Glass Shaping With Flame Workshop

About this event

Flameworking, sometimes called lampworking, is one of the oldest and most intimate branches of glasscraft — a tradition that traces its roots to Venice and Murano, though it has quietly found committed practitioners in Istanbul's Asian-side workshop culture. This session brings participants into direct contact with that lineage, guided by an experienced glass artisan who has spent years developing a tactile, unhurried approach to the craft. Held inside All Saints Moda Kilisesi — a 19th-century Anglican church near the Moda seafront that has evolved into a quietly beloved cultural venue — the setting itself rewards attention. High ceilings, muted morning light filtering through arched windows, and the faint smell of warm glass create an atmosphere that few conventional workshop spaces can match. Participants will be introduced to the tools of the trade: borosilicate glass rods, a handheld or bench-mounted torch, and the basic physics of how heat, gravity, and breath interact with molten material. Expect to make at least one small finished object — a pendant, a bead, or a simple sculptural form — that you take home. No prior experience is needed, and groups are kept deliberately small to ensure genuine mentorship rather than assembly-line instruction. Kadıköy on a May morning is a sensory event in its own right, and arriving early gives you the chance to walk the Moda coastline or pick up a proper Turkish breakfast before the session begins. Wear natural-fiber clothing, avoid synthetics near open flame, and come ready to be surprised by how quickly glass becomes responsive in your hands.