Even though this class was in January I wanted to ensure I showed off the great projects my students made. Laurie and Tania returned for another creative afternoon, and longtime customer Teresa joined us for her very first class in the studio. Since it was Teresa’s first time taking a class, we started with a quick overview of studio safety and completed the required liability forms — the official part before the fun begins. Once that was out of the way, I got to do one of my favorite things as an instructor: surprising everyone with a free gift. Each student chose from fused glass stirrers, pocket hearts and crosses, or pendants before diving into their projects. It’s always a fun way to start the day, and it sets the tone for what I love most about these classes — creativity, laughter, and watching everyone’s ideas come to life in glass.
Since it was Teresa’s first visit to my studio, I started by giving her a tour of the space and my specialty rooms so she could get a feel for how I work. I’ve found that beginning with a tour helps new students relax, get inspired, and feel comfortable before jumping into their own projects. Seeing finished pieces, works in progress, and all the different possibilities helps spark ideas and takes away that “where do I even start?” feeling. Meanwhile, Laurie and Tania headed into the gallery area to look around and see what inspired them this time. One of the things I enjoy most is watching each person’s creativity take shape differently, even when they’re surrounded by the same glass and materials.
- 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, we moved into the studio where the real fun begins. The tables were filled with an abundance of supplies — murrine, dots, transparent and opaque glass, vitrigraph, and plenty of frit in every color imaginable — giving everyone endless options to explore. I also had decals and cabochons laid out and ready to use, which always adds another layer of creativity and personalization.
Laurie came in knowing exactly what she wanted to create — a fused glass heart. It’s always fun when someone arrives with a clear vision, and Laurie brought hers to life beautifully. She chose soft colors and delicate details that give the piece a light, almost whimsical feel, like a small garden captured in glass. Instead of drilling a hole for hanging, Laurie decided she wanted the heart displayed in a stand, allowing it to be appreciated as a small piece of glass art rather than jewelry or décor. It was a great choice, and the finished piece really shows off the depth, texture, and movement in the glass.
Next was Laurie’s friend Tania. The first time she took a class, I wasn’t entirely sure how much fun she had — but clearly, I was wrong. This time she jumped right in and created a fabulous spoon rest that turned out beautifully. Tania chose to work with copper glass and sulphur glass, which created a wonderful chemical reaction during firing, adding depth and movement to the piece. The colors flowed together perfectly, and the finished spoon rest is both functional and artistic — one of those pieces that makes everyday moments in the kitchen feel just a little more special.
Next was Teresa, who, as I mentioned earlier, has been a longtime customer but was visiting the studio for her very first class. She decided to create an aspen sconce, and it turned out absolutely charming. Teresa incorporated a wonderful collection of murrine, including a ladybug, owl, mushroom, and even a tiny hedgehog, giving the piece a playful personality while still keeping the peaceful feel of an aspen grove. The warm colors and layered details really came together beautifully after firing. In addition to her sconce, Teresa also made a pendant using my decals and cabochons, which gave her a chance to try a completely different technique in the same class. For a first-time student, she did an amazing job and clearly wasn’t afraid to explore and have fun with the glass.
Classes like this remind me why I love teaching so much. Each student walked in with different ideas and experience levels, yet every piece turned out completely unique and personal. Watching Laurie bring her vision to life, seeing Tania experiment with reactive glass, and welcoming Teresa into the studio for her very first class made for a truly special afternoon. The laughter, creativity, and excitement when everyone sees their finished pieces never gets old. I’m always grateful when students trust me to be part of their creative journey, and I’m already looking forward to seeing what they make next time.
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
