In the sunny, surf-loving state of California, where palm trees sway under vast blue skies and the smell of fresh oranges wafts through the air, there lies a group of cool kids with a unique hobby. They're not your average skateboard flipping, video game playing, taco truck chasing Californian youngsters. Nope, they are the Spectacular Glass Guild of California or as they prefer to be called, the Glass Gurus. The leader of the Gurus is a spunky, freckle-faced 10-year-old named Beanie, with a head full of wild curls that dance just as wildly as the sparks from her glassblowing torch. Beanie seemed ordinary until you noticed her mismatched socks - one striped, one polka-dotted - a silent proclamation of her fun, fiery spirit. The Glass Gurus aren't just artists, they're magicians. They take plain, boring lumps of glass and, with a puff of their torches and a sprinkle of their laughter, they turn them into glowing, dazzling masterpieces. They make dragons that seem to breathe fire, dolphins that appear to leap out of waves, and even glasses that make your lemonade taste like a California sunset. The weird thing? Their creativity seems to surge with the weirdest things. A pelican doing a belly flop? Boom! Inspiration for a wavy glass vase. A surfer wiping out? Pow! The perfect idea for a sloshy glass sculpture. The Glass Gurus, with Beanie at the helm, are the champions of turning the ordinary into extraordinary, making California even more exciting, one molten masterpiece at a time. They're proof that in the Golden State, even your hobby can be as cool as the Pacific Ocean!
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For over 50 years, Frontier Camp has been dedicated to making disciples of Jesus by sharing God’s Word amidst the beauty of His creation. Since our founding in 1969, we’ve been licensed by the Texas Department of State Health Services and are proudly accredited by the American Camping Association. We’re also a member of the Christian Camping and Conference Association. Our mission is to use Christian camping and outdoor recreation as a means to support local churches in fulfilling the Great Commission—evangelizing people of all ages and discipling believers toward deeper maturity in Christ. Frontier Camp offers a dual ministry: during the summer, we host a 10-week youth camp, and throughout the rest of the year, we serve as a retreat facility for churches and like-minded religious organizations. Whether through summer camps or retreats, our goal remains the same: to expose people to Christ and encourage their spiritual growth through His Word and by reflecting His character in everything we do. While we provide top-notch recreation and exciting programming, the heart of our camp is the spiritual impact, rooted in the truth of God’s inerrant Word.
The Bay Area Glass Institute (BAGI) is an educational resource for our local community, providing high-quality hands-on experiences in a variety of glass art techniques. BAGI offers instruction, events, and rentals in furnace glass, flameworking, fusing, casting, and cold working. Through its Scholarship Fund, Summer Camp, and Visiting Artist Series, BAGI provides people access to glass art education. To generate the funds they need to operate and re-invest in programs, BAGI earns revenue through classes and events, grants from the City of San Jose and other arts and science organizations, and generous contributions from annual patrons.
If you’re looking for something unique, inspiring, educational and a great time, look no further than Fire Glass Studio Canoga Park. Founded in 2012 by owner Michal Hasson, Fire Glass Studio has grown from just a few classes for close friends and family to a seven-day-a-week operation with custom-tailored offerings for private parties, corporate events, and special date-night events. Additionally, the studio provides ongoing curriculum at local schools. Fire Glass Studio has become one of the most popular offerings on Groupon, with offerings generally selling out within days. It also serves as the Open Lab for many of the San Fernando Valley’s top glass artists, providing them with the tools and expertise they need to create their artwork.