Custom Neon and Glassblowing

2 hour introduction course. Get familiar with the entire process of Neon making. 

While largely a demonstration, there is an opportunity for "hands on" try to bend some glass. 

Perfect for groups up to 10 people. 

Walk through the process of concept, design, pattern making, neon making, and making it light up!. Great information session for those who are curious, maybe want to check out something completely different, or maybe even people that think they would consider neon making as a career. 

Cost - $500 for groups. 

Sign up - anyone can do this. 

So, youve done the walk through, or you know something already, maybe enough to know that you want to try it. One weekend, of full on bending neon. Try your hand - see if you have the level of patience required to pursue a hobby, art work or possibly even a career. 

Cost - $ 595 per person - 1 person max

Sign up - anyone can do this. 

For people who really want to give it a go. Six weeks of serious instruction and practice. Designed for people who are generally NEW and want to start from scratch. 

Cost - 1500 USD /week includes accommodation

Apply - not for everyone.

You've taken some courses or have been doing it on your own for a while and want to up your game. I can help fix your technique, tweak your technique, help you with the things that make you crazy. Neon was one of the hardest things that I've ever learned. It was through being mentored that I didn't quit and didn't go crazy. Serious, this is not for the faint of heart. Get the instruction that will improve your quality and your sanity. 

1500 USD / week includes accommodation. 

Apply - not for everyone.

This course is outlined as follows:

Tubebending basics

Techinique

Body posture and movement

Lighting

Fires set up

use of small tools

Processing

Safety

Vacuum System basics

Bombarding

System setup for basic system

Patterns

Old School methods

Advanced

Advanced marking, 

missing bends, multi level pieces

Processing problem glass

Daron Rude. I was a production neon tubebender for almost 20 years straight. I've been back into it for about a year again. Neon was my passion and is becoming that again. I want to teach people to help bridge the gap created by offshore LED. There hasn't really been any training in twenty years. Consequently, all the good tubebenders now are old and retiring. 

I started my apprenticeship under Gordon Kilburn at Neon Products Ltd on Clark Drive in Vancouver BC, one of the oldest neon shops in the country. We moved to Richmond BC and set up a state of the art shop (at that time). Gord was a 40 year veteran when I started under him. I've never seen anyone come close to Gord for quality of product. Gord said I surpassed him - but I don't accept that. He was the true master of this trade. I learned to master my trade under his direction, set up a shop, and run a crew of tubebenders. I went on to work on my own in Vancouver in the neon wholesale business. I set up several shops and worked with many tubebenders. I'm fully qualified to provide the services and courses listed. 

An introduction to Glassblowing. Having taken many courses in the past on freeform glassblowing, it has been my 2 1/2 decade dream to have my own glass shop to practice in. 

The glasshop is up and running and I am able to provide basic instruction making solid shapes (paperweights) and basic blown shapes or vessels. Ornaments, basic glass, basic vase. 

At this time, I can provide weekend seminars. 

I am going to limit these courses to two people per session. 

Cost per session 395$ per person, including materials. $100 non refundable deposit to book these please. This price is for each person for 2 people, If you want single instruction - price will still be for 2 people. 

Summer Sessions are as follows.
Each day is 5 hours. 

July 13,14

July 20,21

July 27,28

Aug 3,4

Aug 10,11

Aug 17,18

Aug Aug 24,25

Contact Daron @ 780 689 1510 or rudedaron@gmail.com for questions or registration.