Moonlight Glass

I just left Moonlight and wow, it was amazing. I have been fascinated by glass blowing for a long time and I finally signed up for a class as a birthday present for myself.
I was concerned about parking since the studio is in Venice but it was a breeze on a Saturday morning.
I am a total novice and John was super patient. We basically practiced the steps until I felt comfortable with them and then we did them.
He explains things very clearly and with enthusiasm. He has lots of energy and that makes the class even more fun.
He eases your fears (I didn’t want to blow anything up :-)) and makes you feel comfortable.
This is such a stimulating experience with the glass, heat, color and everything else… I have not experienced too many things like it.
I left with a paper weight and a drinking glass (Merry Christmas Mom :-)) and will come back for another class in the future.

Just took a private class with John Mooney. Worth every dime and more! He was patient, instructive and the results were great. I highly recommend his class.

Just as all of the other reviews said, this was an amazing experience. John is fantastic.
My boyfriend bought us this class for the holidays — we took the class together and it was one of the best experiences we’ve shared. John is knowledgeable, patient and easy going — a great teacher. He makes sure you leave with a smile on your face and having learned something about the process.
We each made 2 pieces — 4 altogether. We picked up our pieces today. HIGHLY RECOMMEND.

Awesome adventure! Took my two sons as a birthday gift! My youngest turned 21 and glass blowing was something he had talked about for years!
John was patient, attentive, professional and a talented artist. John tells you what the steps are to achieve for your piece, then he has you practice the steps and «get a feel» and finally you work with the glass. Color selection abounds! John has great energy and is a great instructor.
We brought snacks (longer class because there were three of us) including Birthday Oreos!
My sons asked a ton of questions during the day and John was happy to answer everything from history of glass, evolution of glass, to the chemistry behind the whole process.
This adventure will be a memory we will have for a life time!
Telling all my friends!

Out of the countless whatever classes that I’ve ever taken in my life, this was the BEST! I just picked up items that my husband and I made last week, and they look absolutely gorgeous!
The instructor, John, is such a good teacher and a super cool guy. On every stage of the process, he first gives you instructions, and then briefly go over what’s gonna happen and what you are going to do exactly by demonstrating it, so you have a general idea when you actually do stuff. He constantly provides you directions, which helps first timer like us a lot not to freak out. This is not an easy class, but with John’s help, I’m sure anybody can end up with pieces that they are proud of at the end of the class.
I can’t forget about Bro Vi, the cat! He is so adorable I couldn’t stop playing with him:)

Can’t say enough good things about this place and John I planned the 3 hour class as a surprise for my date and it turned out great! The glassblowing class was informative and we were both able to make two pieces each… John is informative, patient and very friendly and his space is awesome too! The class is 3 hours but John took his time with us and we were there for almost 4.5÷5 hours! If you are interested in trying out glassblowing, I highly recommend this place, such a unique experience!

Better late than never, right?
My mom, for some reason, got really into all these glass blowing shows so for her birthday I wanted to surprise her by taking her to a glass art studio. John was really cool about the whole thing. He welcomed us, showed my mom around, showed her the furnace, and talked about how most of the stuff is made. Originally, I called about purchasing two flowers so he really did not have to go out of his way to show us around, but he was very courteous and sweet to my mom.
We saw his gallery and my mom loved all of his pieces. The fishes were beautifully made and the flowers were all one of a kind. Most of the flowers were tulips, but we found one beautifully detailed rose that my mom LOVED! I took a picture, but it did not do it justice.
My mom left with the biggest grin on her face and two beautifully crafted flowers. Thank you very much for making my mom’s day, John. She still tells people about your shop.
P. S. He was so patient and attentive with my mom, that I can just imagine how great of a teacher he is. Definitely give him a try.

