One of my classes this month was especially fun because it was a family group of four — Kelly, her husband Justin, their son Nate, and his girlfriend Amber. Since this was their first time working with fused glass, we began by going over the safety guidelines and liability forms. Once that was taken care of, I surprised them with a free gift, letting each person choose between earrings, ornaments, or Christmas pendants before we jumped into the creative part of the class.
Since Kelly, her husband Justin, their son Nate, and his girlfriend Amber were all new to my studio, I started the day by walking them through the space and showing them how everything is laid out. I love giving first-time students a full studio tour, especially my specialty rooms, because it helps them understand both my process and the many possibilities of fused glass.
- The Finished Room —is always a favorite first stop. It’s filled with completed fused glass artwork available for purchase, from floral designs to jewelry, and it gives students a great overview of just how versatile glass can be.
- The Finishing & Inspiration Room — is where I spend time adding final details to my own work. It’s surrounded by pieces that inspire me, and students often pause here to take it all in and start imagining what they’d like to create.
- The Gallery Area — features a thoughtfully arranged collection of finished fused glass pieces, all available for purchase. This space tends to spark the most conversation, as students gather ideas for color combinations, textures, styles, and techniques they want to try during class.
Next, everyone had a chance to see the studio, we settled into the workspace, which was fully prepped and ready to go. Each table was stocked with a wide range of materials, from murrine and dots to transparent and opaque glass, vitrigraph, and plenty of frit. Having everything within reach makes it easier for students to stay focused and creative, and it helps the class move smoothly from idea to execution.
First up was Kelly, who decided to make a little snowman face. She used one of my pieces as inspiration and then made it her own. The expression, colors, and small details came together perfectly, and it turned out absolutely adorable. Pieces like this are always a favorite because they’re simple, full of personality, and just plain happy.
Next was Justin, Kelly’s husband, and he really leaned into the process. Using one of my small dishes as inspiration, he created a piece layered with both opaque and transparent glass, which gave it wonderful depth and movement. The colors play beautifully together, and the finished dish has a richness that catches your eye right away. He did an excellent job, and this is one of those pieces that just feels finished and confident.
Next up was Nate, and he was an absolute blast in the studio. He decided to make a penguin for himself and a matching penguin for his girlfriend, Amber, which I just loved. He used murrine to add extra personality and playful detail to both pieces, and it really brought them to life. When I asked if he wanted to turn them into ornaments, he had a different idea in mind — he plans to display them in small stands instead. I suggested finding a frame he likes and gluing the glass pieces onto them, and if he chooses a thicker frame, he could even add a few extra embellishments to make them even more festive. It was fun watching him think beyond the obvious and make the pieces his own.
Last but not least was Amber, and she jumped right in by making two large ornaments. The first was a Christmas tree, which she decorated with murrine and topped with a star. The details came together beautifully, and the ornament has such a festive, cheerful feel to it. It’s always fun to see students take a classic holiday shape and make it their own with color and texture.
I always warn students that the kiln has a mind of its own, and this ornament was a perfect example. You can see how the star shifted from the top to the side during firing — but in this case, it actually looks just fine and adds a little character. Then, as I was setting the ornaments out, the Christmas hook caught on my sleeve and the piece fell to the floor and broke. I was able to UV resin it back together (but you can see it), and I also made another ornament for Amber. I’m giving her the option to remake one as well. Since they weren’t able to pick everything up before Christmas, we’ll see what she decides to do — and I’ll be sure to share what she chooses.
Occasionally, I like to give students the opportunity to try a new technique, and this time we explored working with decals. 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. It’s always fun to watch students experiment, make design choices, and gain confidence as they try something new. This time was especially meaningful because after I showed Kelly and Nate how to work with the decals, I asked Nate to teach his dad. Listening to Nate confidently explain each step — without missing a single one — was incredibly gratifying. As both a mom and an instructor, moments like that truly make my heart happy. Below are a few photos of the students’ finished pieces.
This class was such a joy to teach because it wasn’t just about the glass — it was about creating together. Watching a family learn new techniques, encourage each other, and take pride in their work is always special. From playful snowmen and ornaments to trying decals and exploring new ideas, everyone brought their own creativity to the table. These pieces will still go through additional firings and finishing, so this is just part of the journey. I’ll be sharing more as the work continues, and I can’t wait to show how everything comes together in the end.
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
