Ghost Pepper Glass is a public glassblowing studio in Austin, Texas. As the only glassblowing studio of its kind in the Austin area, we seek to create an environment that caters to both the most skilled glass artisan while inviting the most novice enthusiast. Ghost Pepper Glass is, first and foremost, a space for artists and craftspeople to dream big and work together to create that which can only be made by hand. We offer classes for absolute beginners, equipment rental for experienced professionals, a retail space for gift givers, and everything in between. If nothing else, we welcome you to stop in, say “hello” and watch us play with molten glass for a bit–but we cannot promise you won’t get hooked!
Shara Funari – Education Coordinator – www.sharafunariGlass.com
Shara is a founding member of GPG and a Texas native, coming up through the San Antonio glass scene via a true grit, production studio apprenticeship. Her work represents her wide range of skill and appreciation for the material, often focusing on complex techniques for creating patterns and textures while showcasing the natural and unique qualities of glass. Her work stands apart due to adventurous color combinations, often embracing the chemical reactions that can happen when mixing certain glasses or exposing color to low-oxygen environments in order to bring a metallic shine to the surface. Shara has also worked extensively on utilizing recycled and repurposed glass to create beautiful light fixtures and tableware which are available in limited sets.
Keith Moy – Instructor/Studio tech
Keith had a background in industrial design before finding his passion for glass and it shines through with his modern design aesthetic. His glassmaking style plays to the strengths of the material while showcasing technical prowess through clean, delicate forms. Moy’s use of color, while simplistic at first glance, focuses on the nuances of saturation, density, texture and the interplay between color and form that can come from specific heating patterns and stretching of the material. This understated and elegant approach not only pays homage to the glass but compliments any home’s decor.
Grisha began his exploration of glass in 2014 at The Ohio State University. Since then he has worked with this material in various forms ranging from stained glass to blown glass to quartz manufacturing. In 2016, his focus turned to borosilicate glass (flameworking), creating functional art using a high-temp torch (including pipes, drinking vessels and jewelry), ultimately building a home studio. Despite his success working in borosilicate glass, Grisha ultimately found he missed working collaboratively and began working part time for GPG in 2019 on our production team. In 2024, he joined the team full-time as an instructor of our blown glass classes and is also helping to bring flameworking to GPG in the near future!
Katie Plunkard – Owner/Instructor – www.katieplunkard.com
Katie has been blowing glass since 2005 but she became fascinated with glass much earlier when she saw glass artisans working on the island of Malta at the age of 11. After finding a public glassmaking studio years later in her home town of Chicago, she tried her hand at making a cup and was instantly hooked. With a background in both sculptural work and functional tableware, Katie enjoys blurring the lines between decorative art and functional craft while also trying to imitate patterns found in textile work wherever possible.
Shop Dogs/Human Resources (And their Favorite Snacks)
Let’s be honest, these guys really run the show. If you are good at giving pats and belly rubs, you’ll do just fine in our shop. If you’re afraid of dogs, fear not! We can absolutely keep this K-9 team entertained in another part of the shop, should you want to come in anyway.