Do I need any prior experience to join the workshop?

No prior glassblowing experience is needed. This workshop is designed for beginners with step-by-step guidance.

What age groups can participate?

Participants must be at least 16 years old to join the workshop.

What should I wear to the workshop?

Wear natural fiber long pants and shirts, plus closed-toed shoes to ensure safety near the hot equipment.

Is the workshop physically demanding?

The workshop requires standing and moving around the furnace for several hours, so good physical health is important.

Can I keep the pieces I make during the workshop?

Yes—each participant takes home five distinctive glass pieces they create during the weekend.

How far in advance do I need to book?

You must book at least one day before the workshop date to secure your spot.

Glassblowing Weekend Workshop in Rotorua by Amokura Glass

Set in Rotorua, in New Zealand’s geothermal heartland, Amokura Glass offers a unique two-day weekend workshop that plunges you into the intense craft of glassblowing. Far removed from the usual outdoor pursuits, this hands-on experience brings magic to molten glass, transforming it under your hands into vivid, functional art. Over 12 focused hours split between Saturday and Sunday afternoons, small groups (max four) receive personalized guidance from skilled instructors who demystify the furnace’s fiery heat and teach techniques to gather, shape, and color hot glass.

Rotorua’s landscape, etched with bubbling mud pools and steaming vents, complements this workshop’s elemental connection to fire and earth. The region’s Māori heritage enriches the story behind glass artistry here, a modern craft set against a backdrop of deep cultural traditions of working with natural materials.

This workshop isn’t just art class; it’s a physical, immersive dive requiring dexterity, focus, and respect for the furnace’s intensity. Participants start by gathering molten glass and shaping it through traditional methods, progressing to blowing bubbles and forming tumblers—the kind of vessels you’ll walk away proud to showcase. By the end, each attendee has created five distinct pieces: paperweights, tumblers, and a small ornament. The intimate class size ensures plenty of hands-on time, making it a rare chance to learn this demanding skill in an accommodating setting.

Amokura Glass’s workshop stands out in the Rotorua area for blending creativity with a tangible connection to the local environment’s fiery character. It’s perfect for those seeking a weekend that balances adventure with craft, inviting visitors to engage actively with one of New Zealand’s most captivating locations beyond hiking or biking trails. Whether you’re local or traveling, this workshop expands your understanding of artistry, heat, and elemental transformation in an unforgettable way.