our kitchen.

Gene let me go first and I admit I was a little nervous at first cause I had never done anything like that before. However, Court was so patient and told me everything we were doing, and everything that we were going to do next. Made it so easy and each step was so exciting. I think the most fun was actually blowing on the pipe and watching it expand. So cool. We asked a bunch of questions and he was always willing to answer them and explain the process as we went along. Before I knew it, my piece was done and in the kiln (see I learned a few things already, lol.

We had the most amazing time making these wonderful pieces of art (with Court's help of course) and learning more about the process. I really enjoyed the class and would love to do another class the next time we are in the area. Maybe I will take a torch class, or make a butterfly (if they can do that, which I am pretty sure they can). If you are in the area or going to be in the area, make sure to check them out. Again, here is their website. If you have been, please leave a comment about your experience. Thank you in advance. I'd love to hear from you!