Myles (photo credit: Laura Marrongelli)

This month’s glassblowing demo night falls on World Down Syndrome Day and we are taking this opportunity to raise funds for a local Ottawa charity called Dragonfly! Dragonfly is non-profit organization that works exclusively with children with Down Syndrome.  Flo will be collecting donations from now until March 21st to help go directly towards local families who need the assistance most.

Click here to donate online!

Please come out to show your support and to bring awareness to the cause.
Also, be sure to rock some mismatched socks on the 21st!  Worn on this day to show how different is also beautiful!

There’s no need to register, just drop in at any time between 5pm-8pm at our studio in Ottawa at 957C Gladstone Ave. This event is free but there is a suggested Door Donation of $5 or more.  The event will be kid-friendly and there is free parking available.

Items made during the demo will be auctioned on our Facebook page with 50% of the proceeds going to Dragonfly.

Down Syndrome Awareness Products
We also have two special edition Down Syndrome Awareness items for sale online, 50% of the proceeds from the sale of these items are going to Dragonfly: Down Syndrome Awareness Hearts and Birds. Please click through to our online shop to purchase.

Who is Dragonfly?
Dragonfly is a program that runs out of the Ottawa School of Dance. From Dragonfly:

DragonFly®

Our Programme for Learners with
Down syndrome

DragonFly® develops critical skills needed by learners with Down syndrome.  Based on international research and practice, our programmes instill confidence and independence in movement, reading, math and social interactions. At DragonFly we believe that young people with Down syndrome can be independent, thoughtful contributors to society, capable of setting and achieving their own goals.

 

Please support DragonFly. We need your help.

 

Now 14 years old, DragonFly is a programme of The School of Dance, a 40 year old, registered, non-profit charitable, educational organization in Ottawa, Canada. Registration #119253391RR0001

Your support will help kids with DS in our community access the Dragonfly program!

Emmalynn (photo credit: Laura Marrongelli)

Marc and Hazel (photo credit: Laura Marrongelli)

Owain (photo credit: Laura Marrongelli)

Rohan (photo credit: Rachael Allan)

Tue February 19 – Tue February 19

957C Gladstone Ave.

;uihih

Map and Directions | Register

Description:

Ultimate Choice for Two!

In this hour long session, bring a friend and assist the instructor in making 4 items.
Choose 1 or 2 forms from the list below:

-Ornament
-Sculpted Flower
-Blown Apple
-Paperweight
-Oil Lamp
-Pumpkin
-Terrarium

This is a beginner-level class, no experience required!
How to register: register yourself online and come to the class by yourself or with one other person.
The cost is $195.00 for the full hour, and includes the four items total that will be made in the hour.

Max 2 students/class (1 sign up spot)
Prerequisite: None
Minimum age: 15
Cost: $195 +hst

Register

Fri March 8 – Fri March 8

957C Gladstone Ave.

;uihih

Map and Directions | Register

Description:

In this hands-on beginners class, learn the fundamentals of glassblowing as you lead in making your own unique paperweight from start to finish.
Students will learn how to gather glass from the furnace, marver it across a steel tabletop, apply colour (chosen by you) and finally shape the piece at the bench with wooden blocks and traditional hand tools.  We polish the final product and you take it home the next day!
An amazing first experience for anyone who’s ever wanted to try glassblowing!

Max 6 students/class
Prerequisite: None
Minimum age: 15

Register

NEW Flo Prints In the Sand
Cast a memory in glass to keep forever!
The perfect gift for newborns, fur-friends and small children!

Create individually cast glass impressions of your dearest young ones feet and hands, and even paw prints of your favourite fur friends! Your print can be made into treasured keepsakes to last a lifetime.

Click here to purchase your Flo Print online!

How it works:

1. Place your order for a small or medium sized flo-prints casting online.
2. With every purchase, a confirmation email will be sent which also includes an instructional video outlining how to create your clay imprinted mould from home.
Note: Local Ottawa orders are also welcome to come in to the studio to grab their complementary pre-made ‘casting kit’.
3. Once the imprinted mould is dry (could take up to 10 days) deliver safely back to Flo Glassblowing’s studio where it is used to press into a fresh bed of sand.
4. Hot molten glass is then poured directly onto the impression using a technique called Sandcasting!
5. The glass tiles cool in a kiln overnight.
6. Once the glass is cooled in full, the unique artwork is all done and ready for pickup!  Delivery is also available upon request.

Unlike ink or clay prints, these glass impressions are mess free and will never break down. Illuminated in the light, they stand upright and showcase beautifully as an art piece with extra special sentiment.  Perfect in front of the window or on any mantel, they also make for lovely bookends, or window tiles. Most importantly, each finished item is solid and extremely durable so that it can be cherished forever in the home for generations to come.

Please allow 4-6 weeks to produce your Flo Print after we have received your completed imprint at the studio.

Please note: 

Small size of Flo Prints = maximum imprint diameter of 2.75″, suitable for very small newborns (preemies) and small pets.

Medium size Flo Prints = maximum imprint diameter of 4.75″, suitable for children (newborn to age three) as well as larger pets

We are able to respond to correspondence during our office hours which run Thursday-Saturday.

Celebrate our 7 year Anniversary with us and help to benefit a charity that is close to our hearts, the Canadian Down Syndrome Society!

Open to the public all day from 10am-5pm.  Come watch us play with molten glass!  The morning we’ll be offering free Blow Your Own Ornament sessions to families with Down Syndrome.  The afternoon will be all about exciting demonstrations for all the public to enjoy in both glassblowing and flameworking.

