October was full of sparkle and laughter as Jim, Julie, and Cindy joined me once again to make some beautiful, fused glass Christmas ornaments! They enjoyed their first ornament class so much in September that they decided to come back for round two—and I couldn’t have been happier to have them in the studio again. As always, I set out a little display of free gift options for them to choose from—pendants, suncatchers, crosses, hearts, and of course, magnets (because who doesn’t love a fun magnet?). Even though they’ve taken more classes than I can count, we still go through the trusty liability forms!
Since Jim, Julie, and Cindy are seasoned pros in my studio, we skipped the grand tour of my rooms this time around. But for those who haven’t visited before, my studio is divided into a few special spaces, each with its own purpose and personality.
- The Finished Room — a vibrant space brimming with completed fused glass pieces available for purchase, each one showcasing the variety and beauty of this art form.
- The Finishing & Inspiration Room — where I put the final touches on my own work, surrounded by some of my favorite pieces that bring joy and spark new creative energy.
- The Gallery Area — a curated display of finished glass art, with every piece available for purchase. It’s also a favorite spot for students, who often find endless inspiration for their own projects here.
For this class, I had their work areas all set up and ready—each spot stocked with colorful glass, tools, and examples of past ornaments to spark inspiration. I love seeing the excitement when my students walk in and spot the glittering piles of glass waiting to be transformed. There’s something special about watching them create—each piece turns out as unique as they are.
Now, I’ll admit it—those diamond shapes can be tricky! During the class, Cindy and I both struggled a bit getting the points to line up perfectly. It’s a great reminder that even after years of working with glass, there’s always something new to learn (and practice makes progress!). After class, I spent some time experimenting and created a completely different type of star. I had so much fun playing with the design, testing shapes, and refining my technique. Here are a few of my practice stars—each one a little better than the last!
Jim jumped right into the new star design with his usual enthusiasm and creativity! He loved the new style so much that he decided to make two of them—because why stop at one when you’re having fun? I always admire how fearless he is when it comes to trying something different. His stars turned out fantastic—bright, balanced, and full of personality. In the first row of photos, you’ll see his two new creations shining proudly, and in the second row, the first picture shows the new star layered over the older design, which makes for a really cool comparison. I also included a few photos to remind you of the beautiful ornaments he made in his very first class—it’s so fun to see how his creativity keeps evolving with every project!
Julie, as always, brought her own playful flair to the table. She decided to make one of the original stars along with a cheerful tree and an adorable snowman. Each piece reflects her fun personality and eye for color. Her ornaments just radiate joy—whimsical, festive, and full of character! I love how she combines color and shape to make every design come alive. Watching her create is like watching pure Christmas spirit take shape in glass form.
Cindy brought her usual focus and flair to the table, creating both a star and a tree—and they turned out absolutely gorgeous! I have to say, her red tree might be one of my favorites; it’s festive, bold, and perfectly balanced, just like her. Cindy is so precise and thoughtful with every piece she makes—you can really see the care she puts into her designs. I also included photos of the star and tree she made during her very first ornament class. It’s amazing to look back and see how her confidence and creativity have grown—each piece just gets more beautiful!
I had such a great time watching Jim, Julie, and Cindy dive into their ornaments—there’s nothing better than seeing everyone’s creativity come to life! While they worked on their projects, I couldn’t resist jumping in and making a star of my own using some of the leftover scraps. It’s always fun to see what little treasures can come from what’s left behind. I also wanted to show the difference between my new star design and the original one—each has its own charm and personality. In the last photo, you’ll see a transparent star and an opaque one side by side. Both are so beautiful in their own way—it’s a perfect reminder of how much variety and magic fused glass offers!
What a joyful class this turned out to be! Watching Jim, Julie, and Cindy create their unique Christmas ornaments filled my studio with laughter, color, and holiday cheer. I love how each of their pieces reflects their individual style—Jim’s adventurous stars, Julie’s playful designs, and Cindy’s thoughtful precision. It’s moments like these that remind me why I love teaching fused glass so much. Every class brings new ideas, friendships, and a little extra sparkle into the studio. With Christmas right around the corner, there’s no better way to celebrate the season than by creating something handmade, heartfelt, and full of personality.
If you’d like to join the fun and make your own fused glass ornaments (or other projects), be sure to sign up for one of my upcoming classes! You can always find my schedule and contact info at Elegant Fused Glass by Karen—I’d love to help you create something special this holiday season.
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
