For new fusers to seasoned artists
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Open Studio
Free table time and use of basic tools. Work through an ebook, create your own project, or just hang out.
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Firings
Rent kiln time, or let us fire for you! Our rates are the lowest around with undeniable quality.
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Coldworking Studio
Access our professional glassworking equipment at an affordable price. We have everything you need to get creative and make some amazing pieces.
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classes
Nationally recognized quality instruction. You won’t want to miss these!
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Molds
We have a library of molds for you to use in our kilns or at your home studio.
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memberships
BIG DISCOUNTS provided for our KILN CLUB or UNLIMITED members!
Open Studio
At Helios you can create your own projects or remake projects from past classes! Prices are determined by the size of the piece and which materials you intend to use. Firings are separate. The classroom is FULLY STOCKED with every frit, powder, stringer, rod, and sheet glass available in our retail store.
Our in-house staff will be available to answer questions to help you create your glass vision. The community and knowledge shared around the studio tables is one of Helios's special qualities.
Open Studio table time includes use of:
all hand tools (cutters, breakers, etc) located in the drawers of each table
specialty tools (sifters, clay pushers, brushes, palette knives, scoops, etc) located on the back wall
glass specific equipment located in the class area (3m Hand Pads, Dremels, lg and sm Silberschnitt circle cutters, etc)
We store unfinished projects for you while you’re working on them, but do not have the space to store all your projects & materials in between projects. Be sure to take anything that belongs to you home!
FREE table time during Open Studio
Bullseye glass only allowed at the tables (non-BE glass is allowed for firings and coldworking). Foundations course, equivalent, or staff’s approval needed.
Make Your Own Project
Cost of glass & materials. You describe your project, and we’ll figure out the cost with you. Costs include use of class materials, and left overs stay in studio. Here’s the general cost breakdown we use. You can always bring your own, or purchase your own, Bullseye glass and use the tables for free!
| 2 layer Project | $0.65 per sq.in. | |
| 3-5 layer Project, or + powder or inclusions | $0.90 per sq.in. | |
| 6+ layer Project | $1.15 per sq.in. or cost of glass | |
| E-F Glass up charge | $2 per sq.in | |
| G (Gold) Glass up charge | $20 or cost of glass | |
| Powder Wafer Project, 10x10 shelf | $7 per shelf | |
| Frit only | $1.25 per oz | |
| Frit (G) only | $2 per oz |
Firings
Standard kiln firings include: slumping, draping, fire polishing, tack fusing, soft fusing, and full fusing (mostly, anything up to 1525*F that takes less than 24hrs). Prices are determined by space, top processing temperature, and total firing time needed to fire your piece.
Standard Firings
for all Glass, including bottles Below 1525*F
6”x6” - $5.00
10”x10” - $10.00
15”x15” - $15.00
20”x20” - $20.00
24”x24” - $25.00
High Fires
Above 1525*F
any size - $30.00
Vitrograph Pots
Glass Provided
Drop-outs
Schedule ahead of time for temperature monitoring during open studio hours.
$30.00
Coldworking studio
Non members - $7.50 per 15 min
Kiln Club Members - $5.00 per 15 min
Unlimited Members - FREE
If you don't have space in your own studio, or are just wanting to learn how to use specific tools we're here for you!
Students must be qualified for cold working machine use, which takes a few minutes with one of our staff. In most cases, you may use any tool that you have used in a Helios class before. Blades, wheels, and belts are provided, are public and shared with students who may still be learning best practices. For best quality, artists are encouraged to bring their own wheels, belts. As always, just ask a staff member, and we'll aid you!
Our cold working studio includes:
Sand blaster (ask which grit size it’s loaded with. Grit size can be changed to accomodate different projects)
MK-101 Professional Tile Saw, 10” thin diamond blade
104" Vertical Wet Belt Sander (60 grit - cork belts)
12" Diamond Flat Grinder (80 grit - cerium disks)
30" Loose Grit Flat Grinder (80 grit to 400 grit)
Loose Grit (80grit - cerium)
3M Diamond Hand Pads (60 grit - 1800 grit)
Water hose with spray nozzles
Dark room and equipment for screen printing
Drill Press with diamond bits (1/16in - 5in)
Wet Band saw
Taurus Ring saw
Rim Remover
Wet Angle Grinder (60 pad - 400 pad)
mold rental
We have Bullseye's entire collection of molds available, in addition to various other drape forms and alternate specialty molds. You can use our mold library to finish your project using our kilns, or you can rent them to fire at home! With the Helios Kiln Club, our enormous selection of slumping and draping molds is now your collection too! From 3 inch sauce dish molds to the 20 inch Bullseye ball mold, we have the mold you need, when you need it.
The small print: (1) Mold & tool loans limited to 2 weeks. (2) You may rent more than one mold or tool at a time with staff approval. (3) Consumable materials such as GlasTac, markers, tape, fiber products, and glass must be purchased separately. (4) Customer agrees to replace molds or tools that are damaged or lost while in their possession.