LANCASTER WORKSHOP FIELD GUIDE
Small Slabs, Big Color: Make a Fused-Glass Coaster at the Ohio Glass Museum
A one-hour, hands‑on workshop in Lancaster where you design and build a single fused-glass coaster using frit, stringers and stencils; this guide lays out what to expect, what to bring, and pickup/shipping policies.
Small Slabs, Big Color: Make a Fused-Glass Coaster at the Ohio Glass Museum.
Adventure brief
Small Slabs, Big Color: Make a Fused-Glass Coaster at the Ohio Glass Museum
Unleash your creativity in Lancaster with a focused fused-glass coaster workshop at the Ohio Glass Museum: over the course of an hour you choose a style—tiki, mid-century modern or drink-inspired—and work with glass frit, stringers, dots and stencils to design a one-of-a-kind coaster; no prior experience is required, only your imagination.
Spend an hour turning molten ideas into a practical keepsake at the Ohio Glass Museum’s Fused Glass Class — Coasters, located at 124 West Main St., Lancaster, Ohio, United States. This compact, one-hour studio session guides participants through layering colorful glass frit, stringers, glass dots, and stencils to compose a single handmade coaster. No experience is required; the class is designed for makers age five and up (minors must have a signing adult present), and the studio holds up to 15 students per session. The workshop takes place in the Fused Glass Department on the lower level; enter through the glass double doors at the front lobby and take the elevator downstairs. Instructors demonstrate cutting, arranging, and fusing techniques before you choose a style — tiki, mid-century modern, or cocktail-inspired — then help you assemble pieces that will be kiln-fired and available for pickup within three months. Shipping can be arranged at the participant’s expense. Note the museum’s refund policy: all sales are final, with a 24-hour notice required for credit if you need to reschedule. What makes this experience stand out is its emphasis on materiality and local craft. Unlike drop-in craft nights, this class gives hands-on access to studio equipment in a museum setting, blending technical guidance with creative freedom. The workshop sits in downtown Lancaster’s compact commercial strip, so it’s an easy cultural stop after outdoor activities nearby; the tactile work of arranging glass complements a day spent outside, offering a low-impact, indoor craft that still connects you to natural color, light, and local material traditions. The on-site glassblowing program and periodic demonstrations give context to fused glass practice and make the museum a small hub for regional glass arts. Practical details matter here: parking is available behind the Museum and across the alley near the electric car charging stations numbered #75, #76, #77, #78 (lots behind the Museum are open after 5 p.m.). If your class falls outside normal hours, follow directions to the back alley entrance for glassblowing sessions. The studio is accessible by elevator, and classes run to a maximum of 15 students, so booking in advance is recommended. Bring a curiosity for color, a steady hand, and comfortable clothes you don’t mind dusting with glass frit. Whether you’re after a unique souvenir, a gift for your bar, or a creative break from hiking and paddling in the region, this fused glass coaster class offers a tidy, low-barrier way to make something personal that literally catches the light. Reserve your spot online via the provided booking link, and arrive 10–15 minutes early to choose materials and settle into your bench; instructors adjust lessons to skill level, making this class equally welcoming for kids and adults and families.
Route Schematic
Workshop Flow
A short sequence of check-in, design, and post-class handling and pickup or shipping.
Check-in at the Ohio Glass Museum
Arrive at the operator's space in Lancaster to sign in and get briefed on materials and safety before beginning your design.
Design & Build Station
Choose a style, select frits, stringers, dots and stencils, and assemble your coaster under instructor guidance.
Firing & Aftercare
Class-made pieces are prepared for firing; finished glass must be picked up or shipped later according to museum policy.
Minors must have an adult present to sign the release of liability; all finished pieces must be collected within three months or they become the property of the Ohio Glass Museum.
Highlights
Outing Highlights
Hands-on Glass Work
Participants handle materials directly—glass frit, stringers, glass dots and stencils—to compose and personalize a single coaster during the session.
Design What You Like
Choose a visual direction—tiki, mid-century modern, or a motif inspired by a favorite drink—and translate it into a compact, functional piece for your home or bar.
No Experience Necessary
The class is open to beginners: prior glass experience is not required—creativity is the only prerequisite.
What the day feels like
What the Hour Feels Like
The session is a compact, practical workshop: over approximately one hour you lay out colors and elements, assemble your design with frit and stringers, and prepare the piece for firing; the emphasis is on creative choice and hands-on making rather than technical glassblowing skills.
Suitability
Who it's for
Who this workshop suits best — and key limitations.
Practical planner
Details to review before reserving
The workshop runs for one hour.
No special gear is required—bring your imagination; the session provides frit, stringers, dots and stencils.
The class is hosted by the Ohio Glass Museum in Lancaster, Ohio.
Finished pieces must be picked up within three months; items left beyond that period become the property of the Ohio Glass Museum. Shipping can be arranged for the cost of shipping.
Review cancellation policies before reserving.
Frequently asked questions
Planning Your Outing
How long is the workshop?
The class duration is one hour.
Do I need prior glass experience?
No experience is needed; the workshop is open to beginners.
Can minors participate?
Participants under 18 must have an adult present to sign the release of liability for them.
What materials will I use?
You will work with colorful glass frit, stringers, glass dots and stencils to design your coaster.
What happens to my piece after class?
Class-made glass will be held for pickup; all items must be collected within three months or they become the property of the Ohio Glass Museum. Shipping can be arranged at the participant's expense.
Can the museum ship finished pieces?
Yes—shipping can be arranged for the cost of shipping.
How this guide was prepared
This field guide is synthesized using verified supplier specifications, route descriptions, and destination data. Some booking links may generate affiliate revenue for ADV Guides.
- Verified: 2026-09-07T20:58:00.320Z
Some booking links may generate revenue for ADV Guides or The Adventure Collective.
Availability, pricing, schedules and operating details can change.
Trip details and contextual sources were reviewed by ADV Guides Editorial.