the glass palette - interactive glass art studio

We were looking for new things to try. Paint your own pottery is a little overdone. This place, this place, is COOL! The ideas are endless and it's really fun to leave a product and not know the final outcome until some time later. The greatest part is that we were from out of town, so the items will be shipped home. If you're looking for a fun way to remember a special trip and you've got some time stop in, we had a blast!

Friendly and helpful staff. Walked you through entire process. They will even mail your project to you. Good for all ages.

It's the middle of February and bitter cold and there's nothing to do in central Virginia. We actually drove from Lynchburg (an hour away) becuase it looked like fun. We were not disappointed!There were five of us - my highschool son, my college duaghter & her boyfriend, my husband & I. It's in an old factory building, no clear signs where to park, and it didn't look like it was even open. But it was, and parking is in the rear. (Go through double doors on the back of the building and follow the hallway up to the door with the Glass Palette sign on it.)The place was busy - president's weekend, visitors in town with nothing else to do, etc. We waitied while the two ladies (mother & daughter) got other people started. They suggested that we look around to see all the options that exist for making things - plates, bowls, picture frames, vases, window hangings, pendants, etc. On display was their own work (amazingly good) and work done by others, and things wokred on and not yet fired. Between the five of use there were two picture frames, and three shallow bowls (2 round, one square). The mother and daughter were buzzing around with all the customer/artists - giving instructions, encouragement, showing us how to use the tools, etc. AS we worked the place kept filling up. The door would open and more people came in. The place has 4 rectangular tables (at least 2 of them are quite long) and another 4 or 5 round tables (that would seat 8 at a banquet). BAsically you get a blank piece of flat, clear glass in the rough shape of what you're making. You then cut glass in various colors and shapes and create whatever you want. One of the round dishes at our table had a spiral swirl of red, white & blue, another round bowl has a yin-ynag pattern in the middle with random colors around the edge, one picture frame was various shades of blue fading into white, another was a rainbow fade, etc. Since we don't live anywhere near Charlottesville, VA they will ship them to us once they are fired and the bowls are re-fired to be shaped from flat circles into bowl shapes.We spent a couple of hours, we had the kind of fun with our kids that we would never otherwise have (when would you ever get your teenage kids to sit at the kitchen table and do crafts?) , we had good conversation through it and one day soon we'll have cool creations to use and remember the day with. With everything we did - 2 picture frames, two 6 inch bowls and one square 8 inch bowl, with shipping cost under $150. So while it's not inexpensive, it's well worth it. They did have a "special" right now where you can make 4 coasters for $40 - so it is possible to go on a date, make something cool and cost less than $50. Let's face it a movie is about $50, there's no conversation and you don't get a momento from the day! WE do plan on going back one day in the future - next time we'll make coasters I think.

We enjoyed our time at the studio, receiving education for the basics upon arrival. We chose a medium sized piece to start, and had fun creating the piece, however this is your artwork and you need to come up with your own design. We had never worked with this media before and needed a few questions answered to get the work done, but we were able to get the info needed and leave our piece for firing. I would recommend going with a friend or group the first time, unless you are very comfortable working alone. I will be going back to create something else, and taking others.

Thanks for the great review! We're so glad you enjoyed your visit to our studio during your Charlottesville trip. Feel free to post pictures of your creations for others to appreciate as well! We hope to see you again when you're back in town.

When we planned to go to VA I asked friends where there would be a studio I could take a fun class and this is the one they recommended. And it didn't disappoint. It was fun and informative - the owner is very knowledgeable and friendly.

Thank you for such a nice review! I am glad you are enjoying your glass making adventures here, and thank you for posting the pictures of your lovely pieces. We look forward to seeing you back in the studio to create your next masterpiece!

Thank you so much for your glowing review! We are happy that you and your family enjoyed your experience and are happy with your creations. We look forward to having you back when you are in town again!

Thank you for your review - I am glad you enjoyed the BYOB Glass Art Evening, and I hope you were pleased with your glass art creations! I remember the evening well, it was the busiest one we have had due to the Living Social deadline ending and our attempt to let everyone make use of the full value of their vouchers! I do, however, apologize for the miscommunication about the food and beverages. I want to clarify that one of the members of the party specifically said to us that we may help ourselves if we wished to try any of the lovely snacks that were brought by them, and another kindly offered a glass of wine - we would never touch food that was not offered to us, and we stay so busy with helping our customers that one or two bites is all we ever have time for! If one of us mistook your food for the food that was offered, we do apologize. I wish you had felt comfortable enough to speak up at the time of the event, or make your complaint known to us so we could remedy the situation. Also, we make it clear that food is to be kept at a separate table so that it stays safely away from the glass, and we let everyone know that they are welcome to serve themselves as they like during their work time. We do not feel that it is appropriate to specify that individuals may only help themselves to their own food, we expect since the event is for adults only that they should be aware of etiquette :-) We hope that your experience was a positive one, overall, and we hope to see you again at another event!

Thank you for the glowing review! We love our "regulars" and are happy to have your support and enjoy watching your creativity expand as you continue to create projects and take classes! We look forward to seeing you in the studio again soon - and please feel free to post your pictures so others can see the beautiful artwork that can be created :-)

I am glad to hear that you and your wife enjoyed your experience at our studio, and thank you for your review! We are working on creating better signage so hopefully we will be easier to locate for your next visit :-) We hope to see you both again for a project or a class!

After a quick lesson on glass cutting, you are free to create whatever you like. Jewelry, various sized dishes/platters, window hangings etc. Endless possibilities. You pay for your basic item then create whatever you like. Cost includes "cooking" and you go back a week later and pick your item up. Fun to do with kids or friends. Not for very young kids. Great to make a personal gift item or commemorate an event.

I remember you and your sister well, and the lovely mirror we helped her create for her home in Florida. I am sorry to hear that you had a negative experience once you had left the studio. From my recollection the delay in getting her project to her had to do with a lack of communication (or miscommunication?) about where she wanted to have her project shipped - her Florida home or her winter home. After finally mailing her mirror to Florida it sadly arrived broken. We mail many projects per week, more during holiday months, and in eight years of business we have had only three items arrive broken - two of which were mailed back to us for successful repair! Of course we are very saddened by any event that causes our customers to lose their creations, and we do our best to treat each and every piece with care. In her case once we had received the broken mirror and determined that a repair was impossible, we refunded her full payment including shipping charges.We are always open to suggestions and constructive critique- please feel free to speak to us directly if there is ever any future concern!

We stopped here in the middle of our trip for a creativity break. Wonderful studio who takes walk in customers. Judy has sample projects that you can do in an hour. She will fire them for you and mail them to you if you are only in town for the afternoon. Wonderful experience and very helpful. I'm sure you will not be disappointed.

Judy,Thank you so much for your review! We are so glad to hear that you enjoy your time here with us, and we hope to see you again soon!