Kokomo Opalescent Glass

An institution! Who doesn't love a tour with a bit of history? This was something we found to do on a road trip, and we were glad to score spots on a tour with one day's notice. The tour was about an hour, took us through various buildings, and felt right in the heart of the glass blowing business without being unsafe. I wish they had more/different things in their shop. I found one singular item I liked, and I did purchase it, but I would have been happy to invest in more if there was a broader array.

If you are a fan of taking tours that teach you something, then take this tour. If you are a fan of seeing artists creating something right in front of you, spend the $6 and take this tour.Known primarily for preparing sheets of glass in over 20,000 varieties of color and texture combinations, this working factory features a gift shop where you can buy the artisan crafted pieces. It also has a daily tour at 10 a.m. during the week. (Note that if you want a private tour, you can call and make special arrangements as a group of teenagers from Germany were doing while in town.) It is rare to have the opportunity to get a behind the scenes look at the common items we see everyday be created. Too often, some of the talent required in making the art pieces are left to individual artists. But here, nearly every employee is involved in the making of either the sheet glass (used for stained glass, or cut and sold to artists as a base material to work with) or the custom glass that make dishes, glasses, paper weights, and now, even counter tops.The tour lasts a bit over an hour depending upon the number of questions the group asks. It could probably go a bit faster if everyone wasn't so busy filming the different processing with the phones. So, just be patient and take some yourself. It really is amazing to see something that started out at least 70% sand (along with recycled glass and other chemicals for color) turn into beautiful pieces of art or service material. I was most surprised at how quickly the molten glass changes in color once removed from the furnace. Be aware that the buildings that you walk through are over 100 years old and the surfaces are both dusty, somewhat uneven, and in some areas, covered with broken glass chips. So be careful. On my visit in the spring, there was plenty of fresh air blowing through and the temperatures inside were pleasant. But you can feel the heat off the furnace (I believe it's 2400 F) even from a distance.Even the sheet making portion of the tour which relies on machines for the rolling and texturing of the glass is amazing to watch. Employees use long handled scoops to transfer about a gallon of molten glass to the rolling station. They have to flip the glass as they walk to keep it from solidifying and sticking inside the scoops, so sometimes, some of the glass spills out. Obviously, they have to watch how close they carry it to themselves and the guy at the rolling station. They also have to watch where they step!The tour also shows the glass blowing and rolling artists. What you see there and in the cold glass section are artists making items that have been ordered. So, some tours may see more elaborate craftsmanship than on other days...just a luck of the draw.I hope that the new owners can get the opportunity to make the shop better maintained. Old barrels hold the scraps of leftover colors that can be reused, but honestly, aren't that appealing to look at. The inventory of the place is enormous and I can only wonder if they have an automated system to help them keep track. Not sure if it would ever pay for itself, but I can't imagine how to keep track of it all.As Kokomo undergoes a revival in the downtown area (especially along the waterfront), it is good to see the city embrace its past and feature this special business. It is one of just a few remaining glass factories in the USA.Review #2473

Made the trip here on a visit to Kokomo and we are so glad we did. It's not far from the mall and it was easy to find but the parking lot is in need of attention and gets packed as the time gets closer to the tour. On the day we went there were two bus loads of high school kids coming for a tour. We purchased a groupon for the one hour tour that is offered Monday thru Friday at 10 am only. Dress accordingly to the outside weather as the tour isn't climate controlled. So if it's -10 outside it's that same temp on the tour. Same as if it's 95 degrees outside it's the same on the tour. If your sensitive to cold i suggest going on a warm day or wear layers with a long coat hat gloves and scarf. Also make sure you have warm solesShoes on. The tour won't disappoint you. My kids and I loved it. It's very interesting with all the details in the building and even better to actually watch them make sheets of glass or glass blow objects. The history of the building is intriguing and the tour guide was extremely knowledgeable. She knew every date and tidbit about the place. She was also a graphic designer for the company and did the tours as needed. She did a great job. After it was done you were able to pick out a glass marble and take a look around the gift shop. I recommend going. It will be a great adventure.

Super cool place if you are looking for replacement glass, or a really special glass for a project of some kind. I was most impressed with their new countertop treatment--they encase a sheet of colored glass in a resin or a lucite or something like that (can't recall what he said). Evidently, they offer tours, and there is just beautiful, colorful glass galore. It's a little rustic, and I'm shocked that even people who worked there had on flip flops (I mean, shards of glass, hello?) The guy we spoke to there was very nice and clearly knew his stuff. Most intriguing to think that this place has been here doing the same thing for well over 100 years. Love that. Looked like they might offer some sort of class or demonstration with glass beads? They do look like they could be a bit better organized overall --I mean to leverage all the assets they have. A quirky fun little stop/ discovery.

