Stained Glass & Glass Art at Past Lives
A fully equipped glass art studio with 24/7 access for members.
Stained Glass Guild
& Glass Studio
The Stained Glass Guild at Past Lives Makerspace offers a hands-on studio for learning, practicing, and developing real glass art skills. Whether you're making your first piece or refining advanced techniques, this is a place to build your craft over time. Our Guild offers a space where learning, making, and mentorship come together in a real working environment.
The Glass Art Studio:
Space, Tools & Infrastructure
Our Stained Glass and Glass Art studio is equipped to support both beginners and experienced makers. We have 1200 sq. ft. of space for our tools, equipment and work stations. Everything you need to cut, grind and assemble, from pattern to final finished work.
Shop Highlights & Equipment:
5 Glass Grinders
Kilns
Diamond ring saw
Diamond band saw
Light boxes
Soldering stations
Dremel drill press
Assorted glass scoring and cutting tools
Adjustable standing desks
Large work table
2 Glass Torchwork stations
Access to solder rolls, cleaning supplies, flux, patina and frit
What You Can Do Here:
Stained Glass
Work directly with heat and steel to shape material into form. Learn foundational hammer techniques and build everything from simple objects to complex, sculptural pieces.
Hot Glass / Torchwork
Use MIG, TIG, and stick welding to cut, join, and assemble metal structures. Create functional builds, artistic work, or components for larger projects.
Soft Glass
Grind, shape, and finish blades using professional equipment. Explore Damascus techniques and develop the precision and consistency that knife making demands.
Build & Experiment
Take on custom projects, fabricate parts, and push ideas into physical form. Combine metal with other materials and explore new approaches as your skills grow.
Materials, Storage & Support
To make working easier and more efficient, the Metal shop includes:
An in-house store with access to various types of metal materials
Private studio and storage spaces available for rent
A loading dock to receive materials
Plus, we offer personalized assistance and expert guidance, as well as equipment training.
In the Studio:
What Members Make
Artists of all experience levels create incredible things with metal at Past Lives!
Pendants and Jewelry
Stained Glass Panels
Commissioned pieces, for clients
Check out the Gallery space at Past Lives to see — and maybe purchase! — some of the incredible output from our Metalworkers Guild.
Aound the Shop
(Members in Action)
Classes & Plugging In
Take an orientation:
Get quickly up-to-speed on the equipment and tools available to you.
Take a class:
A great entry point for new members to learn new things or deepen their skills. Try a woodworking class — Past Lives members get 10% off. Find a Woodworking Class in Portland.
Join Guild meetings and events:
Connect with fellow makers and help shape the direction of our studio!
Show and Sell Your Work
Show and sell your woodworking projects in the Past Lives Gallery — including S.E. Portland First Friday Art Walks and our annual Holiday Bizarre marketplace.
Keep 100% of the proceeds
Photograph your work in our photo station
Submit work made at Past Lives for posting on our Instagram (12k followers and counting)
Produce work for paid commissions
Build a Glass Art business, with Past Lives as your studio.
One Membership
Gives You 24/7 Access
to Everything at Past Lives
Our Makerspace inspires an entire creative ecosystem. 250+ members have access to tools, expertise, and collaborations across other Past Lives Guilds, including:
Metalworking
Ceramics
Leatherworking
Technology
Plus, 27,000 square feet of shops, a gallery and event space, a shared kitchen and communal area, a garden/hangout area, and other cool spaces.
Get Started
If you’ve been wanting to try woodworking—or to take your existing skills to new heights —booking a tour is where you start.