Fall Glassblowing: Make Your Own Pumpkins

Fall has a way of inviting creativity. The weather starts to cool down, everything gets a little cozier, and suddenly, there’s more reason to slow the pace and try something hands-on.

Whether it’s baking something warm or taking a walk through the leaves, this time of year asks us to connect, both with each other and with our surroundings. It’s also when people start thinking about decorating for the season, and nothing fits that moment quite like handcrafted pieces that bring autumn colors to life.

Glass pumpkins are one of those decorations that feel almost magical. They glow when the sunlight hits them just right, and each one is shaped a little differently from the next. The way the colors swirl together in orange, red, amber, or even opaque white brings a special touch to any room.

And the best part? You can make one with your own hands. Signing up for a glassblowing class this fall doesn’t just give you an activity for the weekend. It gives you something you can proudly show off, year after year.

Fall In The Studio: Why Glass Pumpkins Feel Just Right This Season

There’s something about the colors of fall that feel handmade. Leaves don’t fall in perfect rows, and apples never look exactly the same. Fall decor reflects that, blending textures and natural shapes to bring warmth into your space. Handblown glass pumpkins fit right in with that look, and they go far beyond what you’ll find on a store shelf.

Here’s why glass pumpkins have become such a favorite this time of year:

- They match the season. The rich hues of molten glass turn into deep oranges, golden ambers, rust reds, and even moody plums.

- Each one is unique. Because they’re shaped by hand, no two glass pumpkins come out the same.

- They work anywhere in your home. Display one on a mantel, line a few along a dining table, or set a small one on your desk to bring in some fall fun.

- They last, year after year. Unlike natural pumpkins, they don’t rot or collapse. You can carefully tuck them away and bring them back out each fall.

When people sign up to make one, it’s usually more than just the final piece they remember. The glow of the furnace, the turn of the rod, and that first look at your finished pumpkin make it feel personal. That’s something you don’t get from buying a seasonal decoration off a shelf.

What It’s Like To Make A Glass Pumpkin

At first glance, working with molten glass can look kind of intimidating. But the process of turning a lump of glass into a colorful pumpkin isn’t just doable. It’s fun. With someone guiding you through each step, the experience is smooth, safe, and full of cool moments.

Here’s a look at the steps you’ll likely take when making your own pumpkin:

1. Gather the glass – It starts with a glob of melted glass pulled from the furnace using a blowpipe.

2. Shape and color – You’ll choose your colors and roll the glass across small colored glass chips (known as frit). Then, you’ll help shape the round body with tools as it cools a bit.

3. Blow or shape the form – Depending on the style, you may blow gently to form a hollow pumpkin or keep it solid for a paperweight-style version.

4. Add the stem – An instructor takes gathered glass and helps attach a twisting stem to the top.

5. Cool down – The pumpkin goes into a special oven (called an annealer) where it slowly cools over several hours and hardens for good.

Throughout the session, instructors work closely with you. You’ll still do the hands-on parts, but there’s someone nearby to make sure things stay on track. One example that stays with most people is shaping their pumpkin just slightly off-center, and realizing later that the little wobble is what makes it special. It turns into something you’re proud of, something that looks and feels like fall made it with you.

From Furnace to Table: How Glass Pumpkins Become Décor

Once you’ve crafted your very own glass pumpkin, bringing it home opens up all kinds of possibilities. These artistic pieces are more than just decorations. They add warmth and a personal touch anywhere you place them. Their rich colors and unique shapes make them pop, whether they're positioned in a cozy corner or as the centerpiece on your dining table.

Think about setting a few pumpkins of various sizes together for a delightful cluster that draws immediate attention. Maybe mix and match different color tones to complement your home’s palette, or create a theme on your favorite shelf.

Here are a few creative ideas for showcasing your glass pumpkins:

- On a mantel: Arrange them among candles and autumn leaves for a charming fall display.

- Dining table: Use them as a unique alternative to table runners or among other seasonal centerpieces.

- Entryway decor: Greet visitors with a splash of color by placing a few pumpkins on an entry table or stand.

Glass pumpkins aren’t just fun to make. They’re memorable gifts. Surprise a loved one with a piece that they can enjoy every year, reminding them of the special time spent in crafting them or simply of the season they adore.

