2 Day Intro to Borosilicate Glass with Elizabeth Welch

Name: 2 Day Intro to Borosilicate Glass with Elizabeth Welch
Start: 2026-02-07T00:00:00+13:00
End: 2026-02-07T06:30:00+13:00
Location: Amokura Glass (Rotorua, New Zealand)

Schedule

Sat Feb 07 2026 at 12:00 am to 06:30 am

UTC+13:00

Location

Amokura Glass (Rotorua, New Zealand) | Rotorua, BP

BOOK NOW! Via our website here: www.amokuraglass.com/visitingartists
Duration
10am - 4:30pm (6.5 hours) over 2 consecutive days
13 hours total
Requirements
Must be 14+ years old.
Ages 14 & 15 must be accompanied by an adult
About the workshop
This two day workshop is designed for beginners eager to explore the fundamentals of flamework sculpture using borosilicate glass. Under the guidance of Elizabeth Welch, you will learn essential techniques for working with this unique hard glass. You will learn heat and hand control, flame chemistry and mastering the use of both bench mounted and hand torches and essential tools used in flameworking. By the end of the two day workshop you will have the confidence to create your own small glass sculptures.
Day 1- Working with Clear Glass (6mm & 10mm rods)
Techniques covered:
Understanding how to flame affects glass movement
Creating simple sculptural forms
Flame cutting and rejoining for clean, sealed connections
Building avolios and shaping textured forms
Forming balls, rods, and sculptural elements
Applying techniques to create a glass scribe/pen or handing ornament (icicle)
If time allows you will begin branch and tree building techniques to continue into Day 2
Day 2
Techniques covered:
Bridging techniques for structural forms
Creating leaves and flowers
Pulling down from 6mm to 1mm stringers for fine detail work
Creating small decorative pieces such as small chains
Elizabeth will demonstrate making a small bird sculpture using chinese colour and hand torch attachment to a glass tree (dependant on time)
By the end of the 2 day workshop you will have hands-on experience with borosilicate glass, and new handmade pieces to take home.
About the Artist
Visiting glass artist from the UK, Elizabeth Welch aims to bring a sense of realism to her Lampworked glass sculpture. Through her intricate and detailed sculptures, Elizabeth Welch has established herself creating stunning pieces that capture the fleeting beauty and essence of various animals.
Elizabeth’s artistic vision is enriched by the legacy of glassmaking. Combining classical methods and the vibrancy of modern glass art, it infuses her work with a sense of tradition with contemporary flair. This blend of influences not only defines the uniqueness of her creations but also reflects her commitment to honouring the heritage craft of lampworking while exploring its potential for innovation and expression.
Objective
Students will learn shop safety, be Introduced to the Flame working shop, tools, materials and techniques used in Flame working. Students will have the opportunity to apply those skills to create their very own using the techniques to shape and manipulate the glass. All glass creations are the student to keep at the end of the class.
Note: glass needs to cool down slowly in the kiln overnight and will be available for pickup the following day. We can organise to post you your projects at an additional fee if required
Prerequisites
No previous experience in glass or flame working required, class is open to all interested parties. Ages 14+
Materials & Supplies
All required materials and tools to complete the projects will be provided by the studio and included in the course fees. Students are asked to wear cotton or natural material clothing, long pants, and close toed shoes. Please bring a water bottle, and snacks/lunch to keep energy levels up!