Always wanted to try glass blowing or making your own glass sculpture? Well, with Aurora Borealis Glass, it’s easy to learn in just one day how to make colorful creations such as paper weights, beads and more.
The studio, which is nestled away in a 87111 neighborhood off of Spain, has been featured in the LA Times and has taught more than 3,000 students since 2016. Jeffrey Schmitt, nicknamed Schmitty, said he has been blowing glass for more than 20 years and that his glass studio, or “hot shop,” is the first and only to be fully solar-powered.
“The classes are typically one day long or four hours, so we do it seven days a week. They pretty much call and we look at the calendar, just that simple,” Schmitty said.
Classes range from $125 to $250, depending on the class, which Schmitty said is tailored to the customers who often learn as a group activity with family or friends.
There are two glassblowing instructors. Stained glass and etching classes as well as glass fusing are all offered with ABG.
Schmitty explained since the show on Netflix called Blown Away aired, people are getting more and more interested in glass art and that he gets groups of clients from all over the world with different backgrounds wanting to learn the trade.
He said they have just the regular beginner classes with Paperweight Making 101, to all kinds of different mediums in advanced glass blowing.
Schmitty clarified that although he is retired, he keeps the studio open for his instructors, who are mostly former students, and for people to be able to continue to learn from them. His favorite part about keeping the studio going is finding what he calls the 10-percenters.
“Ninety percent of people are one and done and they cross it off their bucket list. I think the satisfaction is seeing the 10-percenters come back and continue to learn and rent space to create their own foundation and business.”
Age restrictions are 14 years old and older; call 505-256-1675 to set up a time to start learning.
To check out exactly what classes are offered and what could be created, click here.
