Earlier this month, I shared a blog post about all the preparation that went into teaching an advanced fused glass reactions class. Now it’s time to talk about the class itself. This session was made up of three of my advanced students — Jim, Julie, and Cindy — who were eager to dive deeper into reactions. Because reactions can be unpredictable, all of the sample-making, handouts, and planning really mattered once we were in the studio together. We worked exclusively with COE 90 glass, which allowed us to explore reactions in a consistent and controlled way. Advanced classes like this are never a one-and-done experience; they involve a lot of testing, firing, and thoughtful decision-making along the way. This post focuses on the class itself, with more to come as their pieces continue to evolve — and that ongoing process is exactly what makes advanced fusing so exciting. Below are some samples I made for them.
I started the class with a demo and walked everyone through the handouts, explaining the possibilities of what they could create using their materials. Each student received two 1×3 pieces of silver, two 4×4 pieces of clear, a 3×3 piece of clear, a 3×3 piece of vanilla, along with a few smaller pieces of vanilla and clear. We talked about how they could use the silver to create gold or bronze reactions, work with reactive glass, and even incorporate petrified wood. It was a lot of information at first and a bit overwhelming but having the samples I’d made — along with the handouts — really helped everyone visualize the possibilities and feel more confident moving forward.
Let’s start with Cindy. Below are a few photos of her working during class, and I’ll be sharing images of her finished piece in an upcoming post. What Cindy created at this stage is what I like to call a glass blank — it’s not finished yet, because there are still so many directions she can take it. Since we were working extensively with glass powders, all students wore masks during this part of the process. In the next post, I’ll show the samples I had available for inspiration and then share what each student ultimately chose to create from their blank.
For Cindy’s first piece, she was drawn to the petrified wood samples (shown in the first row), and that inspiration really shines through in her work. She combined those earthy textures with a stunning robin’s egg blue, creating a piece that feels both organic and elegant. The colors and depth in this glass are even more beautiful in person—the photos truly don’t capture how rich and dimensional this piece is.
Here are some of Cindy’s other glass blanks—and the possibilities are endless. The colors are absolutely amazing, with so much depth and movement that they’re already works of art on their own. These blanks could go in so many creative directions, and I can’t wait to see what Cindy ultimately turns them into. She also experimented with my alchemy glass, playing with silver-to-gold, silver-to-bronze, and even clear variations.
Next is Jim—and I always enjoy having him in class. He brings a great sense of humor, we joke around quite a bit, and he keeps things light while still being fully focused on his work. These photos show Jim in action, working on his pieces and having fun along the way—which is exactly what these classes are all about.
Jim’s glass blanks turned out absolutely incredible. I truly wish you could see the colors in person—the reactions in these pieces are unlike anything I’ve seen before. The depth, movement, and unexpected surprises that came out of the kiln are pure reaction-glass magic. These are just the starting point, though. Here are some of Jim’s glass blanks… and now the big question—what will he turn them into? I can’t wait to find out.
Next up is Julie, fully in the creative zone—layering powders, silver, frit, and so much more as her pieces come to life. Watching her work was half the fun, with each step adding depth, texture, and a little bit of glass magic. These behind-the-scenes moments are where the real excitement happens!
Julie’s reaction glass blanks turned out absolutely stunning. The colors, movement, and reactions that came out of the kiln were everything you hope for in an advanced class. These blanks are just the beginning—and I cannot wait to see what she transforms them into next. Stay tuned… this is going to be good. Julie also did some alchemy pieces (silver to gold, silver to bronze, and clear).
If you’re wondering what else can be created from these glass blanks, consider this an invitation to keep following along. This reactions class is still very much in progress, and the final results are where everything really comes together. In January, I’ll be sharing the last part of this series, where you’ll see what I created — along with what Jim, Julie, and Cindy made as their pieces continued to evolve. Advanced classes are all about exploration and discovery, and I’m excited to take you along for the rest of this creative journey.
If you’d like to see more of my fused glass creations, please 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 channel for videos and inspiration! If you’d like to stay up-to-date with my latest projects, classes, and events, I also invite you to sign up for my monthly newsletter, published on the last day of each month. And if you’re interested in taking a class, you’ll find all the details about upcoming opportunities right on my website! If you have any questions about taking classes or would like to schedule one, feel free to email me at elegantfusedglass@gmail.com. I’d love to help you create something amazing when you’re ready!
Keeping my kilns warm,
Karen
