Introduction To Borosilicate Glass Flamework
Beginner Class
w/ Lindsay LeBlanc @LooLooGlass
March 15th & 16th 2025
(10am to 4pm)
€250
(includes all materials)
If you require accommodation, please contact us
Class Description
Join us for a hands-on, two-day workshop designed for beginners eager to learn the fundamentals of flameworking with borosilicate glass. This immersive "flameshop intensive" covers essential techniques for working with this unique, durable glass. You'll learn how to balance between heat and hand control, explore various methods for creating both delicate and robust glass art, and gain confidence with essential tools and torch flame chemistry.
Each day combines technical demonstrations, hands-on practice, and personalised guidance, offering a complete introduction to the art of shaping borosilicate glass. By the end of the workshop, you'll have created your own glass pieces and gained a solid foundation in this exciting craft.
Class Structure
You'll learn how to manipulate molten glass using heat, gravity, and traditional tools, with a focus on beginner-friendly techniques like colour application, shaping, welds, loops [for jewellery applications, and hot sculpting techniques!
Day 1:
Introduction to tools, equipment, and flame chemistry
Hands-on practice melting, shaping, and connecting glass rods
Individual instruction to refine your technique
Day 2:
Learn color application using glass rods and frit
Assemble glass components
Open studio time for guided practice and experimentation
What is Borosilicate Glass?
Borosilicate glass, developed by German glassmaker Otto Schott between 1887 and 1893, was originally designed for scientific and medical use due to its durability, shock resistance, and ability to withstand high temperatures.
Melting Point:
With a melting point of 1252°C, borosilicate has a low coefficient of thermal expansion (COE) of 33, which means it cools and stabilizes slowly, allowing intricate details to form without cracking.
Lindsay LeBlanc
Lindsay is a multidisciplinary artist, educator, and EcoGothic researcher with over 15 years of experience in glassmaking. Based in The Burren, Ireland, she blends her expertise in glass, sculpture, and environmental inquiry to explore themes of nature, human impact, and resilience in the face of industrial development. Her practice focuses on creating immersive works that challenge traditional views of nature, often highlighting the fragility and strength of botanical life through glass.
She serves as Mulranny Arts Glass Department program coordinator and operates her own glass brand, LooLooGlass, from her studio in The Burren.
Lindsay is currently in collaboration with Glas restaurant at Hotel Doolin in Co. Clare to merge craft and cuisine, incorporating glass art into the restaurant’s 30-mile menu concept, which emphasizes locally sourced food and craft.
LeBlanc holds an MFA in Art & Ecology from Burren College of Art and a BFA in Sculpture/Glass from Massachusetts College of Art and Design. Her work has garnered international recognition, including the 2024 Jutta Cuny-Franz Talent Prize and the Sculpture in Context Goodbody Award. She exhibits globally, driven by a deep passion for community engagement, sustainability, and merging her glass art with ecological research and education.