Entry No. 43 — the Nashville file — filed under: glassblowing
Nashville Glassblowing
A 30-year glassblower named Michael Allison runs a hot shop out past the northwest edge of the county and built an actual 'Date Night' class around it — one couple, two blowpipes, and glow-in-the-dark or glitter glass on request.
The story
Michael Allison has been working with molten silica for over 30 years, but instead of setting up a commercial storefront in a gentrified arts corridor, he built his hot shop out on Craft Road in Joelton. That puts the furnace out near the northwest line of Davidson County, where the hills get dark and quiet at night. It's an unpretentious workspace dedicated to the raw mechanics of heat, pipe control, and timing.
What makes the operation distinct is how Allison structures his private sessions. Instead of squeezing a dozens-strong tour group around a single demonstration bench, his signature Date Night class locks down the space for just one couple at a time. You get two blowpipes, direct access to the molten gather, and optional additions like glitter glass or glow-in-the-dark powders to work into the piece while it's still workable.
What it's like
Drive out past the city boundary and look for a rural shop setting rather than a sleek retail studio—you're stepping onto a working floor with active furnaces, hot glass, and safety gear. The main catch here is seasonal: the shop shuts down completely during the summer months because operating a hot shop in middle Tennessee's July heat is unlivable. Plan your visit between October and late spring, wear closed-toe shoes, and take up the date-night tradition of trading your finished glass flower and paperweight with your partner before you head home.
The move: Take the Date Night class, each blow a flower and a paperweight, then trade so you both go home with a piece the other person actually made.
- 📍 Joelton, TN
- 💸 $$
- ⚡ Up for anything
- 🌗 Indoors
Where: 5761 Craft Road, Joelton, TN 37080
Hours: Added 2026-07-20 — confirm current hours before you go.
⚠ Seasonal or scheduled — always check before you go.
Pair it with
- Bells Bend Park star parties — Trade the glow of the 2,000-degree furnace for open night skies at this dark, 808-acre rural preserve nearby.
- King Murphy's Retreat & The Light Temple — Continue your rural detour by heading east to Goodlettsville to walk the forested Chakra Trail.
- Green Hour — Head back toward the city grid after your workshop to unwind over traditional absinthe drip rituals in Germantown.
Good to know
When are glassblowing classes available?
Classes run from October through the spring. The hot shop pauses operations and closes during the summer months due to extreme ambient heat.
What do couples make during the Date Night class?
Each participant creates two pieces: a glass flower and a paperweight, with options to add glow-in-the-dark or glitter glass accents.
Do I need any previous glassblowing experience to attend?
No prior experience is necessary. Michael Allison guides you through gathering, pipe handling, coloring, and shaping step-by-step.
Where is the hot shop located?
The shop is located at 5761 Craft Road in Joelton, Tennessee, just past the northwest edge of the county.
Plan a visit & invite your people →
Further reading: Official site · Reddit
last checked: 2026-07-20