Normally, when I hold a class, I have a minimum of three students. However, this month I had a cozy class with just two lovely women, Jessica and Jenna. It was their first time fusing, and there’s something truly special about that first experience. As always, we began by reviewing studio safety and completing the required liability forms. Once the paperwork was out of the way, I surprised each of them with a free fused glass gift. They could choose from stirrers, pocket hearts, pocket crosses, pendants, or magnets. I never get tired of watching students select their free gift—it’s always such a joy to see what speaks to them.
Since it was both Jessica and Jenna’s first time visiting my studio, we began with a tour of my different glass spaces. We explored the studio and my specialty rooms together, talking about techniques, tools, and finished pieces along the way. I’ve found that starting with a tour helps ease any nerves, spark inspiration, and allow students to feel comfortable before diving into their own projects.
- The Finished Room — is filled with completed fused glass artwork available for purchase, and it truly gives students a sense of just how versatile this art form can be. From art pieces to jewelry and functional glass, the variety always surprises them. It’s one thing for me to describe the possibilities—it’s another thing entirely to see them displayed right in front of you.
- The Finishing & Inspiration Room —is where I spend time adding those final touches to my own work. It’s a busy, creative space filled with ideas, experiments, and inspiration. There always seems to be a spark of creativity in this room, and students can feel that energy the moment they step inside.
- The Gallery Area — showcases a curated collection of finished fused glass pieces, all available for purchase. This space tends to spark the most conversation. Students begin pointing out color palettes they love, textures that catch their eye, and techniques they’re curious about trying. Before long, the creative wheels are turning and the possibilities feel endless.
Finally, it was time to head into the studio. After seeing the wide variety of fused glass projects during the tour, the nerves had melted away, inspiration was high, and both ladies were ready to create. The tables were set with an abundance of supplies—murrine, dots, transparent and opaque glass, vitrigraph, and plenty of frit—giving them endless possibilities to explore. This is usually where the magic starts to happen. Ideas begin forming, and before long, they’re imagining colors, shapes, and projects that are completely their own.
First up was Jessica, who chose to create a garden stake—and it turned out absolutely beautiful. I showed her three or four different ways to make the flowers, and she didn’t hesitate—she went straight for the most challenging option using my saw. No fear at all! She added wonderful details with frit, vitrigraph, and murrine, including a ladybug, bird, butterfly, bee, and dragonfly. Every element came together to create such a fun, lively piece. I love plant stakes—they’re so fun to make and always turn out so unique and beautiful.
Jenna also chose to create a plant stake, but she went with a smaller version. She incorporated vitrigraph, frit, and murrine, giving her piece great texture and detail. Her flower design was a bit different than Jessica’s, and she finished it off with a beautiful murrine in the center, which really made it stand out.
Before wrapping up, both of these wonderful women took advantage of one more creative opportunity. Occasionally, I offer students the chance to make a smaller fused glass piece—a pendant, magnet, or keychain—using my cabochons and decals. Jessica chose a beautiful butterfly design and created a magnet that turned out absolutely lovely. Jenna found a stunning cabochon that was beautiful on both sides and decided to turn it into a keychain. She picked a perfect decal, and we took it one step further by drilling the cabochon so it can be used either way.
Because it was just the three of us, we had so much fun creating and exploring my different supplies and coldworking equipment. Moments like this are exactly why I love teaching. I realized I hadn’t mentioned earlier that they are both teachers themselves—and it showed! They were focused, thoughtful, and did a fabulous job bringing their ideas to life. I’m so proud of the fused glass projects these talented women created. Classes like this are such a great reminder of why I love what I do. Watching Jessica and Jenna go from first-time visitors to confident creators in just a few hours is incredibly rewarding. They each embraced new techniques, challenged themselves, and let their creativity lead the way—and that’s where the magic really happens. From their beautiful plant stakes to their unique smaller pieces, every project reflected their personality and creativity. I hope they had as much fun as I did, and I can’t wait to see what they create next!
If you’ve ever thought about trying fused glass, this is your sign—come join a class and create something uniquely your own. 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
