Beginner Glassblowing Workshops with Keith Dougall

>>>  Our glass furnace is currently on and we are taking booking for classes during 2023, subject to availability.  Feel free to use the booking form below to express interest (payment is not required when booking) or email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. >>>

Please CLICK HERE TO BOOK a workshop for you or a friend:

All workshops are private (only yourself or members of your group will be present with the instructor) and booked 'on demand', subject to availability.  Please use the link above to express interest, indicating your preferred dates or general timeframe and we'll get back to you to confirm availability. Alternatively you can request our next available dates. You can also request a gift certificate when booking. If you wish to book now and pay later, once arrangements are confirmed, select the 'Pay using bank deposit details' option when booking. 

Workshops are usually Half Day for 1 or 2 people (private workshop).  Full Day workshops for 2-4 people may be available on request.    Paperweight or tumbler workshops for up to 4 people (half day) or 8 people (full day) are also available and can be a good option for family or other groups who wish to have a smaller taste of working with hot glass.  We will try to accommodate your needs so please enquire if you have any questions or special requests by emailing This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.  or calling 0402 314 816.

The booking form will ask you for you first and second choices for preferred workshop date.  Workshops are generally available on weekdays or Saturdays*.  Full weekends are also possible. Please book with your preferred dates and we'll be in touch to confirm or arrange alternative dates.

*Subject to availability and only available during furnace 'on' periods.  See "Studio 'On' Periods" below or enquire for more details.

Workshops and Costs

Private Beginner Glassblowing Workshops (Standard Workshop): 

• Half Day solo workshop cost is $675 for one person (or $625 for low income or student concession - includes 2 paperweights and 2 blown tumblers). 
• Half day workshop for 2 people is $770 ($385 per person - includes 1 paperweight and 1 blown tumbler per person). 
• Full day workshop for 2 people is $1350 ($675 per person - includes 2 paperweights and 2 blown tumblers per person). 
• Full day workshop for 3 or 4 people is $1450 (approx. $483 or $362 per person - includes 1 paperweight and 1 blown tumbler per person).

Private Paperweight Making Workshops: 

• Half Day for 1-4 people is $675 (time for 4 paperweights in total).
• Full Day for 4-8 people is $1350 (time for 8 paperweights in total).

Private Blown Tumbler Making Workshops: 

• Half Day for 1-4 people is $675 (time for 4 tumblers in total). 
• Full Day for 4-8 people is $1350 (time for 8 tumblers in total).

Note:  All prices are per workshop, including GST and it is up to the person booking the workshop to pay the total cost when booking and to manage their private group. Deposits/fees will be fully refunded if classes are cancelled by the studio for any reason.  If you need to cancel or re-schedule, 48hrs notice is required otherwise fees may apply.

Standard Workshop Description

Ever wondered what it would be like to shape and blow molten glass?  Well, here's your chance!

In this exciting introductory hands-on workshop you'll gather molten glass from the furnace on a steel blow-pipe and learn to control and shape the glass using traditional techniques and tools to create simple solid and blown (hollow) forms such as paperweights and simple drinking vessels or bowls.  You can bring your own creative flair to the design of your glass by incorporating colours and patterns of your own choice, working on simple yet effective designs with the help of a skilled glassmaker.  

The first part of each workshop is spent orientating to the studio and its equipment before starting to work with the molten glass to create some awesome coloured paperweights. After having got a handle on gathering and tooling the glass you’ll soon move on to learning how to blow a bubble into the glass and discover how to form your glass bubbles into small tumblers or other free-form vessels.  Once again you'll be able to add colour to your pieces and, whilst your hot glass creations will be a little funky to start with, you'll be amazed at the progress you'll make over the period of the workshop. All the glass you make will be yours to take home and show off to your friends and family - exciting mementos of a fascinating experience. 

Working with hot glass is an intensive, fun, and exciting process and learning to assist each other and work safely together as a team is an important part of the experience. You'll be guided each step of the way by an experienced glass artist who can can also step in to help you with some of the more difficult parts of the process as your skills develop.  It will be up to you as to how much you wish to make use of their help.

Whilst this workshop makes an excellent one-off creative experience, it also forms an excellent introduction and foundation for anyone wishing to explore working with blown or hot-formed glass further.  Blowing glass is an experience many seem to have on their 'bucket list' and our workshops also make excellent unique gifts for that person you know will love it. This workshop would also be suitable for anyone who has some basic experience working with hot glass (or done one of our workshops previously) and who wants to extend or hone their skills.  

