Crafting Your Own Glass Masterpiece at the Corning Museum of Glass

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Ever dreamed of crafting a one-of-a-kind glass creation with your own hands? At the Corning Museum of Glass (CMOG), located just across the Brisco Bridge from Corning's downtown, visitors are invited to step into the heat—literally—and experience the ancient art of glassblowing. Under the guidance of talented artists like Irene Szarek, you can create your very own glass pumpkin, ornament, or vase.

We were fortunate to be hosted by CMOG as part of the International Food, Wine & Travel Writers Association (IFWTWA) Annual Meeting, held this year in the beautiful Finger Lakes region of New York State. The hands-on glassblowing session was one of the highlights of the event, giving us an intimate look into the artistry and craftsmanship that goes into every piece.

For fans of the Netflix series Blown Away, you’ll be excited to know that CMOG is the location for the show, which is now in its fourth season. The museum provides the perfect backdrop for the intense and beautiful glass creations featured on the show—and you can try your hand at making your own, too!


The Process: From Molten Glass to Masterpiece
The experience begins with heating the glassblowing pipe in a pipe warmer, set to around 1,000°F. “The glass won’t stick to cold metal,” Irene explains. “So, we preheat the pipe’s end to make sure it’s ready to pick up the molten glass.” The process is simple yet mesmerizing, as the heated pipe is dipped into the furnace—at a staggering 2,000°F—where molten glass is gathered onto the end. "It takes a lot of practice to grab the right amount of glass," she adds, as she deftly twirls the glowing, orange blob around the pipe.


With the molten glass gathered, it’s time to pick your colors. At this point, you’ll bring the glass to a table where colored glass is waiting. “The trick is that the glass has to be hot for the color to stick,” Irene says. “If it cools too much, the color won’t adhere, so timing is everything!”

Once the colors are picked, the glass is reheated and smoothed. “I like to stop and show guests the difference between clean glass and what it looks like with the colors,” she continues. The glass is then dropped into an optic mold—this is where your pumpkin starts to take shape. The mold creates the star-shaped ridges that give the pumpkin its classic lines. After the bubble is blown inside the glass, Irene gives a gentle reminder, “Blow gently at first. If you start too strong, the glass will overflow and collapse!”


Shaping the Pumpkin and Final Steps
Once the pumpkin’s shape is established, the piece is reheated one more time to stabilize it. This is where Irene’s expert eye and steady hand come into play. She explains, “You want to be able to blow it out in one or two heats. The more times you have to reheat it, the more unstable the glass becomes.”

The final step is crafting the pumpkin’s stem. Watching Irene skillfully twist the glass into a spiral is like watching magic unfold before your eyes. “After the piece is done, we place it in the annealer, which is set to 925°F,” Irene explains. “This cools the glass down slowly over a 24-hour period so it doesn’t shock and break.”


Take Home a Piece of Glass Art (or Have It Shipped!)
Once your masterpiece is complete, it’s cooled overnight and can be picked up the following day. If you can’t come back, CMOG offers a convenient shipping option. Irene assures, “We package everything with care—bubble wrap, packing peanuts, the whole nine yards—so you’ll get your piece in perfect condition.”

A Unique Learning Experience
If you’re wondering what to wear to this hands-on experience, Irene recommends dressing for the heat. “It’s cold outside, but really warm in here,” she says. “Most of us wear shorts because it’s more comfortable, but we provide safety gear to protect everyone.” The instructors are happy to walk participants through the entire process, ensuring a safe and fun experience for everyone.

What sets CMOG apart is the collaborative and educational atmosphere. As Irene puts it, “This museum is part of the exploration process. People come here to learn, and I love being a part of that journey.”


Make Your Own Glass Creation Today
Whether you’re an art enthusiast, a family seeking a unique experience, or simply curious about glassblowing, CMOG offers an unforgettable, hands-on opportunity to create your own piece of art. With expert guidance from artists like Irene, you'll leave not only with a beautiful glass creation but also with a deep appreciation for this ancient craft and the skill involved. Many visitors find themselves so inspired by the process that they take it up as a hobby, returning to hone their craft—either at CMOG or a local glassblowing studio.

So why not visit the Corning Museum of Glass, try your hand at glassblowing, and discover a passion you never knew you had? Who knows—you might just blow yourself away with what you create!


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