Callahan’s Firehouse

When we’re in Langley we always stop by to see what new glassworks they have. Beautifully made glass bowls and other artwork is on display, along with seasonal pieces. It’s a favorite for our out of town guests, and is especially fun when the crew is actively blowing or creating glass (during the day, several times a week). For the particularly brave, there’s an opportunity to pay to create your own treasures.

We had a little «sister/​niece family reunion» in Kirkland, WA and our first day there we took the ferry to Langley for a glass blowing class. What fun! There were eight of us so my sister booked two hours with Callahan and crew. We were given the choice of a bowl, a tumbler, a paperweight or a sea float to make. We did everything except the paperweight. They did a great job making sure we were safe — like a previous reviewer stated they marked off the floor using chalk to show where we were to stand. I apologize I can not remember the person’s name who helped us but he did the initial blowing and then we were able to do some. My niece was concerned about the tube we blew into — germs — but they had a straw that they inserted into the tube and replaced it after every person. They shipped our finished pieces to us — we received them about 1 week after our visit. This way no worries about breaking them while traveling. I can’t say enough about how much fun we had — if you are ever in Langley this is a definite stop!

I had a fun time making my glass paperweight. You go in, pick your project (bowl, tumbler, paperweight, or sea float), pick your colors, and are guided through the process of making your craft. Due to the ridiculously high temperatures and propensity to seriously injure with a mistaken sear, the owner/​proprietor is careful to do all the dangerous steps himself. The floor is also carefully chalked to indicate where the clumsy customer should stand at any given step.
My husband and friends all chose to make the most practical option — the bowl whereas I went the frivolous route with the paperweight (I liked the bubbles and the weapon-​like heft). The customer actually gets to blow the glass with all options besides the paperweight, which was kind of cool.
We didn’t know that the pieces needed to cool overnight, so we weren’t able to take our artwork back with us. Instead, they mail the pieces to out-​of-​town customers.

This place was really neat. It was in the old Langley Firehouse. Half of the main space is set up as a storefront, while the other is where the actual firing of the glass takes place. My friends and I had just had a lunch at the Braeburn Restaurant (which was great!), and we had admired the cool hand blown glasses that they used for waters. We were thrilled to realize that this was where they made them!
It was really fun to watch the artisans actually making a pitcher in front of us, and we each ended up buying a glass or two (or a set of 8, in one case!). They also will ship them for a pretty nominal fee, and then you don’t end up having to pay sales tax. The colors were unique, and I really love the two that I bought. They were also sturdy enough that I felt totally comfortable putting them in my suitcase just wrapped in a piece of bubble wrap – they made it home safely. There were lots of other glass objects for purchase – vases, flowers, jewelry, ornaments, bowls. It would make for a really unique gift, especially as a reminder of Whidbey.
They advertised classes where you could make your own glass, bowl, ornament, etc. – I think all were priced at $ 65. It seems like it would be really fun!

Great studio for blown glass. In the fall you can take a class to make your own pumpkin. The instruction class is short (½ hour) but a lot of fun and very interesting and unique experience.

Art pieces, jewelry, home goods — mostly from blown glass. Or take a lesson one-​on-​one and blow your own piece. There is also an event space you can rent for up to 100 people in back. The glass pumpkins are beautiful.

This place may excel in their artistic glass designs, but it is all lost on poor customer service. My wife selected three items for purchase totaling $ 75. We approached the cashier desk and the clerk behind the desk made absolute minimal eye contact with us all while talking loudly about the pricing of various items with another store clerk in the distance as if we weren’t there. He broke his conversation only long enough to say «$ 75 Sir» (only two words) and then continued his conversation with the other clerk while mindlessly finishing our transaction. Not even a goodbye or thank you as we left.
We purchased meals and products at several of the local stores in Langley, WA for many $$ less and were greeted when we arrived and thanked for our business when we left. This type of simple customer courtesy was completely lost on the two clerks at Callahan Firehouse.
Would not shop there again.