My step-daughter Becky Knicely shows off the ornament she created at the Ohio Glass Museum and Glass Blowing Studio as her mom (and my wife) Sandy Drenten takes a picture. (Credit: Ken Drenten)

By Ken Drenten

Lots of places in Ohio offer unique opportunities to try out new and different kinds of ways to feed your creative side. But there’s one artistic pursuit that offers a welcome extra benefit this time of year — it’s nice and warm.

For a fee, you can learn the art of blowing molten glass into fantastic take-home pieces and much more.

At glass-blowing studios around Ohio, you can sign up for an in-studio class or workshop to learn the art and observe as artists and craftspeople demonstrate.

We did this as a family a few years ago at the Ohio Glass Museum and Glass Blowing Studio in Lancaster and it was a lot of fun. Everyone got to take turns blowing and turning their piece, working with an experienced artisan, and came away a few days later with beautiful hand-blown ornaments. We’ve also enjoyed watching the professionals work at the Franklin Park Conservatory outdoor hot shop in Columbus when we visit there.

As I said, an added benefit in the wintertime is that glass blowing shops — called hot shops for obvious reasons — are great places to escape the cold of winter.

Some studio shops also have coffee shops, bakeries or cafes. At the Ohio Glass Museum, for example, Provisions Bakery & Deli is right across the street, and Square Seven Coffee House (located in Art & Clay on Main) is less than a block away.

Here are some of the places you can sign up for workshops and classes, or just drop in and see what’s going on. More are listed on a new page, Glass Blowing Studios, in Dusty Tires.

Athens Hot Glass – Art glass studio and gallery, offers glassblowing, bead and glass pendant classes. A gallery with over 20 local artisans, they also offer ashes in glass. 21 Kern St., Athens (802) 522-6385. Connect on Facebook (Athens Hot Glass) and Instagram (athens_hotglass).

Ohio Glass Museum & Glass Blowing Studio in downtown Lancaster (Credit: Ken Drenten).

Franklin Park Conservatory and Garden Center – The conservatory’s outdoor Hot Shop offers classes and demonstrations in glassblowing and sculpting. Open April through December. 1777 E. Broad St., Columbus (614) 715-8000.

Jack Pine Studio – Glass blowing studio with demonstrations and workshops for groups and individuals, gift shop. 21379 SR 180, Laurelville (740) 332-2223.

Glass Axis – Studio and gallery with private and group events, workshops/classes, membership and equipment rental. 610 W. Town St., Columbus (614) 291-4250.

Larchmere Fire Works – Offers hands-on glassblowing and blacksmithing workshops at multiple locations. 12406 Larchmere Blvd., Cleveland. Classes also offered at Goldhorn Brewery and Lopresti Union Club. (216) 246-4716.

Mosser Glass – Mosser Glass, established in 1971, is a family-owned blown and pressed art glass manufacturer. Factory tours available, gift shop on premises. 9279 Cadiz Road, Cambridge (740) 439-1827.

Ohio Glass Museum & Glass Blowing Studio – Exhibits on Ohio’s glass industry, gallery, gift shop, glassblowing demonstrations and workshops for individuals and groups, memberships. 124 W. Main St., Lancaster (740) 687-0101.

The Works – Daily public demonstrations, make your own hot glass, private instruction and studio rental. Glass blowing classes on select Saturdays year-round. Fused-glass workshops, private fused-glass jewelry parties, book a team-building experience for groups. 55 S. First St., Newark (740) 349-9277.

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Ken Drenten is creator and manager of Dusty-Tires.com, a travel blog for out-of-the-ordinary places in Ohio.

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