Glassblowing Taster

Make your own glass bird



75 mins

Class size 1 to 4 (public classes), 4 to 6
  $145 (PayPal Pay in 4 available)

Our long awaited for Bird Workshop is back!
Looking to explore a new and exciting hobby? Join our unique glassblowing class in Melbourne to learn how to create your very own glass art from scratch. In this beginner-friendly workshop, you'll receive step-by-step guidance in making a paperweight or bird to take home and cherish.
Don't worry if you're new to glassblowing this workshop starts with a safety briefing and an introduction to the 'Hot Shop' floor to ensure you feel comfortable and ready to dive into the creative process. You'll be using specialised tools under the expert guidance of a friendly glassblower, making the experience both educational and enjoyable.

Please note: Public dates for this class require at least 3 guests to run. In the unlikely event that we don't reach this number, we may cancel the session; if that happens, we'll inform you and let you choose between a refund or reschedule, so please watch your email/SMS one day prior to the class.
What you'll get
  • Guidance from an expert.
  • All materials provided.
  • Your own bird of paradise or decorative paperweight
Read more details   
Knowledge required
This is a beginner-friendly class.
What to bring
  • Closed toe shoes must be worn.
  • A loose cotton shirt and long pants are advised.
  • A water bottle and snacks if desired but water will be provided.
Add-on available for this class
  • Spectator ($20)
You can add this when you book (optional).
Suitable for

Suitable for adults, and kids (minimum 10 years old).

An adult must accompany any attending kids, and must pay for a separate ticket.

Location

Ruth Allen - 10 Hossack Ave, Coburg North VIC

Free on-street (2-hour) parking is available. The nearest train station is Batman, a short 10 min walk away.

Glassblowing Taster location
Verified reviews

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Your teacher
Nick Doran Adams

Nick Doran Adams

5.0 (94)

Born and raised in Ballarat, Victoria, Nick Adams was surrounded by history and grew up visiting one of the best collections of Australian Art at the Art Gallery of Ballarat.

Coming from a family of artists; Adams was encouraged from a young age to practice a wide range of artistic mediums and go to galleries and exhibitions of amazing collections.
While attending Ballarat Grammar School, Adams began to experiment with many different mediums; only after being introduced to glass by his ceramics teacher did he truly begin to play and experiment with the material. While still in school, he attended several short courses offered by Monash University; this being his first experiences with molten glass.
Adams then went to Australian Nation University where he studied in the Glass Workshop. After being shown many techniques; including how to make murrine, Adams saw the pixelated qualities they offered and the wide range of images that he could create using the process. His first murrine was a “Pokéball” as part of the class and then he continued to make murrine with varying levels of success, all revolving around the theme of pixilation and video games.
Working at the Canberra Glassworks as an assistant and technician, Adams continued his obsession with murrine and blown glass.
A couple years ago Nick came back home to Victoria, and brings his muscle and teaching expertise to our Hotshop.




Your host

r.a.g.e.
r.a.g.e.

5.0 (535)
female Women-owned

Located in Coburg North, Melbourne, r.a.g.e is Victoria’s premier studio for contemporary glass art and craftsmanship. Founded and directed by Ruth Allen, an acclaimed glass artist with over 35 years of experience, r.a.g.e represents the highest standard of glass education, artistry, and innovation in Australia.
Our workshops are designed for those seeking an authentic, hands-on experience in hot glass — where participants work directly with molten material under the expert guidance of our highly skilled team. Led by Ruth and her five master glassblowers, every session delivers a rare opportunity to learn in a professional studio environment grounded in technical precision, artistic integrity, and creative exploration.
At r.a.g.e, education is at the core of everything we do. In an era when university glass programs are closing and arts funding continues to decline, we are proudly expanding. Through our comprehensive traineeship program and diverse public workshops, we’re ensuring that the ancient craft of hot glassmaking is passed on to the next generation — the way it’s meant to be: through touch, repetition, and mentorship.
r.a.g.e is currently developing The Glass Epicentre — Victoria’s first purpose-built, independent community glass facility. This state-of-the-art space will feature advanced hot glass infrastructure, a professional gallery, and expanded educational programs for artists of all levels. It will serve as a hub for innovation and collaboration across art, design, architecture, and craft — a place where technical mastery meets creative experimentation.
Beyond teaching, r.a.g.e collaborates with leading architects, designers, and contemporary artists to realise ambitious projects that push the physical and conceptual limits of glass. Our studio thrives on curiosity, collaboration, and courage — values that have kept Ruth’s practice at the forefront of Australian glass for more than three decades.
As a certified Social Enterprise, r.a.g.e reinvests the majority of its profits into community building, sustainability, and cultural infrastructure — ensuring that every workshop, every project, and every flame contributes to a larger vision: the continued vitality of glass art in Australia.
Join us in the studio and experience the heat, skill, and wonder of hot glass with the team at r.a.g.e — The Glass Epicentre of Victoria.
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