The Hattiesburg, Mississippi Glass Studio Where You Can Watch Molten Glass Take Shape
Down a quiet country road in Mississippi, past rows of evergreen trees and a pen of curious goats, sits a workshop that glows like a sunset. Inside, glowing blobs of liquid glass stretch, spin, and turn into ornaments, flowers, and bowls right before your eyes.
Kids lean in close, parents grab their phones, and everyone leaves with something they helped make by hand. For families hunting for a hands-on outing that feels truly different, this little farm studio delivers a memory you can actually hold.
A Glassblowing Studio on a Christmas Tree Farm
Tucked onto the grounds of Thomley’s Christmas Tree Farm at 50 Hegwood Rd in Hattiesburg, Mohawk Steel & Glass is a working hot glass studio where visitors can watch and even help shape molten glass. It is known as the only hot glassblowing studio in Mississippi, which makes it a rare stop for families anywhere in the state.
Picture a farm setting first, then add roaring furnaces. That unusual mix is what greets you when you pull in.
Evergreens line the property, farm animals wander nearby, and inside the studio, artists turn glowing glass into finished pieces.
For parents, the appeal is simple. Kids do not just look at art behind a rope here.
They step up to the furnace with a trained glassblower beside them and help create an ornament, a flower, a bowl, a paperweight, a vase, a pumpkin, or a cup.
The studio also includes a gallery of pre-made glass art and a gift shop, so even family members who would rather watch than work have plenty to explore. Hattiesburg sits in the Pine Belt of south Mississippi, making the studio an easy add-on to a weekend trip through the region.
It pairs well with a bike ride, a picnic, or a holiday tree hunt.
Watching Molten Glass Come Alive
Glowing orange and soft as honey, molten glass behaves unlike anything most kids have ever seen. It droops, stretches, and glows as the glassblower turns the pipe, and the color slowly shifts as it cools.
Visitors often describe the whole transformation as mesmerizing.
Even before anyone in your group takes a turn, simply watching is a show. The artists move between the furnace and the workbench with practiced rhythm.
A shapeless lump becomes a rounded bulb, then a recognizable shape, all within minutes.
Younger children usually lock in on the color changes. Older kids tend to notice the tools and the teamwork between instructors.
Parents, meanwhile, often find themselves just as fascinated as the little ones, which is always a nice surprise on a family outing.
Staff members explain the steps as they go, so the demonstration does not feel like a silent performance. Guests have mentioned that instructors answer a wide range of questions with ease.
If your child wants to know why the glass glows or how the colors get added, ask.
For families who prefer to observe rather than participate, this part alone delivers plenty of wonder. It is real art happening live, a few feet away.
Hands-On Ornaments Kids Help Create
Ornament making is the signature experience here, and it is easy to see why. Families pick their colors, then work step by step with a glassblower to shape a round ornament that will hang on the tree for years.
Many households have turned this into a yearly holiday tradition.
Here is the part kids love most: they actually get to help. The process is guided closely, so even small hands can participate safely.
Visitors have shared that children as young as seven, plus groups of teenagers, stayed engaged the whole time.
One fun detail comes up often among guests. Many families end up making extra ornaments after the first one, because once kids see their creation, they want one for grandma, a teacher, or a sibling.
Plan a little wiggle room in your budget for that.
Each finished piece is one of a kind, with swirls of color that never repeat exactly. Kids get to say they made it themselves, which beats any store-bought decoration.
Some families have mentioned wishing they had started the tradition years earlier.
Since the studio sits on a Christmas tree farm, the ornament session fits naturally into a holiday season outing in south Mississippi.
Bowls, Vases, Flowers and Other Creations
Ornaments get the spotlight, yet the menu of projects goes well beyond the holidays. Visitors can make flowers, bowls, paperweights, vases, pumpkins, or cups.
That variety means a spring or fall visit feels just as rewarding as a December trip.
Choosing a project can be part of the fun. Staff members help guests decide what to make and offer guidance on colors, which takes the pressure off indecisive kids.
Some groups pick matching items, while others mix things up so everyone goes home with something different.
Families have described making Easter gifts during spring sessions, and one visiting group mentioned a parent crafting a vase while the rest of the family made flowers. A mother and daughter shared that they made an ornament and then a bowl in the same visit.
Combinations like these give everyone a role.
Visitors who booked an hour-long class reported making three items in that time. That pace keeps restless kids moving without rushing the process.
For birthdays, Mother’s Day, or teacher gifts, a handmade glass piece is a thoughtful present that children can proudly say they shaped themselves. Pumpkins make especially charming fall decorations.
The Gallery and Gift Shop
After the heat of the furnace, the gallery offers a calmer space to wander. Shelves hold pre-made glass art created by the studio’s artists, with pieces ranging from sculptures to jewelry.
