Glassmaker
Craft glassmakers design and create glass objects from windows, mirrors and tableware to one-off display pieces.
Also known as: Craft glassmaker, glass artist
- Typical hours36 to 39 a week
What you'll do
As a glassmaker, you could:
- design new product ranges or pieces for limited release
- mix ingredients and additives in the right proportions
- blow glass using a blowing iron
- form and bend glass using heat or moulds
- decorate glass with laser, point, stipple, drill, copper wheel or sand engraving
- etch items using acid or create patterns with stencils
- use hand tools, and machinery like lathes and sandblasters
- repair or conserve pieces, like stained glass panels, windows or homeware items
- market your business if you're self-employed
Working environment
You could work in a creative studio or in a workshop.
You may need to wear safety clothing and use safety equipment.
Skills and knowledge you'll need
You'll need:
- design skills and knowledge
- the ability to work well with your hands
- to be thorough and pay attention to detail
- knowledge of manufacturing production and processes
- the ability to operate and control equipment
- thinking and reasoning skills
- the ability to use your initiative
- the ability to analyse quality or performance
- to be able to use a computer and the main software packages competently
How to become a glassmaker
You can get into this job through:
- a university course
- a college course
- an apprenticeship
- a course with a commercial training provider
University
You could do a foundation degree, higher national diploma or degree in a subject like:
- art and design
- fine art
- ceramics and glass
- design crafts
You'll need a portfolio of work to showcase your skills when applying for courses.
Entry requirements
You'll usually need:
- 1 or 2 A levels, or equivalent, for a foundation degree or higher national diploma
- 2 to 3 A levels, or equivalent, for a degree
College
Some colleges run short creative craft courses in glass, which can be useful for picking up glassmaking skills and techniques.
There are also glass manufacturing courses, which would teach you some of the skills and knowledge you need to get into the commercial glassmaking industry. These include:
- glass processing
- glass related operations
Entry requirements
Entry requirements for these courses vary.
Apprenticeship
You could apply to do a Stained Glass Craftsperson Level 4 Higher Apprenticeship.
This takes around 3 years to complete and covers a range of glass craft techniques, including:
- glass painting
- enamelling
- etching
- stained glass
Entry requirements
You'll usually need:
- 4 or 5 GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C) and A levels, or equivalent, for a higher or degree apprenticeship
Other routes
You could enrol on a training course with a practising glass artist or a college offering crafts courses.
You can find a list of commercial and college glass course providers through the Contemporary Glass Society.
Career path and progression
You could set up your own business based in your own creative studio or work alongside other artists, as part of a creative community.
With experience and further qualifications, you could teach students and apprentices in colleges and universities, or run private training courses.
Career tips
Art and design subjects as well as science and technology are helpful if you want to work in glass craftwork, as you'll need both technical skills and artistic ability.
For industrial or scientific glass manufacturing, science and technology subjects would be most useful.
Guides for this industry
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