- Do I need any experience?
- No. Every class is beginner-friendly, and an instructor works with you one-on-one the whole time.
- What can I make?
- Anything from our primary, plus or premium menus. See the full menu
- What ages can take part?
- Ages 8 and up can blow glass. Some premium pieces and workshops are for ages 12–16 and up.
- What's best for children (ages 8–15)?
- Mini sessions. Each is 30 minutes and makes one piece; you can book more than one. About mini sessions
- What should I wear?
- Cotton clothing, jeans (all year round) and closed-toe shoes. Avoid synthetics like polyester in the hot shop. Bring a drink — the studio can be 10–20 degrees warmer than outside.
- Can friends and family come to watch?
- Yes, and they're welcome to take photos. There's no charge to watch, but everyone fills in a waiver, follows staff safety directions and stays in the viewing area.
- Where do I fill in the waiver?
- Adults sign in person on the day. Anyone under 18 needs a waiver signed by a parent or legal guardian — if they won't be there, email us beforehand and we'll send the waiver to print and sign. Request a waiver
- Can I take my piece home the same day?
- No. Glass needs to cool slowly overnight and be cleaned up, so pieces are ready for pickup one week after your class. Please collect within 7 days of that.
- What's the cancellation policy?
- We need 14 business days' notice, and cancellations are refunded as account credit. Group members who cancel with less than two weeks' notice aren't guaranteed credit, but you can make a piece for anyone who can't come. Rescheduling a whole event is at the owners' discretion.
- Do you offer private lessons?
- Yes, for students who've taken a workshop or the 5-week series and want to practise. They're mostly on weekday mornings and afternoons. Contact us for pricing. Ask about private lessons
- Is there somewhere to eat before a class?
- In warm weather our covered patio and picnic area is yours; in colder months groups can use space in the gallery for a snack.
- Can I blow glass while pregnant?
- Please check with your doctor first.
Studio rules
Glass is worked at over 2,000°F, so these keep everyone safe. Your instructor will walk you through the essentials on the day.
General
- Everyone in the studio, visitors included, signs a general waiver. Under-18s need a parent or guardian's signature.
- The director or hot shop manager decides who can work in, or be in, each area of the studio.
- Guests who aren't in a class stay in the areas staff point out.
- The studio opens to visitors no more than 30 minutes before opening or after closing.
- No smoking anywhere on site. Anyone under the influence of drugs or alcohol will be asked to leave.
What to wear
- Eye protection is required in every area of the studio; shade 2.0 or 2.5 is recommended in the hot shop. Prescription glasses count, ideally with side shields.
- Natural fibers in the hot shop — no polyester or acrylic.
- Closed-toe shoes with backs.
- Tie long hair back.
- Hearing protection is recommended in the cold shop.
Safety and conduct
- Report broken equipment and any accident, however minor, to the studio technician straight away.
- Don't leave valuables unattended; MCSOG isn't responsible for personal items or work left in the building.
- In a fire, leave immediately by the nearest exit.
- Abusive or unsafe behavior ends your session.
- Music is by permission of the studio manager, from the central system only.
Renters and advanced students
- Clean your workspace, equipment and the floor around it within your booked time, then check out with the studio manager or technician.
- Work left on the hot shop shelves for more than 7 days is recycled.
- Nothing on the marvers: no wax, no fluids or drink containers, no wet shaping tools on unprotected tables.
- Powdered glass stays in sealed containers — no open-air sifting.
- Recycle clear glass in the glass-only container. Only MCSOG staff adjust controllers.