What happens when you mix three fabulous women, loads of creativity, and one passionate glass artist (yep, that’s me)? You get a fantastic, fused glass class bursting with conversation and talent! This month, I had the joy of hosting Christina, Amanda, and Adelaida for a fun glass adventure. I couldn’t resist surprising them with bonus gifts. And of course, before the creative sparks flew, we handled the all-important liability forms—because nothing says “fun with glass” like a reminder that glass can bite. Safety first! Every class has its own vibe, and this one was pure magic. I’m so lucky to share what I love with such amazing people.
Everyone was new so I gave them a tour of my studio spaces to help spark some inspiration! My studio includes three main areas (not including the studio itself):
- The Finished Room — A vibrant space filled with a myriad of fused glass pieces available for purchase, showcasing the variety and beauty of finished creations.
- The Finishing and Inspiration Room — Where I add the final touches to my work and display some of my favorite pieces that bring me joy and spark creative energy.
- The Gallery Area — A curated space where every piece is available for purchase, offering students and visitors endless inspiration for their own glass projects.
- My Studio — The heart of my creative process, where the journey of glass artistry begins and ideas are transformed into stunning fused glass pieces.
First is Christina—a fused glass veteran! She’s already tackled some big projects with other instructors, so she dove right in, cutting, grinding, and dreaming up a gorgeous flower vase. She handcrafted every flower, then jazzed it up with hand-pulled vitrigraph and eye-catching murrine. Talk about glass magic!
Next up is Amanda, who crafted a gorgeous night light bursting with personality! She layered in vitrigraph, frit, murrine, and millefiori, creating a piece full of texture, color, and delightful little surprises. And I absolutely love the dreamy blue background she chose—it makes the whole piece shine and gives it a magical, sky-like glow. Amanda’s creativity really lit up the studio!
Last but definitely not least is Adelaida, who poured her creativity into a delightful votive bursting with charm. Her piece became a vibrant scene, featuring rainbows arching gracefully across the glass, bright tulips blooming in brilliant colors, and a tiny turtle adding the perfect whimsical touch. Every detail was thoughtfully placed, reflecting her sharp eye and love for joyful designs. Adelaida was such a fun student—full of laughter, curiosity, and wonderful ideas that kept the studio buzzing with energy and smiles.
Occasionally, I love treating my students to a free bonus project, and this time was a fun fused glass decal technique. Check out these photos of the ladies helping Christina chose the right cabochon and decal—it was teamwork at its best! For their bonus creations, the ladies made a keychain for Christina, a pendant for Amanda, and another gorgeous pendant for SALLY. The bottom row in the photos shows off the dazzling variety of decals and cabochons they had to choose from—so many colors and designs, it was like a treasure trove of glassy goodness!
Teaching fused glass is one of my greatest joys, and classes like this remind me why I love it so much—the laughter, the creativity, and the beautiful art we create together. If you’re curious about trying fused glass or want to dive deeper into this colorful world, I’d love to help you discover your inner artist. Let’s make something amazing! Reach out to me at elegantfusedglass@gmail.com or visit my website to learn more and book your own glass adventure.
While you’re there, be sure to explore the full site — and don’t forget to check out my Elegant Fused Glass by Karen YouTube for even more inspiration! If you’d like to stay up-to-date with my latest projects, classes, and special offerings, you can also sign up for my monthly newsletter, published on the information on my site. If you have any questions or would like to schedule a private class, feel free to email me at elegantfusedglass@gmail.com. I’d love to help you create something beautiful!
Keeping my kilns warm,
Karen
