REVIEW · YELLOWKNIFE
Yellowknife: Glass Etching Workshop
Book on GetYourGuide →Operated by Old Town Glassworks · Bookable on GetYourGuide
Make something beautiful from recycled glass.
In Yellowknife, this 2-hour glass etching workshop at Old Town Glassworks mixes hands-on making with a quick look at how the studio’s space and organization came to be. You’ll start with context, then watch glasswork in action, and finish with your own stenciled design on a takeaway piece of OTG recycled glass.
I like the step-by-step pace and the friendly feel. The group is kept small (max 8 people), and your instructor, Matthew (spelled Matheu in one review), keeps things clear and calm as you learn cutting, grinding, and polishing techniques. One consideration: this is real glasswork, so closed-toe shoes and comfortable clothes are a must, and it’s not designed for kids under 9.
In This Review
- Yellowknife Glass Etching Workshop at Old Town Glassworks: Key Reasons It Works
- First Stop: The Studio History That Gives Your Glasswork Meaning
- Watching Glass Get Cut, Ground, and Polished (Before You Start)
- Stenciling Your Design: Where the Workshop Turns Personal
- The Take-Home Surprise: OTG Recycled Glassware With Your Mark on It
- Price and Value: Is $80 for Two Hours Reasonable?
- Who Should Book This Workshop in Yellowknife (And Who Might Skip It)
- A Simple Plan Before You Go: Make the Most of Your 2 Hours
- Should You Book the Yellowknife Glass Etching Workshop?
- FAQ
- How long is the Yellowknife glass etching workshop?
- What does the workshop cost?
- How many people are in the group?
- Is the workshop taught in English?
- What can I take home at the end?
- Do I need to bring anything?
- Is the workshop suitable for children?
- Is there free cancellation?
- Can I reserve without paying right away?
Yellowknife Glass Etching Workshop at Old Town Glassworks: Key Reasons It Works
- A real, guided craft session in a cozy studio so you can focus instead of rushing through a checklist.
- Bottle-to-glass demonstration first, showing the cutting, grinding, and polishing steps before you touch your own piece.
- Stenciling your own design with instructor help, so the souvenir feels personal instead of generic.
- OTG recycled glassware included in the price, which makes the $80 feel more like value than just a class fee.
- A patient instructor vibe from Matthew and the team, which matters a lot when you’re doing something new with your hands.
First Stop: The Studio History That Gives Your Glasswork Meaning
The session kicks off with a brief history of the space and the organization behind Old Town Glassworks. I’m a sucker for context, and this part does something practical: it frames the workshop as more than a quick souvenir factory. You learn how this studio thinks about making, recycling, and community effort in Yellowknife and the Northwest Territories.
For me, that history changes how I approach the craft. Instead of treating it as a hands-only activity, I’m paying attention to the choices that make glass recycling feel intentional. It also helps you relax. When you understand why the materials and process matter, you’re less likely to feel rushed.
You can also read our reviews of more tours and experiences in Yellowknife.
Watching Glass Get Cut, Ground, and Polished (Before You Start)
Next, you watch a demonstration of glass bottle cutting, grinding, and polishing. This is a big deal in a short workshop, because it sets expectations for what you’ll be doing later. You get to see how the glass changes at each stage, from raw bottle material to something smoothed and ready for design work.
Even if you’re not a technical person, you’ll pick up useful cues. You can see how much care the process takes, and you learn the rhythm of the work: slow, controlled movements, and constant attention to the surface. It’s also a chance to figure out what you want your design to look like once it’s actually on glass.
If you’re the type who hates starting without clarity, you’ll appreciate this demo-first approach. It’s a simple way to get your bearings fast.
Stenciling Your Design: Where the Workshop Turns Personal
After the demo, you stencil your own design on a piece of glassware with help from the instructor. This is the heart of the experience because it’s where the souvenir stops being something you buy and becomes something you made.
Here’s what I think makes this part work: the workshop doesn’t just hand you a stencil and wish you luck. The instructor guides you through the process, and the small-group size helps. With up to 8 participants, it’s easier to get quick help when you’re figuring out alignment, placement, and the basic steps of making the design transfer properly.
A good way to think about your design ahead of time: pick something that will still read well after it’s applied to glass. You don’t need to be an artist. In fact, I’d plan for a clean, bold idea rather than a super busy one. You’ve only got about two hours total, so you’ll enjoy it more if your plan is straightforward.
