amazing customer service, very nice people. I did some 1 on 1 lessons with the one owner cam and…read moreshe was very pleasant. good experience would definitely recommend.

From the owner: We are currently one of the largest successful borosilicate glasswork studios in Ontario, offering…read morea variety of custom work, lessons and education, as well as rental space for established glass workers to conduct their independent work.

I purchased a "date night" package here for my daughter's birthday a few months ago. Because it's…read morelimited to 2 people, it's a few months ahead before you can book a date. I prepaid and booked our session. The facilities are located in the Wychwood art building on the second floor. We arrived early, and the studio was clear, so we were able to begin early. It was a little smaller than I expected, but certainly has everything required. Our staff was super friendly, and reassured us we'd be able to complete our projects. She went through the various pieces we could choose from to make. Both of us went for a solid bird, and blown lamp. We started with the bird. For the bird, we could choose up to 3 colours. She explained what each would look like once applied. She demonstrated what we would be doing, and had us try some practice with the rod. She pulled the molten glass from the furnace, and handed it over to us to roll into the frit colours we selected. She watched as we put the glass in to make sure we applied the right amount of pressure and rolled it before it cooled too much. The pieces then go into the hottest of the 3 furnaces. She stood behind a protective screen while the 2 of us watched with our protective eyewear. We then moved to another bench where we shaped the beaks and tails ourselves with metalworking tongs. She guided us verbally and advised a very strong pinch and pull to shape. Our little creatures then went into the last of the 3 furnaces, at the lowest temp, where they would cool overnight. For our second piece, we would be shaping by blowing rather than tongs. A rubber tube and disposable mouth bit are used, which she demonstrated. She advised that we need to blow pretty forcefully, and watched us practice before saying "when." Again, she drew the molten glass from the first furnace, and handed the rod over for me to apply the frit colours I had chosen. She then manipulated it a bit before I came in with tube in mouth to blow and shape it. Also mind blowing to anticipate that I'd be using my creation at home! For the lamps, they provide a perpetual wick with the finished piecec, and you can get the paraffin oil at a local hardware store. Once again, our second pieces joined our first to cool in the third furnace before we could collect them. It's an expensive experience, but totally worth it. The expertise and special equipment involved are beyond. Our staff was super nice and answered a lot of questions by the time we were done. We were done early, but then we had started early. It was naturally warm in the studio, but the fans made it bearable. You need to return on another day to collect your finished items. They are packed and stored in an outdoor bench box at a house near the studio. Luckily there's some street parking nearby. I didn't have any trouble parking on a close by street and quickly picking up the bagged items in the box. You have 30 days to collect them, or they'll be disposed of. It was a great experience and memory. It was unique, and having the items afterwards is an awesome way to have your own art as a souvenir. I would come back as a gift to other loved ones again.

We came here for our anniversary celebration. Minna the artist coached us through the process. We…read morecan pick two pieces, an oil lamp, bubble bowl, blown egg and glass ball. The solid piece, you can get a glass bird, bubble bowl, blown egg and glass heart. If two people you will have to select the same piece but can choose different colours. It was lots of fun in a sense you dip your glass in the colour beads. But when we bring it to the machine, Minna will help us. For the blowing piece, we have to blow into the glass on our own. It was a fun experience. Good for date nights and celebrations. Check it out!

Fired Up Glass Arts is not just a store, it is an experience!…read more Warning: there is so much to look at that you need a good amount of time to take it all in so do not go when you are in a hurry. There is half a wall of frit, (so many colours, so many sizes!) and a whole wall of Bullseye glass in full or half sheets, rods, stringers and billets. One thing I find really useful is that they also stock everything in 10x10 inch pieces so you can try out new colours or combinations before you commit to the expense of a big sheet. There is a big window with lots of natural light and lots of room so you can take sheets out and hold them up to the light or lay them out next to different colours to plan your project. There are great sales at least a couple times a year, which have been great to expand my frit stash or try out colours or products I normally would not use. The owner, Jayne, is very friendly and helpful. She is always ready to answer any questions, give advice and assistance, but doesn't hover over your shoulder, and lets you take the time you need to browse. She also seems to know what every colour fires like and how they look when combined with other colours. Any time I have asked about what something looks like when fired, she has been able to show it to me in a test tile or sample piece. That has saved me a lot of time and money instead of having to find out by trial and error. I also find it inspiring whenever I go into the shop because Jayne is also an artist and runs classes, and workshops so there are always pieces in various states of completion to look at either from her own work or that of the students. I always come away with a new idea or a solution to a problem. The other big benefit of Fired Up Glass Arts for me is the drop-in studio times. In addition to formal courses and workshops, Jayne offers regular, weekly, drop-in, studio times where you can pay a fee to use the space, specialized equipment, slumping molds and get help or instruction if needed. I do a lot or my work at home but there is a lot of equipment that I cannot afford to purchase or do not have room for at home that I get to use during the studio times. It makes it feasible to do a lot of different fused articles without having to buy and store equipment that is seldom used but great to be able to access when you want to. This has been especially useful when I needed to do a large project that won't fit into my own small kiln at home. It is also a nice change to work with other people who share the same passion for glass that I do. I highly recommend Fired Up Glass Arts, but be warned, Bullseye glass can be addicting! Side effects include happiness and seeing rainbows.

The Williams Mill Art Gallery is the welcoming front to the Williams Mill Visual Arts Centre, a…read morelovingly restored multi-building heritage arts venue consisting of over 30 artists studios, the gallery and a Learning Centre for classes and workshops. The Gallery has changing art exhibitions as well as a variety of fine art items for one of a kind gifts. The artists is the Williams Mill studios are open every Friday and Saturday to the public 12 - 5 p.m. , but the gallery hosts a special show of the Mills artists works twice a year - in the spring and special Christmas art show annually. It is a terrific place to buy unique fine art works & craft items right where they are created as well as to meet the artist who make them. The Gallery is friendly and personable - one need not feel intimidated at entering this gallery! It works hard to promote and support the work of regional artists. The shows change every 2 - 4 weeks, are always interesting. Openings usually include refreshments and "Meet the Artists". It is a wonderful place to buy paintings, blown glass, jewellery, pottery, sculpture and more. Located in picturesque Glen Williams (a true glen by Georgetown) only 15 minutes north of Winston Churchill Blvd and the 401, you will be delighted by this lovely gallery and arts centre. 5 minutes south of Terra Cotta, near the Bruce Trail.