Interested in Glassblowing? Try a Class

Curious about giving it a shot yourself? Our glassblowing classes are made for those who have never held a blowpipe before. They’re designed for total beginners, and you’ll be in good hands throughout the experience. Each class offers a glimpse into the art of glassblowing while also allowing you to take home a piece of your own creation.

Here's what you can expect when attending a class:

- Step-by-step guidance: Instructors break down the process into manageable steps, making sure you’re comfortable at each stage.

- Friendly atmosphere: Classes focus on having fun while learning, meaning you’ll be in a welcoming environment.

- No pressure: Enjoy working at your own pace, with instructors assisting to keep everything on track.

Even if the finished product looks a bit wonky, it’ll be uniquely yours. That slight imperfection can become a cherished feature, something you remember fondly whenever you see it.

What Makes These Pumpkins So Meaningful

When the final product of a glass pumpkin sits on your shelf, it's more than just a pretty object. It marks an experience where you tried something new and learned along the way. Creating something by hand reminds us to slow down and take pride in making each piece unique.

Feeling that warmth and seeing the results of your effort is fulfilling. Each glance at your handmade pumpkin is like a little reminder of the creativity and joy behind its creation. It's an experience that turns into a story you get to tell every fall season.

With glassblowing, you’re not just crafting beautiful decor. You’re adding a piece of your own personality to it. Whether it's enjoying the colors and shapes you chose or reliving the moments spent in the studio, each glass pumpkin is a keepsake that carries a bit of autumn magic with it.

Thinking about diving into the art of glassblowing this fall? Glassblower Ben is rolling out an exciting Fall Schedule with various offerings. From make your own pumpkin events to hands-on experiences, there's something for everyone interested in crafting beautiful seasonal decor. Explore our glassblowing classes and see how you can bring a touch of handcrafted magic into your home this season.

Weighted by Design: How We Make the American Whiskey Glass

When we talk about an American whiskey glass, first thoughts often land on how it looks—maybe you notice the clarity, the shape, or how easily it fits in your hand. But the real story comes down to the feel. Does it rest in your palm with just the right weight? Is the edge gentle and balanced when it touches your lip? As summer winds down, early fall brings a softer light and a season of thoughtful gifts and small gatherings. This is the time of year when a carefully crafted piece, meant for someone specific, starts to matter more.

What gives a whiskey glass staying power is not glossy looks or busy design. It’s in the quiet, purposeful choices made during shaping and balancing. Every choice comes from hands and experience, not templates or production lines. This is what separates a forgettable glass from the one you return to daily.

What We Mean by “Weighted by Design”

Pick up any good whiskey glass, and the first thing you notice is weight. Not heavy just to be heavy, but enough to feel steady and sure in your hand. A quality glass never floats away or feels weak. Weight comes from careful shaping, the way thickness builds near the base and narrows just enough along the walls.

When we shape each American whiskey glass, we think about how it will feel as much as how it will look. Small changes in taper or slight differences in base thickness change everything, even before the first sip. Too thick, and it loses its comfort. Too thin, and it feels fragile.

That slow change, the taper of the bowl and how the rim comes together, lets a person swirl, sip, and enjoy the drink’s color and aroma. Every decision in the forming process builds a feeling of balance. We don’t chase a perfect shape, just the right one—the kind that turns a basic vessel into a favorite.

Here in New Orleans, our glasses are made from soda-lime glass, chosen for its clarity and lasting strength. The subtle curve at the bottom, created by hand in a wooden mold, adds stability to the base and something unique to the silhouette. Each piece is a little different, with a signature punty mark on the bottom that speaks to it being finished by hand and not by machine.

Formed by Fire: The Studio Process

Every glass starts as a gather of molten material. It comes out of the furnace hot enough to reflect the room, glowing at the end of a long pipe. Nothing here is poured into a preset mold—each piece is formed with slow turns, gentle pressure, skillful breath, and steady tools.

In our studio, nothing is automatic. The process is shared between two people—one moving the glass, the other working tools or the stamp. It’s a pattern that takes timing, constant rhythm, and cooperation. The work moves fast, shifting with the heat. In the sweet spot, the glass is neither too stiff nor too runny. That is when the shaping and finishing matter most: just seconds more or less of heat, the press of a block or paddle, or a slight spin, and the glass finds its final form.

