5th and Middle School Field experience at MudFire

We arrived at Mudfire and put our things aside by 9:55am, just in time for our 10 am class!

The instructor had all of the materials ready and waiting for us. 

The instructor went over the project that he planned for the students.  They were creating animals, real or imaginary, using a ball of newspaper to keep its form, and after his demonstration they were all so eager to begin.

4B at Atlanta Hot Glass

The 4b class and Ms. Ward enjoyed an exciting trip it Atlanta Hot Glass!  They were so excited and ready to visit, after hearing about 4a's visit last week.

We were also excited to use our new field trip bus!! (pictures of that to come later)

A very big thanks to Ms. Ward for driving us.

Upon arrival, we were first greeted by two instructors and they took us to the two galleries within their building.

After that, we had a safety discussion and then learned about the equipment and tools within the work space.

Next they viewed a demonstration on how to create glass ornaments.

Let the glass making begin!!!

Emma starts with rolling her hot glass into the colors of her choice.

Don't forget to add color to the tip!

She slides it carefully into the glory hole, turning the pole slowly, making sure that her glass doesn't drip off.  

Here, Gavin assists by slowly blowing into her hot glass.  She rolls her pole back and forth, while her glass piece is cupped and rolled in wet wood.  This helps to keep its shape.

The instructor detaches the ornament from the pole and then adds hot glass to create a loop for wire, string, ribbon, or whatever Emma chooses to hang it with.

Here are the other students crating their glass ornaments.

Nicholas is the last to make an ornament and then Siena begins with the first glass paper weight.

After she rolls her hot glass into the colors, it goes into the glory hole and she manipulates it with shears and tongs.