I had the absolute pleasure of welcoming Kim and Karmen back into the studio for another fused glass class—and let me tell you, these two never disappoint. They’re both incredibly talented, and it’s always exciting to see what they’ll create next. Even though they’re seasoned students, we still start the same way: a quick stop for liability forms, then straight to one of my favorite parts—the “thank you” table. I love offering returning students a choice of small fused glass pieces like dishes, stirrers, magnets, candles, and even a few bottle vases. It’s my way of saying how much I appreciate them coming back, while also giving them a little creative spark before we dive in.
Since Kim and Karmen were already familiar with my studio, we were able to jump right in and start creating—which is always such a treat. But even with returning students, I still love capturing the heart of the studio in my blog posts. Each room has its own personality and purpose, and I enjoy sharing those spaces through photos so you can experience a bit of the inspiration, creativity, and energy that fills the studio every time a class begins.
- Our first stop was the Finished Room, a bright, colorful space filled with jewelry and fused glass pieces available for sale. It’s also where I love to photograph my work, with all the light and color creating the perfect backdrop.
- From there, we moved into the Finishing & Inspiration Room, where I put the final touches on my pieces. It’s also home to some of my favorite creations—those special pieces that always seem to spark new ideas.
- We wrapped up in the Gallery Area, where completed work is displayed and waiting for new homes. It’s one of my favorite spaces, and students often tell me it inspires them as they start imagining their own projects.
I had the studio all set and ready for Kim and Karmen, with glass, tools, and inspiration laid out—just waiting for their creative ideas to come to life.
Karmen knew right away she wanted to create fused glass flowers, so I designed three dandelion-inspired samples for her to choose from—a small full bloom, a small half bloom, and a larger half bloom. I love offering a few variations like this because it helps spark ideas and gives students the freedom to choose what truly speaks to them. Each version has its own personality, from soft and full to light and airy, almost like they’re drifting in the breeze. Here are the sample flowers I created for her inspiration.
Karmen did an incredible job bringing her fused glass flowers to life. Each piece has that soft, airy dandelion feel—delicate, yet full of movement, as if they’ve been caught in a gentle breeze. I absolutely love how she made the design her own—one a beautiful yellow and the other a soft white—each with just the right balance of texture and detail. Seeing her finished pieces was wonderful, but what really made me smile was how she chose to display them. She created such a beautiful presentation that truly showcases the elegance of the glass—simple, natural, and perfectly suited to the design. I just love how they turned out.
Now for Kim—she’s taken several classes with me, and her pieces are always nothing short of amazing and incredibly creative. She has such a unique artistic eye and isn’t afraid to try something new. Over time, she’s created a wide variety of pieces, including a beautiful hummingbird, a vibrant suncatcher, “Bob the Lobster” (which still makes me smile!), and stunning poppy art. Each one reflects her creativity and willingness to explore different designs and techniques.
This time, Kim set her sights on creating a wall art sculpture—and she definitely chose a project that pushed her creatively and designed it herself. She began by carefully cutting her glass and adding frit to build depth and texture throughout the piece. I also created a few accessory glass elements for her, which worked perfectly for the flowers and added just the right extra detail. As her design evolved, Kim had so many great ideas—wanting to incorporate more frit, vitrigraph, and additional flowers. Rather than rushing it, we decided the best approach was to fuse the piece first and then build on it from there. It’s always a balance between creativity and timing in the kiln. You can see her here placing the piece into my large kiln (this was definitely a bigger project!) and even making a few last-minute adjustments before firing. I love that part—the final tweaks before everything heads into the kiln and the real magic begins.
The first photo shows how her piece looked after the initial firing. As I mentioned, this was meant to be a highly detailed, layered design, so Kim wasn’t finished yet. She went back in and added even more—vitrigraph, frit, additional cut flowers, and extra details to really bring the piece to life. From there, it went back into the kiln for a second firing. I’ll be honest—that part is always a little nerve-wracking. Every time you refire a piece, there’s a risk. But sometimes, taking that chance is exactly what a piece needs. In this case, it was absolutely worth it. The final result turned out beautifully, and I love how she chose to display it—it really highlights all the intricate details she worked so hard to create.
Advance classes like this are exactly why I love what I do. Watching returning students like Kim and Karmen continue to grow, take creative risks, and bring their own ideas to life is truly inspiring. Each piece they create tells a story—not just in the glass, but in the process, the decisions, and the joy of making something uniquely their own. I’m so grateful they came back to the studio, and I can’t wait to see what they create next.
If you’d like to see more of my fused glass work, 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 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
