Tacoma Glassblowing Studio: Hours, Address, Tacoma Glassblowing Studio Reviews: 5/5
Tacoma Glassblowing Studio
Tacoma Glassblowing Studio
5
Speciality & Gift Shops • Art Galleries • Lessons & Workshops
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9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Tuesday
9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Wednesday
9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Thursday
9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Friday
9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Saturday
9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Sunday
9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
About
TGS offers visitors a close up view of how hand blown glass is made and gives guests the opportunity to try it for themselves. The Glassblowing Experience is a one-on-one session with a skilled glassblower where people of all ages and walks in life can create blown glass for themselves. This facility also offers classes, group events, corporate gifts and their glass gallery features very talented local glass
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The area
Address
How to get there
- South 25th St • 3 min walk
- Union Station/South 19th St • 6 min walk
Best nearby
Restaurants
411 within 3 miles
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0.2 mi$ • Quick Bites • Cafe
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192
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Attractions
77 within 6 miles
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0.1 miBreweries
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238
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Union Station
145
0.3 miPoints of Interest & Landmarks
Tacoma Art Museum
263
0.5 miArt Museums
Wingman Brewers
1
0.4 miBreweries
Chihuly Bridge of Glass
622
1.4 miPoints of Interest & Landmarks
Contribute
Detailed Reviews: Reviews order informed by descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as cleanliness, atmosphere, general tips and location information.
Popular mentions
5.0
190 reviews
Excellent
165
Very good
21
Average
3
Poor
1
Terrible
0
Kristen S
Philadelphia, PA51 contributions
Sep 2021 • Couples
We did the glassblowing experience and leaned how to make garden art. We had time to look at the different shapes available and select our colors and then our artist/instructor Ben guided us in making our creations. We learned a lot about glassblowing and loved making our own art. We each selected a different shape and different flourishes and it was really interesting to see how slight differences in the process can make very different pieces (such as opening the bubble to make a flower shape). We did this experience while on vacation to the West Coast so we opted to have our pieces shipped to us. They arrived a week after our experience and were in perfect condition. This was a great experience and we made our own unique souvenirs. I wish we lived closer—I’d love to go back and make more glass art. We highly recommend the glassblowing experiences at Tacoma Glassblowing Studio! The staff there are awesome!
Written October 3, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
Kerri H
1 contribution
Nov 2021 • Friends
I’ve been to Tacoma Glassblowing Studio twice in the past six months & each time has been wonderful! Casey is fantastic helping pick colors & Ben is my favorite artist in the hot shop. Ben takes the time to explain the process & answer all questions when it comes to making a personal piece. My family loves Ben! Thank you to all the staff for making the experience so much fun!
Written November 13, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
Holly D
United States39 contributions
Jan 2021
Just walking into all of that beautifully handblown glassware was stunning. I found entirely too many pieces that I obviously couldn't live without and the service was friendly, helpful, but not hovering. I was told about the classes as they would be starting up again as soon as Washington state hit phase 3. I will be there and continue my review after creating my own piece of art! Hey, a girl can hope!
Written June 6, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
Sherrie D.
1 contribution
Nov 2021
I just did the ornament class with a few friends. It was so much fun! We had four hours to make 8 ornaments each. So my group of four turned out 32 unique, beautiful ornaments. I personally made two of colors that can be displayed in all seasons. This was both a fun and educational experience, well worth the $. Our instructors were all excellent teachers. Jake was a very patient teacher and talked me through saving what could have been a disastrous failure on one of my pieces. I will be doing this again!
Written November 23, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
travelerwmmary
Bremerton, WA275 contributions
Sep 2019
Sitting in the balcony while artists were creating glass blown vases was a very informative experience. It was the first time I had seen the art from beginning to finish. It is an art and a skill. The Tacoma studio is set up so observers can see the whole thing in comfort, It is worth taking the time to see the total process.
Written February 21, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
Holly D
United States39 contributions
Jan 2021
The shop is small, but filled with colorful, creative, handmade items that show a level of artistry that makes me jealous. Unfortunately, there wasn't a lot of demonstration going on, but I hope to return when phase 3 hits and classes are allowed. The staff was friendly, helpful without hovering and the whole experience was delightful.
Written January 17, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
Jon K
Olympia, WA98 contributions
Sep 2012 • Family
Oh come on, where can you see anything like it?
It's an amazing building and fun to watch them turn raw glass into art. Plenty to do and eat in the area too. Tacoma isn't like Seattle. Parking is easy and whatever kind of food you like is reasonable.
It's an amazing building and fun to watch them turn raw glass into art. Plenty to do and eat in the area too. Tacoma isn't like Seattle. Parking is easy and whatever kind of food you like is reasonable.
Written February 14, 2013
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
EClady
Westchester County, NY144 contributions
Nov 2012 • Couples
If they had more stars, I would give this the max!
We made our appointments a few weeks in advance for a Sunday afternoon. There are two glassblowers at a time working with 1 person each, and they give you nearly a full half hour each. This is why you need an appointment!
My husband and I went sequentially, so we each took pictures of each other blowing and shaping the glass. If you don't make an appointment, you can just go in and watch the process for free! But it's so much better to pay for the experience of actually blowing and shaping a full sized glass object. Barbara, the lady who was in charge of the office end on the day we were there, is the most patient and encouraging lady you could want to meet. She explained the process in great detail and helped us to choose what we wanted to make and then choose the colors for our project. There was quite a selection of nice and useful or just decorative projects to choose from. I made a lovely serving bowl. As for the color and/or pattern, you get to design exactly what you want. The colors are in tiny little pieces that look like tiny rectangular chocolate chips sorted by color. She showed us how to choose them - some are transparent and some are more opaque. You can pick as many colors as you want. You can also choose a pattern for the colors in your piece including swirls, gill-looking patterns, or other patterns.
