Flame Working
– BOROSILICATE CURRICULUM – LEARN THE FUNDAMENTALS –
Four-Week Survey Classes & Skill-Building Workshops
SiNaCa Studios’ borosilicate curriculum offers a focused, fundamentals-based path for students interested in sculpting and shaping hard glass at the torch. Known for its strength and thermal resistance, borosilicate glass requires a hotter flame and a steady hand—but rewards students with the ability to create intricate, durable forms.
All students begin with a Survey I class, where they’ll learn essential techniques, safety practices, and studio flow. From there, students progress through a series of leveled workshops designed to reinforce and expand their skills.
To move to the next survey level, students must complete a minimum of two workshops at their current level. Tools and basic supplies are included in all survey classes and workshops.
Here’s how the structure works:
- Survey Classes: 4-week series introducing foundational techniques and studio flow
- Workshops: provide specialized skill-building experiences
- Progression: Complete 2 workshops after each Survey Class to move to the next level
- Included: All tools, equipment, and safety gear
- Instruction is hands-on, guided by experienced artists in SiNaCa’s dedicated flame working studio
Whether you’re learning to shape hollow forms in Survey II or mastering sculptural techniques in a Level Three workshop, each step builds confidence, control, and creative range.
📎 Before You Begin –
Be sure to review our FAQ page for important info on what to wear, when to arrive, and how to complete your Release Form. It’s everything you need to know before your first class.
Borosilicate Survey I: Getting Started with Borosilicate Glass
Price: $525 Per Participant | Duration: 4 sessions : 3 hours per session | Class Size: Min 2 – Max 4 | Ages 14+ | Prerequisite: None
This course is designed to be the first step in introducing beginning students to the exciting world of working with borosilicate glass. This 4-week (12-hour) class will teach you the fundamentals of working in our flame working studio.
- Learn safety protocols and proper equipment usage
- Practice basic techniques: making seals, flame cutting, combining rods, and creating punties
- Create playful, sculptural candies out of glass
- Tools and basic supplies are included in this course
Borosilicate Level One Workshops
Refine Your Torch Skills and Build a Strong Foundation
Level One workshops are designed for students who have completed Borosilicate Survey I and are ready to deepen their control, confidence, and creative range at the torch. These focused, project-based sessions reinforce core techniques while introducing new forms and methods specific to working with hard glass.
All instruction takes place in SiNaCa’s dedicated flame working studio using borosilicate glass (Pyrex), known for its strength and thermal resistance. Tools and basic supplies are included. Materials are not included, but compatible glass is available for purchase through the SiNaCa Store.
By completing Level One Workshops, students will:
- 🔹 Practice shaping solid forms like pendants, marbles, or small sculptures
- 🔹 Explore basic hollow techniques such as tube shaping and seals
- 🔹 Strengthen flame chemistry, heat control, and tool handling
- 🔹 Experiment with color application and surface decoration
🧭 To advance to Borosilicate Survey II, students must complete at least two Level One Workshops.
Borosilicate Level One Jewelry Workshop: Jewelry Basics |
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Price: $160 Per Participant | Class Duration: 1 session(s) | 3 hours/session | Class Size: Min 2- Max 4 | Ages 14+ | Prerequisite: Borosilicate Survey I In this 3-hour workshop, students will advance their skills in making implosion flower pendants. Students will focus on:
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Borosilicate Level One Sculpting Workshop: Solid Sculpting |
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Price: $160 Per Participant | Class Duration: 1 session(s) | 3 hours/session | Class Size: Min 2- Max 4 Ages 14+ | Prerequisite: Borosilicate Survey I In this 3-hour workshop, students will advance their skills in making small solid sculptures (turtle, dolphins, flowers, etc.) Students will learn:
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Borosilicate Level One Jewelry Workshop: Floating Opal |
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Price: $160 Per Participant | Class Duration: 1 session(s) | 3 hours/session | Class Size: Min 2- Max 4 | Ages 14+ | Prerequisite: Borosilicate Survey I Discover the magic of encasement in this level one borosilicate workshop, where students will learn to trap light and color within molten glass. Using synthetic Gilson opals, participants will explore the step-by-step process of suspending an opal within clear borosilicate—creating the illusion of a gem floating in space. Students will learn…….
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Borosilicate Level One Networking Workshop: Networking Basics – Not Currently Offered |
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Price: $160 Per Participant | Class Duration: 1 session(s) | 3 hours/session | Class Size: Min 2- Max 4 | Ages 14+ | Prerequisite: Borosilicate Survey I In this 3-hour workshop, students will learn the specific technique of creating a lattice -like pattern of networking glass. Students will learn:
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Level One Workshops – Now Enrolling
Borosilicate Survey II: Solid Color Technique
Price: $525 Per Participant | Duration: 4 sessions : 3 hours per session | Class Size: Min 2 – Max 4 | Ages 14+ | Prerequisite: Borosilicate Survey I + L1 Workshop(s)
In this 4- week course students will learn how to advance their skills and techniques learned in Borosilicate Survey I. This course will focus on specific color applications; dot stacking, raking, etc., to create decorative color applications applied to sculpture/ functional objects.