This balance shows up when you hold the finished piece. It is not about being flawless or showy. It is about being comfortable to use, a reminder of the fire and teamwork that shaped it from start to finish.

Actual production here relies on classic mouth-blown techniques and is free from mass fabrication. Every glass is a unique product of practiced routine, heat, and shared skill.

The Molten Mark: Personalization That Lasts

Many think of personalization as something added after a glass cools—etched in later or painted on. Our way is different. When we say stamped while molten, we mean it. The mark is made during those critical few seconds while the glass is hot and alive.

This change is more than just visual. The mark isn’t sitting on top or wearing away over time. Instead, it’s part of the structure now—a letter, name, or date becomes part of the story and the material itself. When the light hits it, you see something with depth, not just a shadow on the outside. This is what makes a simple glass into an heirloom.

The personalization can be a single initial, a short word, or a special monogram, pressed right into the body while the glass is taking shape. This touch gives each piece meaning that grows with every pour and every memory attached to it.

Glass blown and personalized this way holds true uniqueness. There’s no mass-made copy of your mark, just a lasting physical reminder of the person or reason behind the gift.

Built in New Orleans, Meant to Be Given Anywhere

Every American whiskey glass we craft starts and ends in our New Orleans studio. It’s a small space, just two people, passing work back and forth, adjusting for heat and timing, sharing looks instead of words. The process depends on trust, patience, and a kind of shared tempo—a rhythm that develops after years of working side by side.

The setting is local, but the reach is broad. These glasses find their way into weddings, anniversaries, new homes, and fall gatherings in places far from the studio. People seek them as gifts for moments worth remembering. The decision to give one rarely happens in a rush. It comes from wanting something that holds its meaning, built in a place where each step leaves a mark.

Here, the story of the husband-wife studio is in every glass. It shapes not only the amount of care inside, but the feeling a piece carries to its recipient. Both the glass and its story connect the hands that shaped it with the hands that will use it.

You can spot some of the realness in how each order is wrapped and shipped by the same hands that made it. That’s part of the process, not just a side note.

Built to Hold More Than Whiskey

A true American whiskey glass isn’t just about carrying spirits. It takes on meaning every day it is used, and every time someone grabs it from the shelf because it feels right. That kind of staying power is no accident. It is designed and built that way.

These choices mean the glass sticks around. You leave it out after a long day, use it for a weekend toast, or reach for it when an old friend visits. With each use, new memories gather inside, while the story of how it was made keeps the object close to heart.

That is what weight adds when it’s honest. Not heaviness for its own sake, but a reason to keep reaching for the same glass, year after year. When built right, each moment with it becomes part of something lasting.

Discover how the art of craftsmanship transforms each handmade whiskey glass into a story waiting to be told. At Glassblower Ben, we pour heart and soul into every piece, ensuring your drinkware is as meaningful as the memories it will hold. Choose a glass that balances beauty and functionality, and let it mark special moments with lasting presence. Elevate your collection with a piece that's as unique as your experiences.

Visiting New Orleans When It Rains: Try Glassblowing

Rain moves through New Orleans in bursts and drizzles, sometimes lasting long enough to change your plans. When puddles collect along the curbs and the streets soften to a hush, the city shifts. The usual stops—tours, patios, parks—fade from the list of options. If you’re visiting and asking what’s left to do, you’re closer to finding the thoughtful side of the city. Many reach for the easy answers, spending the afternoon in bars or museums. Still, there are hands-on things to do in New Orleans when it rains that leave you with more than a memory or a picture.

Glassblowing stands out. It’s warm and bright, the energy of flame and breath close by. It’s never hurried. You’re not just passing time—you’re making it last. Instead of a souvenir, you bring home something solid, touched by your own hand. It’s a chance to notice detail, weigh heat, and be part of a different kind of story.

Why Rain Makes the Experience Better

Glass studios thrive on heat, with their steady hum and steady temperature. On a rainy day, the outside chill makes the warmth inside even sharper. The rain taps on windows, the workshop glows, and steam rises as droplets flash on hot metal. Each sense feels heightened.

You’ll hear the hum of the furnace merged with rain on the roof, and the space grows softer and more focused. Rain slows the usual quick pace of a day out. Here, that slow feeling is a bonus. Watching glass change form isn’t a quick process. The rhythm of small turns and steady hands lines up with the slower hours outside.

