Jobean Glass Art
A flame-worked bead studio tucked into Booby Hill, where 2,000°F Venetian glass becomes wearable Caribbean souvenirs.
Why Go
Most Saba visitors come for the reef and the volcano — the ones who leave with a story usually detour up to Jobean's rainbow-colored studio, where a torch, a rod of Italian glass, and a couple of steady hands turn into a keepsake you actually made yourself.
The Experience
Jobean Chambers has been flame-working glass on Saba since 1992, and her hillside studio in Windwardside feels more like a working artist's home than a shop. Inside, shelves glow with sea-inspired beads — mermaids, seahorses, starfish, tiny tropical fish — each one melted, shaped, and annealed by hand from Venetian glass rods heated past 2,000°F. Drop-in visitors are welcome to watch a demonstration and browse the finished jewelry, but the real reason to come is the workshop: sit down at your own torch, get walked through the basics of lampworking, and leave a few hours later with beads (and confidence) you didn't have that morning. It's small, personal, and unmistakably Saban — the kind of experience the island quietly excels at.
What to Try
Book the half-day beginner workshop if you have the time — you'll leave with your own beads, still warm from the kiln, and a much deeper appreciation for the pieces in the display case. If you're only passing through, ask for a quick torch demo and pick up a signature sea-creature bead or a pair of the silver-and-glass earrings; the marine motifs make the most Saba-appropriate souvenirs on the island.
Insider Tip
Call or email ahead (+599-416-7037 / dannerysglassart@gmail.com) even for a 'quick look' — Jobean sometimes teaches or takes commissions off-site, and the studio isn't always staffed just because it's during posted hours. Booking a class a day or two in advance also lets her tailor the session to what you actually want to make, rather than a generic starter bead.
The Practical Stuff
Location: Booby Hill, roughly a 10-minute walk uphill from Windwardside village (there's also a small satellite shop in the village if the hike isn't for you). Hours: Monday–Saturday, 10:00–17:00, closed Sunday; always confirm before going. Payment can be tight on Saba — bring cash (USD) as a backup. Wear closed-toe shoes and tie back long hair if you're doing a workshop; the torch is hot and the studio is compact. Workshops run half-day or full-day and should be booked in advance.
Pair It With
- Brigadoon Guide — A Windwardside dinner favorite five minutes down the hill — perfect for celebrating the beads you just made over fresh seafood and a rum punch.
- Angelina's Saba By OwAiChie — Casual local food and drinks nearby, ideal for a relaxed lunch before or after your workshop without leaving the village.
- Bizzy B Guide — Grab a fresh-baked pastry or coffee here on your walk up Booby Hill — a low-key Windwardside stop that pairs naturally with a studio visit.