This was my first class at a glass art studio, and I’m very pleased that I chose John Mooney’s studio.
I initially had trouble reaching John through the website form, but I was able to quickly establish contact with him through his Facebook page.
As advertised on his website, the price is $ 165 per student, for a 3 hour class. As the class was for myself and a friend, the total was $ 330. John was very good about accepting PayPal for advance payment, and we were able to lock down an appointment for a 2PM Wednesday class.
John was very good about quickly replying to my emails, and helpfully advised the following attire for the class:
*Comfortable thin cotton (T-​shirt and shorts are acceptable).
*Tennis shoes or boots.
*No flip-​flops.
*Sunglasses.
(Note: If you have long hair, bring hairties or other means of securing your hair, for obvious safety reasons.)
Due to unforeseen circumstances, my friend and I ended up running a few minutes later for our class, but John was very patient and understanding about it.
As anyone who has been in Venice can attest to, parking availability in the area was a very dicey proposition — but I was still lucky enough to get a spot on the curb not too far away from Vernon Ave.
As the glass studio apparently shares land space with/​behind an auto shop (they also share the restroom, oddly enough), we were initially unsure if we had arrived at the correct location. Luckily, the helpful gentlemen at the auto shop directed us to the glass studio, at which point we were cordially greeted by John.
Before beginning the class, John provided us with a liability release waiver apiece to fill out, as obvious and inherent risks of injury are involved when working with molten glass (curse this litigious age we live in).
While filling out the waivers, we could not help but notice the glass gift shop adjacent to the entrance of the studio, and wandered in for a look.
John had many of his fine glassworks on display for sale, including cups, Betta fish (small and large), bowls, vases, roses, etc.
I ended up purchasing a pair of pink roses for myself, and a large Betta fish (blue and green) for my beloved friend. I did not happen to have $ 400+ in cash handy, but luckily John accepts credit cards — he generously waived the 2.7% CC fee, and even applied a slight discount to the item prices. :)
After carefully bubble-​wrapping and boxing our purchases, he led us to the work area, and began our class.
For our first project, John started us on the most simple piece of glass art possible: a paperweight.
Before actually having us begin, John first gave us a lecture and demonstration of the steps involved, and asked us to select our respective desired colors for our glassware.
I’m going to go ahead and say that making glass turned out to be MUCH harder than the pros make it look. I made many a bumbling mistake along the way, and proved to be quite the slowpoke. Nevertheless, I’d say John was very much patient with my sluggish learning curve and ADD, and never once yelled at (or lashed out at) me for my novice performance. Instead, he very tactfully addressed the things I did wrong, and helpfully corrected and assisted me as needed.
Our completed glassworks were placed in a kiln for annealing, and John stated that we could pick them up 2 days later.
Although the class was only supposed to be 3 hours (stated ending time at 5PM), John actually stayed and worked with us until 6:30PM (at which point he was forced to shut down the studio and head for a meeting elsewhere).
As we only ended up having time to make 3 pieces of glass (instead of the promised 4), John made it up to us by allowing us to take an additional glass ornament home (we were allowed to choose from several in his personal work area).
(Note: We started the class a bit late due to excessive dillydallying in the gift shop. My advice for any prospective students is to not set foot in the gift shop until AFTER your class is over.)
The class ended without any of us being injured or killed by molten glass, so I’d call that a good day. :)
ADDITIONAL TIPS
I suggest keeping your sunglasses on at all times: not only do they protect your retinas from being seared (should you inadvertently stare inside the ovens a bit too directly/​long), but they will provide some shielding for your eyes if some of the glass fragments in the ovens should pop out and fly towards you (hearing the snap/​crackle/​pop of the glass is incredibly disconcerting).
The metal rods with which you work with can get quite hot — if you’re heat-​sensitive, bringing light gloves may not be a bad idea. If (like me) you didn’t bring any, John has a few (fingerless) gloves he will loan you, if needed.
I would drink plenty of water before coming to the class — it can get insanely hot in the studio, and you are likely to be sweating profusely as you work on your projects. Having said that, John was kind enough to provide us with glasses and access to his water cooler.

The wife got us a private glass-​blowing session for Christmas after being enthralled by the Chihuly Garden and Glass exhibit in Seattle.
From her, I gathered that making a reservation with John was a easy and that we didn’t have to give him a big heads up as to when we intended on taking the class.
Parking for his studio is a breeze, and locating it is very easy.
We showed up for a private 6:30 p.m. session (session is about 3 hours long) and were met by John who was friendly as can be. He introduced us to his fat cat, showed us around the studio and the equipment we would be working with, and showed us some of his previous student’s work.
I really enjoyed the fact that he didn’t have a specific lesson plan other than we would be making a paper-​weight (I prefer the term decorative oblique glass object), and a blown piece. Other than that, he asked us what it is that we wanted put into the pieces such as colors, shape, size, air bubbles as well as other effects. He really encourages you to make your piece unique.
He gives a quick demo to start and immediately gets you started learning while doing. He gives constant instruction for your safety and so that your piece will come out as you want it. If he sees things going south, he jumps in and quickly saves the day all the while explaining better ways for you to execute the task at hand. We made two paperweights both of which looked really cool!
After you make the paper-​weight, you jump right into making the blown piece. If you’re low on time and are in a group of two, he gives you the option of making two small blown pieces or making a larger one in a team-​of-​3 effort. We opted for the team-​of-​3 and made a medium size bud vase. One person heats and reheats the molten glass, while another blows, and another preps the following steps. We had a slip up in the process, but John jumped in and saved the day and our piece came out looking amazing!
Overall, the class is very challenging, but it’s also a very fun and unique experience. When you’re done, I guarantee you will be satisfied and will have a new appreciation for the glass objects you see everyday.