What a pleasant surprise!I bought a $6 Groupon for a tour at the 150-year-old Kokomo Opalescent Glass Factory. Now I've been there three times. I plan to go again soon.Note that this is a true factory setting -- loud and a little dangerous. Therefore, it's not recommended for small children, the wheelchair bound, or the elderly who might not be able to safely navigate the often uneven floors. The floors are covered with shiny, treacherous shards of colored glass that glisten in the scant light that emanates from the outside and the ovens. It's gorgeous, but no sandals, please! And if you're averse to dirt... this isn't your place either. I'm not sure they've swept even once in their 150 year history. (For me, this only added to the ambiance!)Warnings aside, KOG is definitely one of Indiana's hidden gems. The tour begins in the gift shop where you get the basics of safety, a bit of history, and an introduction to your affable tour guide. Then you progress to the glass foundry where you can spend up to a half hour watching molten glass being mixed, carried, poured, extruded and stored for gradual cooling. All along the way, your tour guide is giving you a great overview of the process, a bit of glass making history, and telling fanciful tales of the characters who have worked at KOG over the years.After the foundry tour, the group progresses to the glass blowing studio where you can often watch Smithsonian-lauded glass artists make bowls and plates and rondels. (Your guide will explain what those are.)Next, you're on to watch the foundry workers cut huge panels of recently-poured stained glass to size for special orders. You pass throught the Rainbow Room that holds an eye-dazzling array of vibrant glass sheets -- all 8ft high. Then the group proceeds to the packaging and shipping area that's almost as fascinating as the foundry.The tour ends in the studio where you can watch lampwork artists make beads and stained glass artists make windows. You can also collect and purchase (at a very reasonable price) scrap glass for your own art projects.In the studio, you can also get tips and tricks on how to cut glass. At the end of the tour, if you choose to purchase anything in the gift shop, they credit you up to $5 per person (the original cost of the tour). Also, you will receive a small sample of colored glass (your choice) with a card that has a brief history of the business.This is a must see!

My husband and I are just starting on our stained glass making journey. If you are in Kokomo or driving through you will like to go on a tour! It's interesting to see how they produce all the interesting textures and colors!! I always wish the store was more interesting, but I totally recommend calling and taking a tour!!

The Kokomo Opalescent Glass factory is one of the oldest in the country and still making glass the way they did in the 1800's. If you have any interest in art glass, or are curious about glass making it is definitely worth a visit! They have a gift shop that has some nice hand blown glass and stained glass items. They mainly manufacture sheet glass (used for stained glass) and other supplies. Their sheet glass gets used all over the world, and they used to be a main supplier for Tiffany. If you have a chance to call ahead and see if you can join a tour, it is so interesting! It felt like going back in time. They have a massive furnace with twelve colors of glass melting all at once. There are guys carrying the molten glass in huge metal ladles to a metal table, where two colors are mixed together by hand, then fed through metal rollers to make thin colored glass sheets. If you time it right you might get to see the glass blowers at work as well! It is pretty cool to see these processes that haven't changed much in hundreds of years!

I ordered their sheet glass last month from Hong Kong, but the real products' colour totally difference to the website photos. I understand there are variation between photos and real product. But actually I order the hot pink, the outcome is white background with small brown pattern. Lavender, become deep blue! Asking why, no response. They are really dishonest!!!!

We stopped here for a tour on a recent road trip between Lafayette and Fort Wayne. The tour was awesome and extensive. In addition to seeing staff taking glass out of the hot furnace and learning about the furnace and glass making process, we also got to watch their glass blowers working with the glass and saw a member of their staff making glass beads. The factory has an interesting history and the staff seem truly passionate about the company and their work. My 9 and 13 year children, myself, and my 66 year old mom all enjoyed it. This is a good tour for well behaved older children but I would not recommend it for young or super active children. The tour took over an hour and only $5 for adults and $2 for students, which you can use towards any purchase over $25. It is only offered once a day though and you have to wear closed toe and closed healed shoes.

We own a stained glass studio in Northern California and were desperate to find several rondel pieces in specific sizes and colors. After we had some calls go unanswered, Judy from the sheet glass department spoke to us and became very involved in helping us. She personally checked the available stock and was unfailingly helpful and pleasant as she worked to get us as close to what we needed as possible. She answered our calls, emails and endless questions promptly and courteously and was terrific to work with. She was truly our savior on this project!