Neon Crackle Tubes with James Akers and Kacie Lees

Crackle Tubes are vessels filled with crushed glass that repeatedly, physically disrupt the luminous discharge of glowing plasma to produce the effect of lightning. In this 2-day workshop, we will learn about the materials and processes to make crackle tubes and enter the lab to construct our very own experimental crackle tubes using crushed glass, frit, vacuum, voltage, neon, argon, and krypton gases. Glass will be provided to fill the tubes, no outside glass will be used in this introductory course.

What to Expect: Students can expect to leave with 1x straight crackle tube up to 15" long, transformer and a wiring kit. Read more about how to prepare for class on our Registration Info page.

With neon work, participants primarily engage in standing activities such as bending and assembling neon tubes over a torch flame. Working with glass materials requires a certain level of dexterity. Learn more about accessibility on our website.

Eligibility: No experience required. Open to ages 14 and up.

Pick-up: Neon tubes will be bombarded during the class, so students should leave with finished units of neon. Should processing take additional time, students will have to return to UrbanGlass once notified to pick up their work. 

We recommend registering for classes early to reserve your spot! We base materials, and teacher needs off of student enrollment. Early registration not only guarantees your spot in class, but also helps to ensure the class will run. Classes with low enrollment may be cancelled within two weeks of the start date of class. Contact our Registrar of Education, Ari Eshoo, at if you have questions about the class or would like to arrange a payment plan.

Host or Publisher UrbanGlass