You do craft @ Canberra Glassworks
I am a big fan of destination crafting. If I can go on a holiday and make something rather than buy a souvenir I will ALWAYS choose to craft (price pending).
Way back in April I took a spur of the moment road trip to Canberra - destination: exciting. The kind where you drive up Friday and drive back Monday. It was, to all intents and purposes, a trip to catch up with an old friend, see the Cartier exhibition, and drive another old friend back to Melbourne. Other things that happened were a/ I bought a house and b/ I made my very own handmade glass paperweight - and I was equally nervous about both those activities.
My first ever visit to the Canberra Glassworks was high on my list of things to do in my brief two day sojourn. The urgency of the visit to the Glassworks increased when I discovered that I could have a one-on-one 'make your own' lesson to craft my very own custom glass paperweight. I was promptly booked in for Sunday morning.
Upon arrival the welcoming staff at reception confirmed my booking, asked me to sign a waiver (totally necessary given what I was about to do) and arranged the postage of my future craft. Before my lesson I had time to take a look around the exhibition and the shop and watched some of the more advanced sessions that were happening in the 'hot shop'. When my time arrived I moved to take my position at the safety barrier. I was greeted by Dan Venables. Dan is a real life glass artist. Dan has the patience of a saint. Dan helps novices like me work with molten glass.
First thing first - safety. Safety is something they take serious in the hot shop. I was guided through the 'right of way' rules for walking through the hot shop (essentially the person with the biggest and hottest piece of glass gets priority.) I was kindly interrogated about the fabric of my clothing and took the opportunity to remove my beloved sweater least it melts and fuses to my skin. The Glassworks provide lots of info on their website to ensure you arrive dressed in appropriate clothing for your lesson. Do not ignore their advice! I was then kitted up with some super heavy PPE including oversized gloves and an apron. As Dan adjusted my apron I made some awkward lols. Like I said, patience of a saint.
Early in the lesson I was confronted with the decisions of what style of paper weight and also what colours! Dan was wise to not indulge my over-thinking of colour and design. I opted for purple and pink. Then it was time to get cracking.
I proceeded to learn about the furnace (which holds the molten glass and is like looking into the white hot heat of hell); the glory hole (not what you might think - it reheats the glass) and the annealer (which slowly cools the glass).
He may have noticed that he had an extremely nervous customer on his hands, mostly evident through my constant giggling and cautious crossed arms pose. As I mentioned I was very nervous and unsure of what I was doing - which is surely a dangerous situation - but Dan had just the right level of encouragement and was able to co-handle the tools when I was clearly unsure.
I cannot say that I was a natural glass genius. My 20 minutes was terrifying and delightful. I relished the opportunity to see the process and the tools up close and ask lots of questions. The lesson ended when my paperweight was placed in the glass annealer for cooling. I would get to see it again when it arrived on my doorstep in a week or so.
Would I do this again? Hell, yes.
Do I suggest you do this? Hellllllll, yes.
The cost could be prohibitive for some at $85 for the 20 minute lesson. When I weighed up the cost of materials, one-on-one time with an artist, use of equipment (which is normally hired by artists), public liability insurance and payment of staff - I actually thought the $85 wasn't too outrageous.
The Glassworks is located in the Kingston Powerhouse constructed in 1913, and is Canberra's oldest public building. The Glassworks is also the largest dedicated glass studio facility in Australia. I mean, making your own glass, in an historic building in the Nation's capital! #goals
If, for some strange reason, working with molten glass ain't your thing, then I highly recommend purchasing something from the Geo series cause it is FINE! A free activity is just to sit back and let the puns wash over you. Want more interactivity - make up your own puns. Fun for the family.
I noted that before I had left the Glassworks a young girl had commenced her lesson and was about 1000 times more confident than I was. Oh to be young. I'm going to have to go back and make a vessel now.
Ole ole - ole ole feelin' hot hot hot.
Aye, it is true she is a pointy paperweight - but she is my pointy paperweight. Lest thee judge.