CAD to Flame
Mould Making - Mold Blowing
Available spots
Service Description
When: June 22-26, 2026 Level: All-Levels - Beginners are welcome! Spend 5 days exploring new ways to expand your flameworking practice by designing and producing custom mould tools in Rhino. This workshop introduces a workflow that connects digital modelling in CAD with accessible 3D printing and plaster casting techniques to produce small blowing moulds for use at the torch. Throughout the week, students will design and fabricate their own mould and use it to begin creating a unique blown glass object. Students will be able to experiment with building repeated elements, multi-part assemblies, or individual sculptural and functional forms. The extended working time of borosilicate makes it possible to carefully shape and combine multiple glass components, allowing students to develop pieces that may be functional, sculptural, wearable, or experimental. Students should plan to focus on geometric forms approximately 5cm in diameter, avoiding acute angles to ensure successful mould making and blowing. Students are encouraged to bring sketches, ideas, and references to discuss how these techniques might support their own creative work. Students should bring a laptop with Rhino installed (a free 90-day trial version is available for both Windows and Mac) and a mouse. All other materials and equipment will be provided. The workshop is led by Alan Horsley and Jason Hitchcock, beginning with two days dedicated to CAD modelling and mould preparation, followed by three days focused on flameworking and mould blowing at the torch. Course Timeline: Day 1: Introduction to mould-blowing and examples of suitable forms. Students begin designing geometric moulds in Rhino and prepare files for 3D printing. Day 2: Printed mould tools are prepared and used to cast plaster moulds. Students also learn to handle glass tubing and create 1:1 reference drawings to guide their glass preparation. Day 3: While moulds finish drying, students learn to attach blow tubes and practice the fundamentals of blowing glass at the torch. Days 4–5: Students begin blowing glass into their moulds, creating repeated elements and exploring ways to combine multiple blown components into a finished piece. Links for students to download before class: https://www.rhino3d.com/download/ https://www.prusa3d.com/de/ *Hotel Big Mama is a highly recommended place for anyone traveling and is close to the studio.
Upcoming Sessions
Cancellation Policy
Due to the limited capacity of our masterclasses and intensive workshops (weekend, week-long, or longer), the following cancellation policy applies. If you need to cancel your registration, please send us an email. • Cancellations made more than 3 weeks before the start date may receive a full refund minus payment processing fees, or be converted into a voucher for the full amount paid. • Cancellations made within 3 weeks of the start date are non-refundable and will be converted into a voucher, valid for 12 months. If a workshop must be canceled due to instructor illness or unforeseen circumstances, registrations will be converted into a voucher for the full amount paid.