Our Annual 2nds Sale will also be on outside this day!  With 50% of the proceeds going toward the CDSS charity.

Lastly, we will also be holding an Online Auction on our Flo Facebook Event Page selling several high end glass goods.  Some of these items will be made and promoted early on, some of the auctioned items will be made during the event itself.  100% of the proceeds from the Auction will be going towards the chairty.  Winners of the auction will be announced on World Down Syndrome Awareness Day -March 21, 2018

If you are a family with an extra special family member who just happens to have down syndrome and you would like to participate in our morning Blow Your Own Ornament Session please email us at floglassblowing@gmail.com

We hope to see you all there!!

Wed January 17 – Wed January 17

957C Gladstone Ave.

;uihih

Map and Directions | Register

Description:

Tumblers for Two!

Come by yourself or with a loved one to assist the instructor in making two drinking glasses.

In this beginner-level class you will learn how glassblowing is done first hand while helping a glassblower to create a unique set of tumblers.

You will pick your colours, choose between one of two shapes, blow air into the cup, and flatten the bottom to shape the final piece.
An amazing first experience for anyone who’s ever wanted to try glassblowing!

Max 2 students/class
Prerequisite: None
Minimum age: 15

Cost: $195 +hst

Register

We’re holding a two day promotion between July 27-29th! Find Flo on Facebook and register to WIN a FREE 4 person private party to make your own Terrariums!
We draw the lucky winner Saturday July 29th at NOON!

Flo’s got a great new video out all about our terrarium classes!

It’s the perfect time of year to make your own mini glass garden container to be hung or sat on your table top! This is a no experience necessary class where students come in to assist, blow, turn, swing and even try out the torch if they wish to make the hole for their vessel.

All terrariums come in clear as the colours added on the surface can burn out when using such a strong torch. But the design that goes within it is all up to you!

Upcoming Summer Terrarium Classes include:
– Saturday July 29th – 11:15am – FULL
– Wednesday Aug 9th – 7:45pm
– Friday Aug 11th – 7:45pm
– Sunday Aug 13th – 12:15pm
– Thursday Aug 17th – 7:30pm
– Sunday Aug 20th – 12:15pm
– Saturday Aug 26th – 12:15pm
– Sunday Aug 27th – 4:15pm
Sign up online today!!

This summer we have a huge amount of fun flameworking classes on offer! Watch our new flameworking video (below) or view it directly on YouTube!

We’ve also just installed an air conditioning unit in the front shop and torch studio so you can come in for a class and keep cool.

Flo’s Summer 2017 Flameworking Class Schedule

Click on the class date and time to register or visit our full course calendar to see all of our current classes.

Beginner’s Series:
SALE Part One: Basic Beads $45+hst
Saturday, July 8th at 10am and 11:45am
Wednesday, July 12th at 5:45pm and 7:30pm
Wednesday, July 19th at  7:30pm
Wednesday, August 16th at 5:45pm and 7:30pm
Wednesday, August 30th 5:45pm and 7:30pm

Part Two: Basic Bead Decoration $90+hst
(Price includes glass package)
Saturday, July 15th at 10am
Wednesday, July 26th at 5:30pm
Wednesday, August 23rd at 5:30pm

Part Three: Basic Bead Encasing $75+hst
Wednesday, July 19th at 5:00pm
Saturday, July 22nd at 10am
Wednesday, August 30th at 5:30pm

Specialty Bead Classes $75 +hst

Frit and Pixie Dust Application *
Tuesday, July 11th at 6:15pm

Exploring Silver *
Tuesday, July 18th at 6:15pm

Pandora-Compatible Beads *
Tuesday, July 26th at 5:30pm

Pendants *
Tuesday, August 1st at 6:15pm

Coiled Hollow Beads *
Tuesday, August 15th at 5:30pm

Free-Form Shaped Beads *
Saturday, August 19th at 10am

Blown Hollow Beads *
Tuesday, August 22nd at 5:30pm

Pressed Shaped Beads *
Saturday, August 26th at 10am

*Prerequisite Pt. 2 or 3 may apply

We have more flameworking classes coming up in the fall so if you see something in the video that isn’t on our current course calendar, it’s coming soon!

We also offer private instruction at the rate of $75 per hour for one person, or with groups of three people or more at the rate of $30 per hour for each person.

If you would like to get email notifications of Flo news and upcoming classes, please sign up to our Flo Newsletter.

Fri July 7 – Fri July 7

957C Gladstone Ave.

;uihih

Map and Directions | Register

Description:

In this hands-on beginners class, learn the fundamentals of glassblowing as you lead in making your own unique paperweight from start to finish.
Students will learn how to gather glass from the furnace, marver it across a steel tabletop, apply colour (chosen by you) and finally shape the piece at the bench with wooden blocks and traditional hand tools.  We polish the final product and you take it home the next day!
An amazing first experience for anyone who’s ever wanted to try glassblowing!

Max 6 students/class
Prerequisite: None
Minimum age: 15

Register

How quickly a year passes!  Come join us in celebrating Flo’s 6th year anniversary – April 22nd from 1-5PM.  This family fun event is in support of a great cause and offers an array of things to take in and perhaps a few juicy glass goods to take home!

A spring Trunk Sale will be hosted outside with bins upon bins of greatly reduced handmade glass goods, sold with 50% of the proceeds going towards local charity {Refugee}613.