Glass Academy

The Glass Academy and Furnace Design Studio is one of my favorite destinations to bring out-​of-​town visitors. I now have a collection of glass items made by this studio. I collect their glass eggs and their pumpkins. So beautiful!

Awesome experience! The Hot Glass, Cold Beer event was fun and exciting. Glass blowing demonstrations we cool to see and the local microbrew tastings complimented the event quite well. I would definitely go again.
PS — this takes place in a factory where they blow glass — it’s naturally going to be hot. Dress accordingly with short sleeves.

We went here due to a groupon for a reed that you stick in the garden. The staff was helpful and helped each one of us during every step.
It was a great experience and I would def do it again! Who doesn’t want to make something cool and say they got to blow glass? Plus you get a one time coupon to get 10% off your purchase in the gallery so we got some grab bag items at a discount. They both did not disappoint.

Michelle and Chris made beautiful glass pieces for our home we are still thrilled with them after many years their studio is beautiful we found them very easy to work with and they have
super imagination and foresight

The instructors were great, but I was unimpressed with the other staff. We were three minutes late due to Telegraph and Square Lake Road traffic. When we came in, they didn’t believe we were registered despite me repeatedly explaining that I had registered by phone five days before.
They’d overbooked the class because they didn’t know we were coming (normally take 4 students only and we made six). While I was showing them my e-​mailed receipt, they conducted the tour without us. Then, while we were waiting on nametags (they insist), they STARTED THE CLASS without us. Luckily, one of the girls in the class said «hey they’re in here too». I get that we were late (by THREE minutes), but I apologized profusely and explained that the 1 hour twenty minute drive had taken 1 hour and forty minutes instead.
The class was a neat hands on experience and fun, but this was certainly not the upbeat friendly experience I was hoping for when I purchased the classes as part of my daughter’s 16^th birthday present.

Stopped in for this weekend’s Pumpkin Glass Project… very cool! You could have your pumpkin & or gourd’s custom made in any color or texture you desire. Crafter’s are on hand shaping and blowing glass into those custom pieces. Or you can find some treasure’s that had been blown prior to the event. I know that your all wondering if I went pumpkin or gourd? Come on what’s your guess? Extra points if you can guess the color!

Just returned home from our second visit to the Glass Academy. This weekend is a Easter Eggstravaganza. Lots of glass eggs and glass baskets. Many varieties and sizes. Also hand blown glass chicks. Lots of helpful volunteers. Very affordable creations. First visit was last year for a blown glass pumpkin special. Classes are available. Lots of hands on opportunities like making wine glasses and beer mugs. Many meet and greet events also. Keep an eye on there website.

I made a glass bead! And it’s pretty enough to wear! The Twirl Bead and Bubble class ($ 49.00 on Groupon) is super fun. Both instructors were extremely knowledgeable, fun, and patient.
The gallery itself is full of beautiful objects, from beads, to vases, mugs, and more. It’s well worth a visit and hubby and I will return for the upcoming Pumpkin Fest.

My fiancé and I took the Groupon Paperweight class, We had a great time. The instructor was very patient with us and very helpful. We will take another class in the future. Fun! As for the gallery, a lot of cool items but I wish they would have had more pens and some Christmas Ornaments.
P. S. For Christy R. If you had such a great time why only 3 stars? The businesses and consumers rely on good feedback to get other customers. What’s really weird is it sounds like you either work there or are very involved.

Dress lightly cause this hot glass makes you toasty. I went for the Spring mother’s day sale. It was really cool! Live glass blowing, cool glass beads, jewelry, percola reeds, wine glasses, drinking glasses, beer steins, paperweights, glass hearts… At first I wanted 4 cool drinking glasses that matched, I could find a set that really spoke to me, so i opted to get 4 toally different ones… figured it could be a new cool collection, some fun things to pick up at art shows and future events. And I sweet talked the staff into giving me a discount-​bonus! I am bummed I missed the groupon deal. They have different events like sample sales, percola reeds, glass pumpkins so sign up for thei newsletter.
DYING to go to the coffee nights and the drop in workshop! So if any of you reading this would like to join me, please email me!
Coffee Nights
The 2^nd Wednesday of every month stop in and warm up with us during Coffee Nights from 6 – 9 p.m. This a FREE monthly event where you can meet with friends, watch live glassblowing demonstrations, and hang out with the family. Each month we will feature a fellow artist who will be working on their own personal work and demonstrating new techniques as they practice their craft. Enjoy a cup of coffee and the warm glow of the furnace as you unwind from your day.
Drop-​in Workshop
While you are enjoying Coffee Nights, you can also participate in our drop-​in workshop where you can try your hand at glassblowing your own paperweight or flower for $ 45, or stamp a glass coin for $ 10. These make great treasures you can take home and cherish forever. Pre-​registration is required. You can register on-​line or by calling the studio.
To register for the drop-​in workshop call the studio at 313−561−4527.
Mark Your Calendar
*May 11
*June 8
*July 13
*August 10
*September 14
*October 12
*November 9
*December 14
They are also at the Ren. Fair doing demos.

I took a group of students for an intruduction to the facility and glass blowing. The staff were incredibly helpful and worked extremely well with the kids. Kudos!

I went to the Glass Academy’s Christmas Show yesterday and it was really nice. They had a variety of beautiful baubles, ornaments, glass flower magnets, glass sets, candle holders, vases, bowls, and glass bead jewelry to buy for your loved ones. Everything is handmade. There was also a glass blowing demonstration while we were there which was quite beautiful and impressive. The sale prices on the glass bowls and vases were extraordinary considering the time and work that goes into producing them. Definitely will keep this as one of my gift buying shopping stops!

I came here along with Jessica J. and Chris W. Though the snow was a little freakish (well, I guess not that freakish for Michigan) that day, we had a great time! Just don’t let Chris near any ice sculptures!
It was warm and cozy inside the academy. Of course, part of that warmth could have been the heat radiating from the giant firing ovens they used for glasswork.
We were able to watch a couple of demos, which was really fascinating. It brought back memories of childhood — watching the glass blowers at Greenfield Village. Though for some reason (maybe because they didn’t have to dress in period costume), the guys giving the demo here struck me as more bad-​ass!
The bazaar itself was really fun, and though I know the studio isn’t set up like that on a regular day, you do get the feeling that the academy and people who work there are very community minded. There seem to be some fun opportunities for kids, and there are a plethora of classes overall.
I really want to take a neon (yes, neon!) making class if I can figure out when. Overall, I was very impressed with the friendly and community oriented approach of this studio. I’ll definitely be back, either for a class or for another special event.

I came here for the 2^nd Annual Holiday Bazaar with a couple other Unilocalers. The Glass Academy offers classes in: Stained glass, Neon, Torchwork, Fusing and Glassblowing. We watched a glassblowing demonstration, which was quite impressive. I didn’t know there was so much involved in Glass Blowing and Sculpting and it made me find a new appreciation for the art.
The Bazaar was catered by Westborn Market, so there were alot of yummy eats. Some of the crafts that were displayed were: Stained Glass, Jewelry, Glass Ornaments, and lots of other Arts and Crafts. The building had a small community feeling that gave me the warm and fuzzies.