All workshops are private workshops and are usually either solo workshops or for private groups of 2-4 people.  Duration is usually half day or full day.  Larger groups and longer durations may be accommodated in some circumstances - please get in touch to discuss your needs. 

We also offer Paperweight Workshops, ideal for small groups and familles with children, for getting a smaller taste of working with molten glass.  Blown Tumbler Workshops are also available and make a great follow-on to paperweight workshops for small groups.  Please enquire for more details on 0402 314 816 or email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.  

Where

Our workshops are held in our new studio at the Alethea Mountain Retreat Arts Centre, Poatina, Tasmania.  Poatina is approximately 45mins drive from Launceston and 2hrs from Hobart (via Bothwell).  For those flying in from interstate, Launceston airport is approx 35mins away and we offer a pick-up/drop-off service if required - see 'Interstate Participants' below for more details.

Collection of Glass Work

Please note that the glass pieces you make during your workshop will need to cool down gradually in a kiln overnight to avoid cracking.  You may collect your work the following day or arrange another time to pick it up.  For those not in a position to collect their work, we can post it to you for an extra postage and packaging charge of $50 per half-day workshop duration.

Studio "On" Periods

Whilst most of the Poatina Glass Studio's facilities (such as the kiln-formed glass and cold-working areas) operate all year-round, the glass blowing facilities which utilise the glass melting furnace will only be operational during certain "on-periods" which usually last up to 6 or 8 weeks.  Once the furnace is on, it's on 24/7 until it's turned off.

Call or text Keith on 0402 314 816 or email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.  to find out if the furnace is on currently or when the next on-period might be.

Accommodation

The Poatina Chalet is now offering accomodation only to conferences and groups, however you are welcome to enquire as to what options may be available.  Please contact the Chalet directly on (03) 6397 8290 or by emailing This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.  

Meals

Please bring your own meals or alternatively light lunches are available at The Tiers Tea Lounge from Thursday - Sunday each week.  The Poatina General Store is also open most days.  Best to call ahead to be sure of opening times.  Tea and coffee are provided at the studio for workshop participants.

Registration

Online registration is via the link at the top of this page.  Clicking on this link will take you to our online booking system.  Please join our mailing list (at the bottom of the home page) to receive updates and to be notified of upcoming workshops and events.  We are currently converting to a new system, so we appreciate your patience as we all become accustomed to using it.  

Payment

Payment is encouraged at the time of booking via Paypal or Credit Card.  Please have your card handy when registering.  If you are unable to pay via card, at the completion of the online form you may instead elect to pay via direct bank deposit, using the bank deposit details below.  Please note that places are not confirmed until full payment or at least 50% deposit is received.  Fees and Deposits will be completely refunded if the workshop is cancelled by the studio for any reason.  Fees and deposits paid are not refundable for any other reason.   

• Bank: Westpac 
• Account Name: Poatina Arts
• BSB: 037012
• Account #:  110695
• Description: ‘Surname4Glass’   eg: Smith4Glass

What to Bring

All necessary materials and tools with be provided including safety glasses. Participants will be responsible for their own meals and snacks. Tea and coffee will be provided. Further details of appropriate clothing to wear/bring will be advised upon registration via email.  If you have registered online but have not received an email with 'Important Information for your Beginner Glassblowing Workshop', please get in touch.

Interstate Participants

At just a 1hr flight from Melbourne or less than 2hrs from Sydney, travel from interstate to participate in on of our workshops is becoming more popular - particularly if you'd like to bring a group of friends.  Please contact us if you'd like to arrange a private group beginner's workshop.  The ideal group size is 2 or 4 people.

For those travelling from interstate, the cheapest and fastest way to get here is by air.  The closest airport is Launceston, situated approximately 40mins away, where we offer an airport pickup and drop-off service for those registering.  Using a website like I Want that Flight is a good way to compare airfares from all available airlines and book fares without incurring extra booking fees. Please contact us with your flight details if you require an airport pickup.  Cost is $30 each way per vehicle group.

Arrival Time:  If flying, please aim to arrive at Launceston airport the day before your workshop, or at least by 8am on the day of your workshop.

Departure Time:  If flying, to allow time to travel to the airport and check bags in after the program finishes at 5pm, the ideal would be to choose flights the following afternoon (to allow you to collect your glass) or at least 2hrs after your workshop finishes.  

For those needing to bring a vehicle across, you will need to travel on the Spirit of Tasmania ferry from Melbourne which arrives in Devonport each morning or evening.