Old Friends, New Projects: A Day in the Glass Studio

Brenda and Kayla, two of my amazing longtime customers, joined me for a fused glass class this month. I always enjoy creating with them—they bring so much joy and creativity to the studio! As always, I gave out a little thank-you gift to each of them. This month I added some patriotic pieces, as well as normal pendants, pocket hearts, crosses, magnets, and of course, more pendants! And just like with all my classes, I had them sign the standard liability forms before we got started.

Since Brenda and Kayla have taken so many classes with me over the years, I didn’t bother giving them the usual tour of my workspaces—they’ve seen them countless times and probably know their way around just as well as I do! It’s always nice having returning students who feel right at home in the studio.

  • 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 Brenda, who created not one, but two fabulous, fused glass pieces. Her first was a stunning tree suncatcher featuring an adorable little fox nestled at the base. She used vitrigraph for the tree and branches, added a variety of fall glass colors, and incorporated murrine for extra detail—it turned out beautifully! What’s funny is that I had just added some new glass to the studio, and without missing a beat, Brenda spotted it and picked it for her project. She has such a great eye—the colors she chose made her piece even more special.

For her second fused glass project, Brenda made a vibrant pumpkin. It’s full of rich orange colors —perfect for autumn décor. She plans to turn it into a plant stake by gluing it to a knife handle, just like I’ve done with some of my own plant stakes (check out the last row of examples if you’re curious!). I love that she’s combining creativity with function—it’s going to look fantastic nestled among her plants.


Kayla came to class with a clear vision—she had sent me a photo ahead of time of what she wanted to make, so I prepared a small sample for her to reference (that’s the first picture). Her project was ambitious and required a lot of precise work—cutting, grinding, and even some sawing—but she was up for the challenge! She used a gorgeous mix of vibrant colors and some special murrine that really brought the piece to life. It was such a joy to watch her turn that inspiration into reality, one colorful detail at a time.

Once Kayla finished assembling her piece, she carefully placed it in the kiln—and it fused perfectly! After the initial firing, I slumped it to give it shape and dimension. The final result? Spectacular. Her attention to detail and bold use of color really made the piece shine. I’m so proud of how this fantastic fused glass center piece turned out!

As a fun bonus, I offer my students the chance to try a free technique—and Brenda took full advantage of it. She created a lovely magnet using one of my handmade cabochons and added a delicate shell decal to give it a coastal flair. It’s a small piece, but full of charm and personality. I love giving students the opportunity to experiment with techniques they might not normally try—it often leads to the most delightful surprises!


Spending time with Brenda and Kayla is always a treat. They’re not only creative and talented but also bring such positive energy to the studio. I love when returning students feel comfortable enough to dive into more advanced projects and try something new. If you’re interested in exploring fused glass—whether you’re a beginner or ready to take on more advanced techniques—I’d love to create with you!

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


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