This month I welcomed a fun, energetic group into the studio — Kim and her daughter Kenzie, joined by friends Laurie and Tania. Since it was everyone’s first time taking one of my classes, we began by going over studio safety and completing the required liability forms. Once that was out of the way, I got to do one of my favorite things as an instructor: surprise each student with a free gift. They could choose from earrings, ornaments, or Christmas pendants before diving into their projects.
With Kim, Kenzie, Laurie, and Tania visiting my studio for the first time, we began the class by exploring the space together. I walked them through the studio and my specialty rooms, giving them a feel for how I work and the wide range of possibilities fused glass offers. Starting with a tour helps new students relax, get inspired, and feel comfortable before diving into their own projects.
- The Finished Room — is filled with completed fused glass artwork available for purchase and gives students a great sense of how varied fused glass can be, from florals to jewelry and functional pieces.
- The Finishing & Inspiration Room —is where I spend time adding final details to my own work. It’s a relaxed, creative space, and students often pause here to gather ideas and imagine what they might create during class.
- The Gallery Area —showcases a curated collection of finished fused glass pieces, all available for purchase. This room tends to spark lots of conversation, as students start noticing color palettes, textures, and techniques they’d love to try themselves.
After the studio tour, the work area became the center of attention. The tables were laid out with an abundance of supplies — murrine, dots, transparent and opaque glass, vitrigraph, and lots of frit — giving everyone plenty of options to work with. I love watching students react when they see all the materials available, because that’s usually the moment when ideas start forming and creativity really takes off.
First up was Laurie. Normally, I have students choose two fused glass pieces and then we narrow things down to one project, since some designs can be a bit challenging for new students. Laurie, however, picked one of my favorite pieces — a small 3×3 dish — along with a Santa ornament. Instead of making her choose, I decided to let her create both. She did a wonderful job on each piece. Of course, the kiln always has a say, and the Santa separated slightly from the brim during firing. I fixed it by adding a bit of frit, and it turned out perfectly. Laurie loved both pieces, and that’s always the best part.
Next was Laurie’s friend Tania. She was a bit reticent at first, but once she got started, she really found her groove. She created a lovely flower vase magnet along with two glass stirrers, and they all turned out beautifully. It’s always rewarding to watch someone ease into the process and realize they can do this — her pieces were thoughtful, well-balanced, and full of charm.
Next was Kim, and she also decided to take on more than one project. She chose a Grinch ornament, a snowman ornament, and even added a glass stirrer to the mix. At one point I joked that I’m not much of a painter and wished her luck with the Grinch’s face — and that’s when her daughter Kenzie stepped in and painted it for her. It turned out absolutely perfect. I love all three of Kim’s pieces, and it was so much fun seeing the two of them work together.
Last but definitely not least was Kenzie, a sweet and talented young lady who jumped right in and had a great time creating. She made a dichroic cross pendant and a Christmas tree ornament, and both pieces turned out beautifully. Her color choices were spot on, and it was clear she really enjoyed the process. Watching her creativity come through in her work was such a fun way to wrap up the class.
Since Kenzie finished first, I encouraged her to try a decal technique. I have a wide variety of cabochons, along with an even larger selection of decals in white, black, and color, which opens up so many creative possibilities. Kenzie had an amazing eye — she chose the perfect pendant shape and paired it with just the right decal for her style. The result was a truly eye-catching pendant, and it turned out absolutely gorgeous. Watching her confidence grow as she explored something new was such a fun part of the day.
This class was such a joy to teach. Watching friends and family members encourage one another, try new techniques, and build confidence in the studio is always rewarding. From ornaments and dishes to stirrers and magnets, each piece reflected the personality of the person who made it. Moments like these — laughter at the tables, helping hands, and shared creativity — are exactly why I love teaching fused glass. I’m looking forward to seeing these pieces after their final firings and sharing how everything comes together.
If you’d like to explore more of my fused glass art, including jewelry, home décor, and my commercial and production work, I’d love for you to visit my website, Elegant Fused Glass by Karen.
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
