Blowing Sands Glass Blowing

Excellent venue for a small-​team corporate teambuilding event. I hosted 7 staff members, most from out of town, and they left with some newfound knowledge and their own creations in glass. David even took the time to inscribe each item with the person’s name, the year, and «Seattle». The staff members now have a great reminder of their time in Seattle. Outstanding event and wonderful venue.

What a wonderful glass gallery! I first saw David Smith’s work at the Fremont Festival and was hooked. He has wonderful designs including paperweights, sea themes, bowls, and card holders. I have had favorable responses from everyone to whom I have given a piece as a gift. I even got some friends together for a glass-​blowing outing here, and we ended up having fun and creating some good paperweights! Aside from David’s work, there are rotating special exhibits from local artists keeping it fresh.

I came here with a group from work for our team’s holiday party. The whole experience was enjoyable. The staff is very patient and does a good job walking you through each step. I left with a greater appreciation of all the effort that goes into glass production. It’s amazing that ancient people’s had the knowledge and resources to produce glass. I recommend taking a class or stopping by the shop when you are looking for a unique gift – great gift ideas for house warmings.

I was on vacation with my hubby for our 10^th anniversary and we decided to stop into Blowing Sands — we’d always been interested in glass blowing but knew nothing about it.
We met owner and artist David Smith — he was very welcoming and accommodating and really just such a cool guy. He introduced us to some of the artists who work out of his studio, showed us around the gallery and told us about the artists who made the pieces on display and showed his his work — gorgeous, delicate, colorful pieces that ranged from light fixtures to beautiful organic abstract shape.
While we were there he told us about how he got into glass blowing and demonstrated the process for us. When it was time to leave we weren’t sure if we’d be able to get a taxi back to downtown and he was kind enough to offer to look up the bus schedule and give us change since we only had bills and debit cards :) We wound up getting a taxi back, but however you get there, it’s worth the trip!

My wife and I came here for a date night and had a great time. We took a 2 hour private lesson with David and he made the whole experience enjoyable. He taught us basic safety principles and had us practice dry runs before actually handling the hot stuff. From there we got to make our own glass paper weights and even choose our colors. Finally we spent the last hour creating a glass bowl. We got to keep all items we made and once they were cooled off the next day they were ready for pickup. Overall it was very fun and eye opening just how difficult creating glass art can be. We will be returning here soon in the future!

We came here to blow our own glass bowls while vacationing in Seattle. We had a private session being able to complete 6 bowls. My daughter (7 yrs old) was thrilled to picked her own colors to make the bowls. David Smith was very patient and knowledgeable. He even let our 2 year experience blowing his own glass! David and his assistant took the time to explain the process and use of the different tools.
This experience was very memorable for us and the highlight of our vacation. It was very interactive, fun and rewarding. I wish we lived in Seattle so we could visit more often. We will definitely be back the next time we visit Seattle.

Took a group of coworkers here for a summer event and we had a blast. The staff really know their stuff and make the whole experience interactive, fun and educational. The prices are really reasonable too. I’d recommend this fun activity to any group! Plus there is a little gallery to the side of the studio with some interesting art.

My office and I came here to celebrate our Christmas gathering by blowing some glass ornaments.
We all left delighted not just with our beautiful ornaments, but also learning the pyrotechnics of glass blowing. Its not easy folks, but certainly fulfilling in its own right!
Our instructor certainly had his credentials and patiently took each one of us through the fiery process of making shapes/​molds. Fantastic teaching technique and very personable. One can get inspired before, by taking a walk through the studio where all sorts of glass baubbles and sculptures, even vintage hand dyed silk scarves are for purchase.
After a day once the pieces had cooled, we could pick up our ornaments which came wrapped in cute Chinese take-​out boxes! Cuteness!
I would highly recommend you get inspired and take some lessons here to blow your own beautiful creations.

David Smith is a terrific glass artist. If you are in Ballard, you owe it to yourself to stop and take a walk through his shop and studio. We bought two of his hand-​blown pendant lights and they were just what we were looking for, and at a very reasonable price. He has some other great pieces that would make wonderful gifts. Site: