Entry No. 40 — the Spokane file — filed under: hands-on
Glass Gods Flame Working Studio
Tim Bohr has been melting and pulling borosilicate glass in this Argonne Road shop since 1998, and the studio bills itself as the only flameworking outfit in all of eastern Washington. Instead of the big furnace-and-blowpipe routine, you work at a torch shaping molten glass into beads and small pieces. They run walk-ins and group date nights, but you can also book a private one-on-one session, which means a couple gets the bench mostly to themselves. The studio also does cremation-ash-into-glass keepsakes, so the room has a quietly unusual emotional range to it.
The story
Tucked into Suite F along Argonne Road in Spokane Valley, Glass Gods ignores the usual big-furnace glassblowing theatrics. Master glassblower Tim Bohr has been melting borosilicate glass rods here since 1998, using tabletop gas torches rather than giant glory holes and six-foot blowpipes. It remains the only outfit dedicated strictly to flameworking—also known as lampworking—in all of eastern Washington.
Instead of swinging heavy molten glass across a open hot shop, you sit grounded at a bench, inches from a high-heat torch. You turn clear and colored borosilicate rods over the flame until the glass behaves like stiff honey, shaping beads, small pendants, and fine sculptural details. The studio also quietly handles custom memorial work through their Ashes to Art service, infusing tiny amounts of cremation ashes directly into molten glass keepsakes, giving the room an unexpectedly poignant dual purpose.
What it's like
Stepping into Suite F, you'll immediately hear the low hiss of gas torches and see workbenches equipped with heat shields and safety glasses. Lessons are primarily private or small-group appointments where you sit directly across or beside the torch while Bohr or an instructor talks you through heat control and glass tension. Expect a focused, hands-on hour or two manipulating fire; once your piece is shaped, it goes into an annealing kiln to cool slowly, meaning you may need to pick up your finished pendant or bead later.
The move: Book a private torch session and take turns shaping a glass bead or pendant you both keep.
📍 Before you go Lessons are largely private/by-appointment and start around $120/person; call (509) 535-7136 to arrange.
- 📍 Spokane Valley
- 💸 $$
- ⚡ Up for anything
- 🌗 Indoors
Where: 2302 N Argonne Rd, Ste F, Spokane Valley, WA 99212
Hours: Added 2026-06-24 — confirm current hours before you go.
⚠ Seasonal or scheduled — always check before you go.
Pair it with
- Famous Joe's Vendor Emporium — Drive 1.5 miles south after your lesson to dig through 160-plus vendor booths packed with oddities, retro toys, and obscure collectibles.
- Dishman Hills Natural Area - Enchanted Ravine — Swap the heat of the bench torch for a quiet trail walk through ancient metamorphic bedrock less than two miles down the road.
- Jedi Alliance — Keep the tactile, focused energy going by heading two miles west to play over 160 retro arcade games on free play.
Good to know
How does flameworking differ from regular glassblowing?
Traditional glassblowing relies on a furnace of molten glass and long metal pipes. Flameworking (lampworking) uses tabletop gas torches to melt borosilicate glass rods right in front of you at a workbench, allowing for smaller, highly detailed work like beads and pendants.
Do I need any prior experience to take a class?
Not at all. Beginning lessons are built for complete novices and cover basic torch safety, glass control, and simple shaping.
How much do lessons cost and how do I book?
Private beginner lessons start around $60 an hour, with dedicated two-person date night or private sessions starting around $120 per person. Call (509) 535-7136 to schedule bench time before showing up.
What is the Ashes to Art program?
It is a specialized service where you can bring in a small amount of a loved one's or pet's cremation ashes to be permanently encased inside borosilicate glass art, beads, or pendants.
Plan a visit & invite your people →
Further reading: Official site · Yelp · Instagram · Reddit
last checked: 2026-06-24