It is a good place to slow down while your own creations finish cooling.
Kids who just learned how glass gets shaped tend to look at the gallery differently. Suddenly they notice the swirls, the layers of color, and the careful shapes.
That new appreciation is one of the quieter benefits of the visit.
Shopping for gifts? The farm’s gift shop and gallery make it simple to pick up a unique present for relatives who could not come along.
Visitors have praised the selection of one-of-a-kind handcrafted pieces.
Families with younger children should keep a gentle hand on little ones in this area, since glass art is fragile by nature. A quick chat before going in about looking with eyes rather than fingers can save some worry.
Grandparents often enjoy this section most, browsing while kids recount every step of their furnace adventure. It rounds out the visit nicely, giving everyone a moment to admire finished work before heading back outside to the farm.
Goats, Evergreens and Farm Charm
Goats steal the show for plenty of young visitors. Thomley’s Christmas Tree Farm has farm animals on the property, and children often find them just as captivating as the glass itself.
Guests have even suggested stopping by to say hello to the goats before or after a session.
Rows of Christmas trees frame the studio, giving the whole property a peaceful, open feel. Visitors have described it as a beautiful farm, a welcome break from screens and crowded attractions.
There is room for kids to breathe and look around.
The farm setting also helps with pacing. If a child gets antsy waiting for their turn at the furnace, a short walk to see the animals can reset the mood.
Parents appreciate having that built-in breather.
During the holiday season, the combination of tree farm and ornament studio feels especially festive. Families can make a day of it, shaping an ornament and soaking in the seasonal scenery together.
The farm has also hosted seasonal events, including a Hot Glass Fall Festival featuring glassblowing demonstrations, live music, and family activities. Keep an eye on the studio’s website for news about future gatherings.
Who Will Love the Experience
Families top the list, yet the guest mix here is broader than you might expect. Couples have booked sessions for date nights, mothers and daughters have made weekend memories, and grandparents have brought grandkids along for something new.
The studio welcomes individual visitors too.
School groups have found it a strong field trip option, blending art and science in one stop. Homeschooling families might consider it for the same reason.
Seeing heat transform a material is a lesson that sticks.
Children of many ages can take part. Visitors have mentioned kids around seven, twelve, and thirteen all enjoying their sessions.
Teens who usually roll their eyes at family outings often warm up once they get near the furnace.
Consider the heat before you go, though. The ovens stay on at very high temperatures, so the studio can get quite warm.
Kids who struggle in hot spaces may need breaks, and dressing in light layers helps.
Birthday celebrations work well here too. One family chose a session as a belated birthday gift, and handmade keepsakes make the occasion feel special.
Anyone who enjoys making things with their hands will likely find plenty to love.
Hours, Seasons and Booking Tips
Timing your trip is the key to success. Mohawk Steel & Glass operates seasonally, typically from October through December and again from February through April.
The studio closes during Mississippi’s hot summer months, so plan around that.
During the season, listed hours run Sunday from 2 to 8 PM, Wednesday and Thursday from 1 to 8 PM, and Friday and Saturday from 1 to 9 PM. The studio is closed Monday and Tuesday.
Hours can shift, so check before driving out.
Appointments are required if you want to blow glass yourself. Booking online is straightforward, and some families reserve a time slot just for their group to enjoy a quieter session.
Weekends and the holiday season can get busy.
For questions, call +1 601-467-6959 or visit hotglassms.com, which explains the seasonal schedule. Checking the website first prevents a disappointing trip during the off months.
Finding the place takes attention. The studio is at 50 Hegwood Rd in Hattiesburg, and visitors suggest watching for the Christmas tree farm sign so you do not drive right past.
Specific prices are not listed here, so confirm current rates when booking.
Our Take on a Family Stop Worth Planning Around
Few outings let kids leave with a piece of real art they helped shape themselves. That is the heart of what Mohawk Steel & Glass offers families in south Mississippi.
Fire, color, and patience come together into something you can actually hold.
Planning matters, but the payoff is strong. Book ahead, visit during the fall, winter, or spring season, and give yourself time to wander the farm.
Those three steps set up a smooth, memorable day.
Younger kids will likely remember the goats and the glow of the furnace. Older children may connect more with the science and skill behind each step.
Adults often walk away surprised by how much they enjoyed it themselves.
Families who return year after year to make new ornaments are building something lasting. Each visit adds another handmade piece to the tree, and each piece carries a story about that particular year.
That kind of tradition is hard to find.
If your family enjoys hands-on adventures, creative projects, or simply trying something new together, this farm studio deserves a spot on your Mississippi itinerary. Just bring curiosity, dress for the heat, and save room for an extra ornament or two.