The Take-Home Surprise: OTG Recycled Glassware With Your Mark on It
By the end, you take home your own personalized glassware made from OTG recycled glassware. This is the part that makes the experience worth doing even if you’re not planning to become a glass artist. The workshop includes one takeaway piece, which means your money turns into something you can actually use or display back at your lodging.
I also like that it’s not just a generic craft object. Your design is yours. That matters when you’re traveling. Most souvenirs are bought, not made. Here, you get to say you watched it happen, learned the steps, and then applied your own stencil design under guidance.
Practical tip: treat your finished piece carefully when transporting it back to your room. You’ll want to wrap it safely so the design stays crisp and the glass doesn’t get knocked around. The workshop doesn’t mention special packaging details, so assume you’ll need to protect it like any fragile glass item.
Price and Value: Is $80 for Two Hours Reasonable?
The price is $80 per person for a 2-hour workshop. On paper, it can sound like a craft class might be overpriced. In practice, this one feels more balanced because several things are included.
What you get bundled in:
- The studio and organization history briefing
- A demonstration of bottle cutting, grinding, and polishing
- Instruction for stenciling your personal design
- One piece of OTG recycled glassware to take home
That means you’re not paying only for the act of learning. You’re paying for guided making plus a finished souvenir included in the cost. For many people, that’s what turns a workshop from a “nice to try” into a “yes, I’m glad I did it.”
Also, the small group size (max 8) matters. Smaller groups usually mean you get more attention when you’re learning hands-on steps. If you’ve ever taken a class where you’re basically on your own, you’ll appreciate that this one stays capped.
Who Should Book This Workshop in Yellowknife (And Who Might Skip It)
This is a strong fit if you want:
- A creative activity that’s not just sightseeing
- A hands-on souvenir that feels meaningful
- A calm, guided class with a patient instructor
- A break from packed days (especially if you’re alternating major plans with quieter activities)
It’s also a great choice if you care about recycling and local craft process. The workshop includes not only the making steps, but also an explanation of the space and organization, plus what you learn from the studio approach to recycled materials. In other words, you’re not just doing something with glass; you’re learning why this studio exists.
It may be less ideal if:
- You’re hoping for a high-speed activity with constant movement for the full session. This is more focused and careful than frantic.
- You’re traveling with children under 9, since it’s not suitable for that age group.
- You dislike any hands-on work that involves glass and require careful footwear. You’ll be in closed-toe shoes, comfortable clothes, and you should expect a craft setting.
A Simple Plan Before You Go: Make the Most of Your 2 Hours
You don’t need to show up with a complicated plan. You do want to arrive ready to focus.
What to bring:
- Comfortable clothes
- Closed-toe shoes
A smart mindset: treat it like a small, friendly class. You’ll learn the steps through the demo, then you’ll apply them with instructor help. Because the group is small, you’ll get more of that “I can ask a question” energy instead of waiting for attention.
If you’re torn between multiple activities in Yellowknife, this one is a dependable “doable even on a busy day” plan. Two hours goes quickly, and you’ll leave with something you made.
Should You Book the Yellowknife Glass Etching Workshop?
If you like the idea of leaving Yellowknife with a personalized, homemade glass souvenir, this is an easy recommendation. The biggest strengths are practical: the small-group size, the clear demo-before-making flow, and the welcoming, patient teaching style from Matthew and the Old Town Glassworks team. Add in that you take home OTG recycled glassware included in the price, and the $80 feels like you’re buying a real experience, not just a store-bought item.
Book it if you want a creative break, a low-stress lesson, and a meaningful takeaway that actually reflects your time in the North.
FAQ
How long is the Yellowknife glass etching workshop?
It lasts 2 hours.
What does the workshop cost?
The price is $80 per person.
How many people are in the group?
The group is small, limited to 8 participants.
Is the workshop taught in English?
Yes, the instructor teaches in English.
What can I take home at the end?
You’ll take home one piece of OTG recycled glassware with your personalized design.
Do I need to bring anything?
You should bring comfortable clothes and closed-toe shoes.
Is the workshop suitable for children?
It is not suitable for children under 9 years old.
Is there free cancellation?
Yes, you can cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund.
Can I reserve without paying right away?
Yes, you can reserve now and pay later, keeping your travel plans flexible.
If you tell me your travel month and whether you’re combining this with aurora plans or day tours, I can suggest an ideal timing strategy too.
