What You'll Get
Glass provides a resting place for wine, eveningwear for Cinderellas, and a more dramatic exit from 44th windows for Bruce Willises. Shatter artistic inhibitions with today's Groupon: for $65, you get an introductory holiday glass-blowing class to craft six icicle ornaments at Studio Royal in Henderson (a $150 value). The studio offers classes five days a week at 5 p.m. and 6:30 p.m.; call ahead to schedule an upcoming date and time.
Master craftsman Robert Shield guides burgeoning glass blowers through the ancient art of glass fusion in an introductory class that culminates in six handcrafted icicle ornaments. A native Australian whose intricate pendants have graced the tables and wedding cakes of such celebrities as Prince Andrew and Sarah Ferguson, Robert brings his shimmering skills and glassware supplies to America in time for the winter holidays. Each class begins with a review of necessary safety precautions, during which Robert outfits each student with a suit of hand-blown body armor for good measure. High-powered torches then cast a warm glow over the studio as students melt and blow their crude glass templates into a sextet of elegant spirals.
Robert allows students to take their finished artworks home to share with friends and family. Students will also take home an intimidating picture of themselves wielding the torch to mail along with holiday cards to former high-school bullies.
The Fine Print
Promotional value expires Feb 9, 2012. Amount paid never expires. Limit 1 per visit. Reservation required; subject to availability. Must sign waiver. Merchant is solely responsible to purchasers for the care and quality of the advertised goods and services.
About Studio Royal
For more than 20 years, master glass blower Robert Shield has crafted his crystalline figures for people around the world, his masterpiece being a glass carriage and horse that he gifted to the British Royal Family. Seated before the azure flame of a torch, Robert can make a swan appear out of a plain glass tube, bending and blowing the hot, translucent material until it resembles the bird's feathered body and arcing neck, before smashing the piece because he hates swans. From his academy, Robert edifies protégés in the glass-manipulating arts, guiding beginners through creating festive ornaments and tear-drop necklaces, and empowering aspiring artisans to fire up saleable spun glass.