The warmth inside the workshop is a comfort when the city feels wet and gray, so people can settle in and pay attention to what’s just in front of them—hot glass, glowing at the end of a blowpipe, shaped by skill and patience. Steam swirling when glass returns to the furnace glows more in the gray light, the contrast making every movement easier to see and appreciate.

What It’s Like to Take a Glassblowing Class

When you walk in for a glassblowing class, the day changes pace. It begins with a brief orientation—where you’ll stand, how to pick up the tools, what parts of the workspace stay off-limits. Safety is first, but before long you’re gathering hot glass and turning it gently in your own hands.

Each person learns how to pull, stretch, and shape the glowing material as it slowly cools. The experience is hands-on, guided but direct. You’ll feel the weight at the end of the metal rod, notice the shine shifting as you work, and sense when it’s time to move it back to the heat. That responsibility settles your attention, pulling focus away from everything outside.

Learning glassblowing takes time. You might not come away with a perfect piece, but what people do take with them is a story. Some create a small orb, a cup, or a paperweight—each finished with the studio’s signature punty mark on the bottom. Every object carries its own memory, made specific to that rainy afternoon.

Many guests are surprised that a piece they finish in a single class can last for years. Each finished piece cools overnight, then is ready for pick-up or shipping, often with the option to add a custom mark or initial while the glass is still molten.

Make Something That Lasts (Instead of Just Passing Time)

So many rainy-day activities are only designed to help you wait out the weather. But here, the experience leaves you with something permanent. You walk away with an object—not just any object, but one you shaped, felt in your hand, and watched cool on the bench.

Some visitors shape small bowls or orbs, while others choose to personalize their keepsake. The studio offers American-made whiskey glasses stamped while molten, not engraved after the fact. This stamp is pressed directly into the glowing glass, making the detail part of its core. Such pieces have been chosen for birthdays, wedding parties, and anniversaries.

This attention to the process sets the studio apart. The mark is not just a name or letter on the surface, but evidence that it was there from the start. It grounds the memory and the glass itself. Guests often say the best part is the way the piece feels—weighted in the hand, sensuous on the lip, and balanced perfectly for use long after the vacation ends.

It’s not only about having something to carry home. Making and giving a personalized glass turns a rainy afternoon into a moment that stays fresh and personal.

Close to the French Quarter, Far from the Tourist Track

The studio sits downriver from the French Quarter in the artistic Marigny Bywater Neighborhood—close, but removed from crowds and flashing lights. The mood is different. There’s no music leaking out from every doorway and no noise competing for attention. Here, the only sounds are the quiet voices of people at work and the regular rush of flame and blower.

Walls hold rich colors, evidence left by years of practice and pattern. No two pieces are truly the same. Every shape and stamp is decided by a pair of hands that have worked together for over a decade. This husband and wife team specialize in mouth-blown glass, custom stamps, and a process that depends on timing and touch.

Visitors see firsthand what makes the process feel special:

- The hum of the torch and furnace, always alive

- Tools hanging close by, shaped for real use, not just display

- A workbench where nothing looks identical and perfection shows up as balance, not sameness

- The subtle language between two people shaping and stamping each piece, right in front of the guest

This is where tradition and personal connection meet. On a rainy day, that blend helps people slow down, notice the small things, and shape something to keep.

Rainy Days Worth Remembering

Glassblowing offers more than a shelter from the rain. It invites sound, light, and heat to work together, turning idle hours into lived story. It’s an experience that lets you be present, shape something new, and go home carrying more than you came with.

What surprises most people isn’t just the skill on display, but the quiet, steady energy of a husband and wife building something together. Out of all the things to do in New Orleans when it rains, glassblowing is the one that hands you back a physical memory—it’s warmth you can carry, meaning you can see, and a day you will always remember.

Rainy days deserve something memorable. At Glassblower Ben, we guide guests through the full hands-on experience of shaping molten glass—gathering, turning, and finishing each piece with care. For anyone searching for quietly meaningful things to do in New Orleans when it rains, this offers both a warm indoor break and a personal keepsake to take home.

Why Stamping Beats Engraving for Custom Glasses

When we talk about custom glassware, we are often thinking about how it looks. The feel matters just as much. The way a name or logo is marked onto the glass changes everything—how it fits your hand, how it gleams in the light, and how long it stays with you. Most of all, it shapes how the memory connected to that glass lingers over time.