On a whim, with some encouragement from a friend, I decided to jump in and take a class on glass blowing. It was amazing! A completely hands on, learn by doing, make something that’s yours type of class. John was a great instructor and fun to chat with.
If you’re looking for something fun, artsy, different, for yourself or a gift for a friend (or for you and a friend to do together!) check him out!

I just took a private lesson with John yesterday (as a birthday gift from my mom) and I can’t wait to take another. I made a paperweight, an ornament, and a bottle. It’s been a lifelong dream to work with glass and John is a fantastic instructor. I suggest paying the little extra for a private lesson and you’ll get to be hands on the whole time.

I went in this Sunday for a quick class. I should probably say that this was about the 15^th or 16^th time I’ve blown glass at Moonlight. John helped me make a beautiful, large purple starfish. It came out great. I love that since I’ve taken a bunch of classes, and even learned how to gather, John is giving me more and more space to just have fun and blow glass!
He’s also really great about stepping in and taking a turn or two to reheat and reshape the piece, if the student asks him to. I’ve found that doing so during a class ensures that I make a great looking piece every time!
Call or email Moonlight Glass and learn to blow glass this week!

John Mooney has been instrumental in the creation of my lights and sculptures. A local Venice arist; he is patient, honest and passionate about his work and I could not give him a high enough recommendation.

John Mooney’s awesome. My girlfriend and I went here as a date. We were first-​time glass blowers and walked away with two pretty rad pieces — a paperweight (in my case, a nice name for a «blob») and a hollow glass ornament.
John was really supportive and encouraging, and his instructions felt more like friendly tips than anything, but they were very effective. We learned a ton and got right in there right away. He lets you manipulate the glass and try kind of whatever you want to, but he’s great at helping you to make sure you go home with something that you’ll actually want to put out on your desk or coffee table or hang in your window.
I’d recommend him and Moonlight Glass to anyone looking for a fun, super positive three hours and a great way to try something new.
His stuff available for purchase is beautiful, too, so bring your wallet!

this is a cosy showroom/​studio, owned by a welcoming, warm and passionate artist/​teacher that makes you want to drop the rest of your life on the spot.
you can walk through the garage out front and enter to check out john’s art, or book 3 hour classes (prices vary if it’s one or 2 classes and he’ll allow up to 2 people per class). don’t be fooled by how easily he does it– he’s been working years to carve the tools you’ll be relying on.
i really appreciated how super open too my fabulous artistic input and patient with my clumsiness. i didnt even burn myself.
the 3 hours class was definitely necessary for him to walk me through all the steps & i came back humbled yet inspired, with two decent (thanks to him) looking pieces: a paperweight/​a plate and a small vase which i fully intend on bragging about forever.
it’s rare to find a class where you learn so much in such a short amount of time, & i doubt i could’ve found a better teacher. he’s not there for you to do things his way, even if it’s your first time, you can actually start expressing yourself.
although initially i felt like saving money, retrospectively i would ve found it frustrating to have to share john’s time and attention with another person. it would have meant rushing through the process and really not getting as much out of the class.
rock on john!

There are a few options out there for classes to learn glassblowing, but when I stumbled upon John Mooney’s studio I was attracted to the hands-​on and small class size aspect. I took private sessions with John and was able to make several beautiful pieces!
His studio is very cool and filled with glass pieces — definitely very «Venice» with that quirky charm.
John himself is a great guy, easy to talk to, and extremely knowledgable about the art of blowing glass, his colleagues in the glass world, and all of the tools and components of glass blowing. From the start, he has you doing as much on your own as possible, making the pieces you create truly your own. There’s not a lot of «lecture» time, but rather, John is very hands on and talks the whole way through, instructing and informing his students about the process.
Can’t wait to go back and make some more beautiful pieces!