Fired Up Friday at Ignite Glass Studio
The other day, I went to an event called Fired Up Friday at Ignite Glass Studio, just a short walk from my neighborhood. It’s a monthly event held on the first Friday, where they open the studio to the public and host live glassblowing demonstrations—with music, drinks, snacks, and artwork made by the studio artists available for purchase.
Honestly, the whole studio felt like one big, glowing portfolio.
Colorful light everywhere, sparkling glass—like a museum that decided to throw a party.
The woman is blowing the glass while the man is shaping it.
The torch is blasting like crazy!
I completely forgot to take photos of the interior (oops), but I did grab some pictures and videos of the demo! I think they were making a flower vase that night. Watching the molten glass—fresh out of the furnace—slowly transform under the hands of the artists, with their practiced movements and smooth team coordination… it felt like witnessing some kind of sacred, glowing ballet.
And while they made it look easy, let me tell you—it is absolutely not easy. I actually tried glassblowing last year, and wow. Even making a simple cylinder or sphere is a race against time, because the glass cools and hardens super quickly. Plus, the heat coming off the glass? Intense. Your arms feel it immediately, and the larger the piece gets, the heavier and harder it is to control.
We’re so used to seeing glass products everywhere, cheap and mass-produced—but glassblowing by hand? That’s a whole different beast. After my own experience, I really get why handmade glass art is so valuable (and pricey!). The skill, the effort, the teamwork—it’s wild.
This event made me want to take another glassblowing workshop someday. I may not master the furnace, but I’ll definitely keep cheering for the glow!