Ahead of Christmas, learn to create unique festive decor with glass in Govandi

Artisans shape hot glass into a flower during a live demonstration. PIC COURTESY/@RURALMODERNGLASS

Do you have plans this weekend? May we suggest a relaxed evening of crushing, rolling, and blowing - glass, of course. Rural Modern Glass Studio, the first glass-blowing studio in the city, is opening its doors to a three-hour-long walkthrough and hands-on demonstration under expert supervision.

Shivam Agarwal, studio head, tells us participants are in for a tutorial in handling glass, a close look at the furnaces and machines that make the task possible, and understanding how colours work in glassware. "As a Christmastime twist, we'll be shaping festive baubles using glass blowing techniques, followed by crafting our own candy cane décor," he reveals. The studio will provide all safety gear, and will keep a close eye on the high-temperature affair.

A flame-worked glass flower in the making. File pic; (right) A glass Christmas tree by glass artist Jeremiah Jacobs. Pic Courtesy/Reet Kaur

Helmed by Agarwal and supported by artisans Kanhaiya Kumar, Upkar Thakur, Ajay Kumar, and Rohan Gangurde, you'll learn two key concepts, glass blowing and flame working. "Glass blowing is a game of precision. The glass heats and cools instantly, leaving a short window for creativity," Agarwal reveals. For those who like to take their time, flame working involves the use of more flexible borosilicate glass that allows you to shape and reshape your designs. Choose wisely, after all, form is temporary, glass is permanent.

ON December 20, 3 pm
AT Rural Modern Glass Studio, Unit No 20, Vaibhav Industrial Estate, Govandi East.
LOG ON TO @ruralmodernglass
ENTRY Rs 6800