Traveling Glassblowing Instructor - Ikonic Glass
WHO WE ARE
Ikonic Glass is a traveling glassblowing company that brings live, hands-on lampworking workshops to festivals, markets, and events across the country. We teach beginner-level borosilicate glassblowing to the public โ real workshops, real fire, real people experiencing glass for the first time.
We are a small but growing team of artists, teachers, performers, and operators building meaningful public experiences through live events. We are not a pipe company. We are not a bro crew. We care deeply about safety, professionalism, showmanship, and the 20-minute experience we create for every student who steps up to the torch โ or stops to watch.
ABOUT THIS ROLE
As a Traveling Glassblowing Instructor with Ikonic Glass, you will lead live torch-based workshops for small groups at fairs and events across the country. You will guide students through their first experience with glass in a fast-paced, highly public environment that combines teaching, performance, hospitality, and operational teamwork.
This role is repetitive by design. You will teach the same beginner-level class up to 24 times per day while maintaining strong energy, professionalism, and guest focus from the first class to the last.
You should expect:
- ย Long days on your feet in outdoor environmentsย
- ย Frequent interaction with the publicย
- ย Repetitive teaching using a structured curriculumย
- ย Travel ranging from single weekends to multi-week runsย
- ย Physical setup and teardown work, including lifting 40+ lbsย
- ย A team-oriented environment where reliability and consistency matterย
If that sounds like your kind of work, keep reading.
WHAT YOUโLL DO
- ย Teach beginner-level borosilicate glassblowing using our structured curriculumย
- ย Lead safety orientations before each classย
- ย Create a safe, encouraging, and memorable experience for every studentย
- ย Perform public demonstrations and engage with crowds throughout the eventย
- ย Set up and break down the mobile workshop booth and equipmentย
- ย Assemble, inspect, and safely operate propane/oxygen systems and torch equipmentย
- ย Maintain a clean, organized, and professional workspaceย
- ย Coordinate class flow and readiness with front-end staffย
- ย Package and organize completed student pieces for pickupย
- ย Assist with check-in, checkout, POS responsibilities, and guest support throughout the eventย
- ย Track tools, equipment, and consumables using our inventory systemย
- ย Travel to events across the U.S. as scheduledย
WHAT MAKES SOMEONE GREAT HERE
Desired Experience
- ย Minimum 2 years of borosilicate flameworking experienceย
- ย Comfortable working with torch systems, propane/oxygen equipment, and PPEย
- ย Prior teaching, instructional, hospitality, or public-facing experience preferredย
- ย Event, festival, restaurant, or high-volume service experience is a strong plusย
The Traits That Matter Most
- ย Reliable โ you show up on time and follow throughย
- ย Coachable โ you can follow systems and take direction wellย
- ย Guest-focused โ you bring patience, warmth, and professionalism to every interactionย
- ย Emotionally steady โ you stay composed under pressure and high volumeย
- ย Team-oriented โ you contribute to the group, not just your own performanceย
- ย Engaging and high-energy โ you communicate clearly and connect with people quicklyย
- ย Adaptable โ you handle changing conditions and unexpected problems calmlyย
- ย Safety-serious โ you do not cut corners with fire, tanks, or safety proceduresย
Restaurant and line-cook experience translates well to this role. If you have thrived in loud, fast-paced, repetitive, team-based environments, you may already have many of the skills this job requires.
THIS ROLE IS PROBABLY NOT FOR YOU IF
- ย You are looking for a quiet studio environment or significant creative autonomyย
- ย You dislike repetitive teaching or structured curriculumย
- ย You are uncomfortable speaking and performing in front of crowdsย
- ย You are not open to extended travel or time away from homeย
- ย You prefer highly flexible schedules or working independentlyย
- ย You struggle in physically demanding, fast-paced environmentsย
COMPENSATION & BENEFITS
- ย $25/hour for instruction during eventsย
- ย Reduced rate for training, onboarding, setup, and teardownย
- ย Lodging provided during travel (hotel, Airbnb, or camping, depending on the event)ย
- ย Flight stipend offered when neededย
- ย All required tools, safety equipment, and teaching materials providedย
- ย OSHA and safety training included during onboardingย
- ย Advancement opportunities as the company growsย
EMPLOYMENT DETAILS
- ย Seasonal W2 position with potential for continued or expanded work based on performanceย
- ย Onboarding begins: (Date)ย
- ย Background check requiredย
- ย OSHA training required during onboardingย
- ย Must be able to regularly lift and carry 40+ lbsย
- ย Role involves sustained outdoor physical activity in varying weather conditionsย
Tell us about your torch experience, teaching or public-facing background, availability, and what draws you to this opportunity.
We read every application carefully and respond to every candidate we move forward with.
We are not just hiring workers. We are building a team.