Hi, I'm going to Venice in a week or so and REALLY want to find a place that will not only show me how to blow glass but then will also let me do it myself. I've heard that there are certain places that will let you, does anyone know of any? If you do, about how expensive was it? (Then again, to blow glass in Murano is quite priceless!)

Thanks!

Quite frankly, I doubt that there is a glass-blowing enterprise in Venice or on Murano that can afford the kind of insurance it would need if it allowed rank amateurs to blow molten glass.

But if you find such a place, tell us about it.

When we watched the "glass blowing" on Murano, there wasn't a lot of "blowing" involved. There was a lot of hanging around fires, sticking a piece in the fire, taking it out, molding or cutting it, perhaps a tiny bit of blowing, back in the fire, etc. It is very hot even WATCHING from a safe distance.

I envisioned guys taking full lungs of air, then blowing hard. Not like that at all. What was pretty funny was that ALL the guys smoked and they'd take a drag on their cigarette, then blow a little on the glass, then back to the cigarette. I don't think that glass blowing requires the lung capacity that I had imagined.

Remember Jesca, that the glass blowing factories are, by law, on the island of Murano, that law being passed, oh, let's see, in the late 1200's, in order to obviate the fire hazard in the historical center.

That said, however, there ARE some "glass blowing demonstrations" in Venice-there are signs up all around San Marco for this, the Venice tourist office, located in a white building by the public gardens and right by the Alilaguna water shuttle stop in San Marco (tourist office is to the left of the Piazza San Marco, if you are looking at the Piazza from the waterside vaporetto stop) will have any and all information about where these glass blowing demos. are located, both in Venice and Murano, but I don't know whether this is available all year round in Venice, but in Murano, I'm sure you'll be able to see any number of glass blowing demonstrations, as many as you like. I don't think, for liability reasons, that you will be able to do any glass blowing yourself, but simply to watch the artisans at work, which can be quite interesting, particularly how the glassblowers work with the multiple colors involved in blowing Murano/Venetian glass.

If you like glass, then you must visit Murano's glass museum, (Museo Vetrario) admission free with Venice Card, and then, just next door, the Church of Santa Maria e San Donato-an ancient church with a lovely inlaid marble and mosaic floor from the 12th century.

Are you generally interested in learning how to blow glass or do you want to specifically do it in Italy?

If it's Italy you want, sorry, I can't help you. But if you have a general interest in glass blowing, you may be able to find a course where you live. I took a weekend-long glass blowing course in my home town and found out that I'm a horrible glass blower and I really don't like it. It's the only craft I've ever done where you can't touch the material.

That said, my friend loved it and has taken the course several times. It's difficult and expensive but fascinating.

haha, I guess I didnt really think about the liability of burning down the island of Murano. Last time I was in Italy I did get to see a demonstation and that was pretty entertaining. I like the fact that the guy smoked the cigarette, missypie. That doesnt surprise me at all.

I guess blowing glass in Italy to me was much more interesting than in general. I asked at the local travel agent though and they said that there are glass blowing schools in Venice. Maybe in a few years I'll have to come back for one of those.

Thanks for all of your replies!