LA GRANDE — Maggie Yeates’ art is hot — literally, as the furnace must be 2,130 degrees F to melt the glass she turns into works of art.

“There’s a big learning curve working with molten glass,” she said.

Yeates grew up in La Grande. She learned how to make glass beads in high school, then took a bead class at Art Center East and studied art at Lane Community College.

After moving back to La Grande, she discovered the glass studio in Cove of artists Tom Dimond and Kevin Boylan.

“I just kept showing up,” she said with a laugh.

Now, Yeates is an associate artist with Boylan at Birddog Glass, 702 Adams Ave. in downtown La Grande. They keep the gallery stocked with functional pieces, such as drinking glasses. She said they’ll work steadily for about four months, then take a short break for maintenance on the equipment.

She experiments with etching designs into the glass surfaces.

“They sell instantly and take twice as long,” she said.

Has she had mishaps?

“Definitely,” she said. “It’s a never-ending learning experience.”

The studio’s doors are often open for visitors to watch the process, and a food truck is on site. They offer classes, too — paperweights in the spring, pumpkins in the fall and ornaments for the holidays.

Winter, she said, is a nice time to be in the studio.

“When it’s 30 degrees outside, it’s 80 in here,” she said.