Frequently Asked Questions: Classes & Events

---

A: Our studio is located at 1686 Kirkwood Pike, Kirkwood, PA 17536.

A: We are open 10:00 AM to 6:00 PM on Thursday and Friday and 10:00 AM to 7:00 PM on Saturday and Sunday. We are closed on Monday (except for Refuge Recovery meetings 8-9pm) and Tuesday. 

A: You can email us at burningbranchstudio@gmail.com or you can call our studio at 215-967-9055. Please be patient with us if we do not answer your call right away, sometimes we are in the middle of making cool stuff and can’t get to the phone. Leave us a message and we will do our best to get back to you as soon as possible!

A: No, you do not need experience to take our glass blowing classes. Our classes are perfect for beginners and those who have a little more experience, as well.

A: Our classes are very hands-on. You will go through the entire process of creating your piece from beginning to end with step by step guidance from our instructors. The instructors will begin by quickly explaining and demonstrating the process and then it will be your turn. We offer as much (or as little) assistance as you require to make something amazing! 

A: We host our private classes Thursdays through Sundays at three different times: 10:00 AM, 1:00 PM and 4:00 PM. The only times we do not offer them are when we are hosting a make-your-own event on that day, we are closed for a holiday, or closed because we are attending a craft show.

We host our make-your-own events usually 2-3 times a month and these dates vary every month. To see upcoming events, follow us on Facebook or check out the Events page on our website.

Note that we do not host private classes on days that we host make-your-own events. We do not have the capacity nor the manpower to host these classes simultaneously at this time.

To book a make-your-own event, head to our Events page to see what we have lined up and the available dates. You can book directly there.

A: Our private classes are just that — private, meaning you and whomever else is in your group will have us and the studio all to yourselves for 2 hours and your instructor will focus on you during your session. You will get to choose what you’d like to make and not everyone in your group will have to make the same thing. Note that for groups of 6 or more, the run time for class can sometimes extend to 2.5/3 hours, so consider this when planning.

Our make-your-own events (MYO) are full day ticketed events that are held 2 or 3 times each month and the dates and themes vary each month. For example, ornaments in December, pumpkins in the fall, flowers and Easter eggs in the spring, etc. Each event is split into 4 time slots of 1 hour and there are 5 people per time slot. Attendees will all make the same thing depending on the theme, i.e. the theme is pumpkins so everyone will make their own pumpkin.

A: The best way to book a private class is to go to our Classes page and click on the class you want (2 Person, 3 Person, etc.). A calendar will pop up and you will see available dates, click the date you want and you will see available times to book. If a date or time you want to book does not show up it means either it has already been booked or we are not hosting a class at that particular time.

To book a make-your-own event, head to our Events page to see what we have lined up and the available dates. You can book directly there.

A: At Burning Branch, we encourage an open studio concept. You’re welcome to stop by during our open hours to ask questions and observe us in action if it helps to put you at ease.

A: In a private class, you will have the option to choose from several functional items and sculptural/seasonal items to make. Functional items include, but are not limited to: bowls, cups, vases, stemless wine glasses, mugs, hanging terrariums, etc. Sculptural/seasonal items include, but are not limited to: mushrooms, snails, flowers, orbs/ornaments, birds, pumpkins, trees, strawberries, etc.

If you have an idea of something you want to make, don’t be afraid to ask. We do our best to make it happen, within reason as some items require more technical skill than a beginner level.

In our make-your-own classes, everyone makes the same thing based on what the theme is for that particular event. Like our popular MYO pumpkin in the fall! If you don’t like pumpkins and don’t want to make one, simply don’t sign up for that event and maybe sign up for the next one, like trees or ornaments!

A: No, sadly, you cannot take your work of art home with you on the same day. The reason for this is because the glass needs to be annealed (fancy word for cool down) and then go through cold processing (fancy term for polishing it up) and that can take a day or two depending. Your creation will be ready to pick up at the studio where you take your class usually 1-2 days after your class. If you aren’t able to pick it up, it can be shipped to you for a small fee. You can select the shipping option when you book your class on our website or you can purchase shipping at the studio on the day of your class.

A: We allow children as young as 6 to attend our classes. We leave it up to the parent or guardian’s discretion as to how much you want your child to participate in the process, as you know your child better than we do. We also encourage parents to assist their child on the bench as they will be more comfortable with and receptive to you than someone they just met. 

A: No, if you will not be making anything yourself, but will just be there to parent, you do not need to pay for yourself to attend. You only need to pay for the child/children who will be making an item.

A: No, you don’t need to pay to watch your wife/daughter/auntie/cousin/bestie/mailman/neighbor

make their beautiful creation, but we do hope it inspires you to give it a try yourself sometime. Even better if you bring snacks.

A: If a date is not available to book on our website, it usually means that others have already booked it or we are not hosting a class at that date or time for some reason. However, there are sometimes exceptions, so don’t hesitate to reach out, you never know! We are very generous people, after all.

A. We limit the number of people in a time slot to five because we only have an hour for everyone to make their piece and we don’t want to stress out our instructors. That said, on occasion we have been able to squeeze an extra person into a time slot depending on how booked up the event is, so feel free to reach out and ask.

A: Yes, feel free to bring food and/or drinks! We have tables we can set up for you. Also, if you feel like a cup of coffee while you’re here, don’t be afraid to ask. We’ve been told we have great taste in coffee! The only thing we don’t recommend is alcoholic beverages — alcohol and hot glass don’t mix well.

A: Yes, we do! We recommend you contact us directly via email at burningbranchstudio@gmail.com or call us at 215-967-9055 to discuss details, pricing and availability.

A: We ask that you cancel your booking no less than 24 hours before the start of your class. Bookings cancelled within that 24 hour period and no-shows will be charged a $75.00 cancellation fee. We do this to protect our artists and their time. However, we understand that life happens, emergencies happen, and bad weather happens. If you want or need to reschedule your class, you can reschedule yourself through the confirmation email that you received when you made your original booking online. Scroll down and you will see a red button that says Change/Cancel Appointment. Or you can contact us to help you reschedule. We’d prefer to reschedule you than to penalize you.

A: We recommend you wear comfortable, breathable clothing made of natural fibers such as cotton that fit closer to the body. Wear closed-toed shoes that you are comfortable standing in. If you wear glasses, including readers, bring those as you will use both your near and far sight. Safety glasses are provided for those that do not wear glasses or wear contacts. Tie back your long, luscious hair. In the warmer months, the studio can get very warm, so wear lightweight clothing that will help keep you cool. In cooler months, we recommend wearing layers because it can get warm by the furnace. Please DO NOT wear any of the following:

• synthetic fibers such as polyester (high heat can melt synthetic fibers)
• High heel shoes or open-toed shoes (your poor toes!)
• Dresses or skirts
• Loose clothing
• Cropped shirts or micro shorts (shorts to the knee are fine)

There is an area where you can change if you wish to bring some “studio clothes”.