Personalizing a drinking glass usually comes down to two main paths. One way is engraving, which scratches the surface after the glass cools. The other is stamping, done while the glass is still hot and alive. That single choice changes not only how the glass appears, but how it continues to play a role in your life. Here is why the making of custom glassware matters so much more than folks realize.

Why the Process Behind Personalization Matters

Cold engraving feels like an afterthought. It's done with a machine that scrapes the surface of the glass after it has set. The design sits above, never really bonding with the body of the piece. Over years, engraved letters sometimes fade, wear down, or lose their crispness.

Stamping is a different approach. The mark is pressed into the glass while it's still glowing and pliable. It presses the design into the structure, so it lives with the glass from the start. No material is removed—no bits chipped away. Instead, the impression becomes part of the whole.

This approach is about permanence. The stamp endures because it was formed with the piece, not carved into it after the fact. For a keepsake meant to last a lifetime, this depth matters.

At Glassblower Ben's New Orleans studio, every stamped whiskey glass is hand-shaped and custom stamped during the molten state, giving each glass its own lasting fingerprint and making it part of the piece forever.

The Sensory Difference: Feel, Weight, and Finish

Custom glassware is not all created equal. Engraved designs often feel shallow or scratchy, sometimes breaking the flow under your fingers. The marks may snag at your skin or interrupt the clean curve of the glass. You feel the edge. Sometimes, it distracts from the balance and weight in your hand.

Stamped custom glassware tells another story. The marks are smoothly indented and fused with the body of the glass. As you run your thumb across the stamp, it feels like memory pressed into form. Nothing interrupts the surface—the indentation follows the glass's natural lines. It is weighted in the hand, sensuous on the lip, and balanced from rim to base.

Every detail is about sensation. The rim curve welcomes the sip. The base settles quietly onto any surface without clatter. You feel presence, not just decoration. When holding a whiskey glass stamped while molten, your grip finds purpose and authenticity in every line.

Gifts That Mark the Moment

People choose personalized gifts for a reason. They are meant to mark something—a wedding, promotion, retirement, or another milestone. Custom glassware, especially when made by hand and stamped while still hot, becomes a vessel for memory.

With every stamped letter or symbol, that glass carries more than just a name. It holds the heat and intention from the studio. Dates and initials bond with tradition, reflecting a specific occasion with every use.

• Weddings: Toasts with stamped glasses turn simple sips into heirloom moments.

• Anniversaries: Each year remembered with the feel of lasting glass and a mark that will not fade.

• Retirements: A piece that stands for decades of care, with a weight that honors time and commitment.

An American-made whiskey glass becomes more than a present. It becomes part of someone's history—something that anchors memories and invites new ones.

Craftsmanship You Can Trace

Supporting small studios and artists means bringing something unique to your table. Stamped custom glassware is never mass-produced, never rushed. It is made by hand, shaped in real time, then stamped and finished with care. The slow rhythm of the work shows in the finished piece.

In New Orleans, the husband-wife studio behind every piece puts their own hands into each stage—blowing, shaping, stamping, annealing, and finishing. This type of dedication is rare. Each new project reflects the spirit and artistry of the makers, giving the item roots that can be traced to a real place, time, and set of hands.

That difference is present from the first time the piece is held—whether as a gift or for yourself. Slow, thoughtful work is visible in every detail, from how the glass balances to how the stamp nestles in the palm.

A real handmade whiskey glass is defined by its surface, its weight, and its history. Every choice reflects a slower, more meaningful process than anything produced in bulk.

The Lasting Mark of a Better Choice

All custom glassware is not equal. Some marks fade or scratch over time. Some are disconnected from the piece. Only stamping while molten creates a true fusion between message and material.

The right choice combines durability, artistry, and memory. It makes sure that the mark stays with the glass—and with the person—through years of celebration, use, and quiet moments. An American-made, hand-stamped whiskey glass is as permanent as the memory that first brought it into being. When given the chance, choosing this path is a mark that will always last.

Meaningful personalization starts with care—how it’s made, how it feels, and how it’s remembered. Our approach to making custom glassware reflects that philosophy from the first breath of molten glass. At Glassblower Ben, we stamp while molten, press with purpose, and shape each piece to carry more than a name—it carries the thoughtfulness it was made with.