- How to layer colors on top of each other in a dot like pattern
- How to use a raking color technique
- How to attach minimal appendages to shapes
- How to make specific inclusions (vortex marble)
- How to build a Networked box
Borosilicate Level Two Workshops
Refine Technique and Explore Sculptural Possibilities
Level Two workshops are designed for students who have completed Borosilicate Survey II and are ready to expand their technical range and creative ambition at the torch. These sessions focus on more advanced flame working techniques—introducing greater control over hollow forms, seals, and sculptural construction.
Students will explore multi-part assemblies, precision shaping, and advanced flame chemistry while developing a deeper understanding of borosilicate’s working properties. Emphasis is placed on clean joins, structural integrity, and expressive form.
All instruction takes place in SiNaCa’s dedicated flame working studio using borosilicate glass (Pyrex). Tools and basic supplies are included. Materials are not included but are available for purchase through the SiNaCa Store.
🧭 To advance to Borosilicate Survey III, students must complete at least two Level Two Workshops.
Borosilicate Level Two Jewelry Workshop: Working with Dichroic Glass |
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Price: $160 Per Participant | Class Duration: 1 session(s) | 3 hours/session | Class Size: Min 2- Max 4 | Ages 14+ | Prerequisite: Borosilicate Survey II In this 3-hour workshop, students will learn how to cut and encase dichroic and use it to create cane, prep for other work, and finished pieces.
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Borosilicate Level Two Sculpting Workshop: Vortex Marbles |
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Price: $160 Per Participant | Class Duration: 1 session(s) | 3 hours/session | Class Size: Min 2- Max 4 Ages 14+ | Prerequisite: Borosilicate Survey II In this 3-hour workshop, students will learn the perfect the vortex marble.
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Borosilicate Level Two Networking Workshop: Building a Box – Not Currently Offered |
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Price: $160 Per Participant | Class Duration: 1 session(s) | 3 hours/session | Class Size: Min 2- Max 4 | Ages 14+ | Prerequisite: Borosilicate Survey II In this 3-hour workshop, students will learn how to advance their Networking skills into 3-dimensional objects. Students will make a medium sized networked box.
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Level Two Workshops – Now Enrolling
Borosilicate Survey III: Working Hollow
Price: $525 Per Participant | Duration: 4 sessions : 3 hours per session | Class Size: Min/Max 2 | Ages 14+ | Prerequisite: Borosilicate Survey II + L2 Workshop(s)
In this advanced level course, students will utilize color applications used in Borosilicate Survey I & II and learn how to incorporate that into blown glass objects in the flame working studio.
Students will learn how to…
- Learn tube seals by making blanks
- Create color tubing through coil potting and striping onto clear
- Blow small scale glass vessel
Borosilicate Level Three Workshops
Sculpt with Intention and Technical Mastery
Level Three workshops are designed for students who have completed Borosilicate Survey III and are ready to pursue advanced sculptural and technical challenges at the torch. These sessions emphasize precision, planning, and expressive form—encouraging students to synthesize prior learning into more ambitious, self-directed work.
Workshops may explore multi-component assemblies, advanced hollow construction, cold seals, or complex color layering. Students are expected to work with intention, applying their knowledge of flame chemistry, tool use, and structural design to create refined, durable forms.
All instruction takes place in SiNaCa’s dedicated flame working studio using borosilicate glass (Pyrex). Tools and basic supplies are included. Project materials are sold separately and available through the SiNaCa Store.
Borosilicate Level Three Jewelry Workshop: Hollow Beads |
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Price: $160 Per Participant | Class Duration: 1 session | 3 hours/session | Class Size: Min 2 – Max 4 Ages 14+ | Prerequisite: Borosilicate Survey III Students will learn how to make hollow beads out of borosilicate glass. They will apply color techniques learned in prior classes and practice loops and hooks.
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Borosilicate Level Three Sculpting Workshop: Blown Vessel |
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Price: $160 Per Participant | Class Duration: 1 session | 3 hours/session | Class Size: Min 2 – Max 4 Ages 14+ | Prerequisite: Borosilicate Survey III Students will create a small blown vessel, with the option to incorporate color techniques learned in prior classes.
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Borosilicate Level Three Networking Workshop: Large Vessel – Not Currently Offered |
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Price: $160 Per Participant | Class Duration: 1 session | 3 hours/session | Class Size: Min 2 – Max 4 Ages 14+ | Prerequisite: Borosilicate Survey III In this workshop, students will learn to make a large-scale vessel. They will advance skills learned in prior Networking classes, focusing on lattice patterns, perfecting circles, and creating an amphora-inspired sculptural form.
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