The glassblowers are incredibly patient - we watched a young teen and an older woman, and the glassblowers carefully talked them through each step of the way. When it was my turn, I was amazed that with strategic help, I was able to make something so lovely.
If you are not local, plan on going there a few days before going home, because it takes a couple of days to slowly cool down and you can save the shipping charges by picking up your work. We didn't know this when we planned the trip and went from there to the airport. For a decent shipping charge, they shipped our projects to us - VERY well wrapped. For the two of us, with shipping to the east coast, the total charge was $150 - steep, but a lifetime experience. There are lots of expensive things to do in the Seattle/Tacoma area. Choose wisely - but put this on your list. You won't be disappointed!
We made our appointments a few weeks in advance for a Sunday afternoon. There are two glassblowers at a time working with 1 person each, and they give you nearly a full half hour each. This is why you need an appointment!
My husband and I went sequentially, so we each took pictures of each other blowing and shaping the glass. If you don't make an appointment, you can just go in and watch the process for free! But it's so much better to pay for the experience of actually blowing and shaping a full sized glass object. Barbara, the lady who was in charge of the office end on the day we were there, is the most patient and encouraging lady you could want to meet. She explained the process in great detail and helped us to choose what we wanted to make and then choose the colors for our project. There was quite a selection of nice and useful or just decorative projects to choose from. I made a lovely serving bowl. As for the color and/or pattern, you get to design exactly what you want. The colors are in tiny little pieces that look like tiny rectangular chocolate chips sorted by color. She showed us how to choose them - some are transparent and some are more opaque. You can pick as many colors as you want. You can also choose a pattern for the colors in your piece including swirls, gill-looking patterns, or other patterns.
The glassblowers are incredibly patient - we watched a young teen and an older woman, and the glassblowers carefully talked them through each step of the way. When it was my turn, I was amazed that with strategic help, I was able to make something so lovely.
If you are not local, plan on going there a few days before going home, because it takes a couple of days to slowly cool down and you can save the shipping charges by picking up your work. We didn't know this when we planned the trip and went from there to the airport. For a decent shipping charge, they shipped our projects to us - VERY well wrapped. For the two of us, with shipping to the east coast, the total charge was $150 - steep, but a lifetime experience. There are lots of expensive things to do in the Seattle/Tacoma area. Choose wisely - but put this on your list. You won't be disappointed!
Written November 16, 2012
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
Just wanted to say thank you for the kind words and awesome review of our business. We really appreciate it and thank you for coming in and blowing glass with us! Hope to see you again someday.
Written November 20, 2012
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
daxdad
Seattle, Wa, & Wise, VA96 contributions
Nov 2014 • Family
This was my second time taking a class. This was a two day course. The instructors have all worked at the glass museum and/or with other famous artists such as Dale Chihuly. They are knowledgeable, patient and make your work look good. It was not only an inspiring learning experience. But I went home with 4 beautiful pieces which took care of much of my Christmas list! I think it may cost less to take the class and make your own pieces than it would to buy them in a gallery. If you love blown glass, then go for it; they will make sure even you can do it... and do it well.
Written February 19, 2015
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
Loren778899
Ketchikan, AK263 contributions
Nov 2014 • Family
A great experience for the whole family. You can see up close a real skill that should not be lost. A creative glass/mind blowing experience!
Written November 10, 2014
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
How accessible is this to person limited to a power wheelchair. Full use of arms and shoulders.
Jeannine S
Tacoma20 contributions
Hi, you can still do most, if not all of the steps. Just let us know when you book that there is a wheelchair so we can put you guys in a station that will be less congested. We look forward to your call & getting you scheduled. 253-383-3499
How much is it and can u do 8 ladies at once for a girls night out or sat afternoon
Dmguptill
Tacoma, WA7 contributions
There is a discount per person when doing groups, but for actual prices, you will have to contact them. I would hate to put down something wrong. But they have three or four areas where they can schedule a person, and each glassblowing experience takes about a half hour or more each. My 11 member family did a session for a Christmas gift for everyone and the time flew by because everyone was so focused on each person blowing their own glass, and since there are so many different choices of glass objects to make, the techniques used are intriguing to watch.
Do you offer any kind of package deals or discounts for 2 people taking class together?
Jeannine S
Tacoma20 contributions
Unfortunately we do not, however if cost is an issue two people can work on one piece together at 70+tax verses each making their own piece at 70 each.
Have a great night
whiregirl
Escondido, CA
Is it open tomorrow tues dec 27th
Jeannine S
Tacoma20 contributions
Our gallery is open 9-5 but unfortunately no glassblowing classes available
Frequently Asked Questions about Tacoma Glassblowing Studio
- Tacoma Glassblowing Studio is open:
- Tue - Sun 9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
- Hotels near Tacoma Glassblowing Studio:
- (0.17 mi) Holiday Inn Express & Suites Tacoma Downtown, an IHG Hotel
- (0.56 mi) Courtyard by Marriott Tacoma Downtown
- (0.71 mi) Hotel Murano Provenance
- (0.41 mi) Comfort Inn & Suites Downtown Tacoma
- (0.10 mi) High-rise Loft in Downtown Tacoma
- Restaurants near Tacoma Glassblowing Studio:
- (0.01 mi) Chalk Talk Bistro
- (0.01 mi) Mary's Burger Bistro
- (0.03 mi) Silver Slice Bakery Inc
- (0.03 mi) Happy Teriyaki
- (0.10 mi) El Gaucho Tacoma