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Shields, Sask. — For Joan and Al Hiebert, retirement was never about resting, it was about starting something new.
While others may have sought relaxation, the Hieberts dove headfirst into a new adventure: they opened Hieberts Hot Shop, a glassblowing studio in the heart of the Saskatchewan prairies.
“We retired about 20 years ago, and since then I’ve been doing glass full-time,” Joan explains with a smile.
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Al Hiebert says the furnace in the hot shop burns at greater than 1,200 degrees Celcius. (Brittany Caffet/650 CKOM)
Joan refers to herself as a “glass lady.” It’s a modest title for someone whose life has been shaped so greatly by the art form.
Joan says she has always been drawn to glass art, starting with stained glass decades ago. Al, initially indifferent to the craft, was eventually roped in by Joan’s enthusiasm.
Over time, their shared passion grew, and Al became as immersed in the process as Joan. He now does more of the actual glass-blowing, while Joan focuses on sculpting the hot glass.
The Hieberts create a wide array of items in their glass studio, from paperweights to Christmas tree ornaments to intricate sculptures. (Brittany Caffet/650 CKOM)
The couple started their glass-blowing journey in 2002. While they may not consider themselves experts, they’ve certainly become skilled practitioners.
“They told us it would take 10 years to get good at this,” Joan recalls. “Well, we’ve been going for 22 years now, and we’re still having fun.”
The walls in Hieberts Hot Shop are adorned with pigments in every hue one can imagine. (Brittany Caffet/650 CKOM)
“We spend about 10 hours a day here, almost every day,” Joan says as she looks around the shop, admiring all that she and Al have built.
The space hums with life — the flicker of furnace flames, the whir of machinery, and a steady flow of students and artists eager to learn and create.
Surfaces are piled high with tools, supplies and equipment, creating an organized chaos. Just when you think you’ve reached the end of the workshop, another door opens, revealing more space for creative freedom.
Hieberts Hot Shop is a veritable wonderland for anyone with a creative spirit. The space includes areas dedicated to glass blowing, stained glass, pottery, blacksmithing, woodworking, and even a mechanic’s shop. (Brittany Caffet/650 CKOM)
From glassblowing to pottery, blacksmithing, woodworking, and even a mechanic’s shop, the studio is a treasure trove of possibility. It’s not just a place to work; it’s a sanctuary where ideas are born and brought to life.
“We have everything from cold, warm, and hot glass,” Al says with pride. “Most studios focus on just one temperature range, but we’ve got it all.”
While most glass studios specialize in one type of glass work, Hieberts Hot Shop utilizes glass at multiple temperatures. They blow hot glass, use kilns to shape warm glass, and create cold glass works in their stained glass studio. (Brittany Caffet/650 CKOM)
The studio is also a place of teaching. Both Joan and Al were educators before they retired, and they’ve carried that love of teaching into their new venture.
The shop hosts workshops for the Saskatoon Glass Workers Guild, and offers classes for anyone — from children as young as 12 to adults in their 80s and beyond.
The Hieberts take pride in reducing waste. Even the smallest scraps of glass are repurposed into glass “puddles” that are used in mosaics. (Brittany Caffet/650 CKOM)
“I think glass art is for everybody,” Joan says, reflecting the inclusive spirit that has defined their studio.
“It’s amazing to see people come in and realize they can create something beautiful with their own hands.”
Hieberts Hot Shop has become an artistic haven on the prairies, where artists from all disciplines can gather. (Brittany Caffet/650 CKOM)
Students often come to the Hieberts with great excitement, eager to try their hand at glassblowing, but quickly discover the challenges the craft brings.
“People think they’ll learn it overnight, but it takes time,” Joan explains. “There’s heat, there’s safety, and there’s a lot of focus required.”
Al Hiebert may be smiling, but he says they take safety very seriously in Hieberts Hot Shop! (Brittany Caffet/650 CKOM)
The furnace in the hot shop burns at greater than 1,200 degrees Celsius. The liquid glass, which is even hotter than molten lava, generates a sweltering heat in the studio.
“It’s pretty hot in there,” Al admits, “but you get used to it. After a while, you feel chilly in a house set at 20°C because you’re so used to the heat in here.”
The tools used to work with the hot glass are well worn. Al Hiebert says they don’t buy new tools, but make do with what they have — even using household items like butter knives to accomplish a desired effect. (Brittany Caffet/650 CKOM)
The couple say tolerating the heat is worthwhile to experience the sheer joy of creating something beautiful.
Whether it’s sculpting intricate glass forms, casting molds from everyday objects, or turning colourful glass puddles into whimsical garden decorations, the possibilities are endless.
Joan Hiebert says she puts in extra effort to reduce waste in her hot shop. Leftover pieces of glass are melted in the kiln to create glass “puddles,” which are then used in mosaics. (Brittany Caffet/650 CKOM)
Al is 81 and Joan will turn 80 later this year. Even so, the Hieberts have no intention of slowing down.
“Our son says we flunked retirement,” Joan laughs.
While they may have flunked retirement, these former teachers certainly get bonus marks for creativity.
Al and Joan Hiebert, 81 and 79 respectively, say they have no intention of slowing down any time soon. (Brittany Caffet/650 CKOM)
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