During May, I had a very special fused glass class that brought together a wonderful mix of students—Shana and Jase her son, along with two sisters Mary and Jane. Even though they had never met before class, they all got along perfectly. One of the things I love most about fused glass classes is how quickly complete strangers can bond over creativity, colorful glass, and shared excitement while making art together. As always, we started class by reviewing studio safety and completing the required liability forms. Once the paperwork was finished, I surprised each of them with a free fused glass gift. They could choose from stirrers, pocket hearts, pocket crosses, pendants, or magnets. It’s such a simple little tradition, but it always adds an extra layer of excitement and fun to the beginning of class. I always enjoy watching everyone browse through the gifts and decide which piece speaks to them most.
Because this was Shana’s, Jase’s, Mary’s, and Jane’s very first fused glass class with me, I wanted to give them a chance to explore the creative space before we started cutting glass. We spent time walking through the studio looking at different examples of fused glass projects, colorful supplies, specialty tools, kilns, molds, and some of my finished pieces displayed throughout the rooms. I always love seeing the reactions from first-time visitors as they realize just how many possibilities there are with fused glass. What I especially enjoyed during this class was watching everyone’s ideas begin forming as we moved from room to room. One minute they were simply looking around, and the next they were pointing at techniques, asking questions, and talking excitedly about colors and project ideas they wanted to try. It’s amazing how quickly creativity starts flowing once students begin seeing all the different textures, reactions, and styles glass can create. By the time we finished exploring the studio, everyone seemed relaxed, inspired, and ready to jump into creating.
- 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. Normally I don’t sell a lot from my inspiration room but one of my students wanted a dragonfly so I was happy to sell it to her.
- 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. BTW one of my students bought a beautiful sun art piece from my Gallery.
Once everyone had explored the studio and gathered inspiration, it was finally time to settle in and start creating. The worktables were ready with colorful supplies spread everywhere—murrine, frit, dots, stringer, vitrigraph, transparent and opaque glass, and plenty of tools ready to be used. For many first-time students, this is the moment when excitement really takes over as they realize just how many creative options are sitting right in front of them. I always enjoy watching the studio slowly transform into a busy creative environment filled with colorful glass pieces, scattered ideas, and lots of conversation. At first, everyone carefully studies the supplies trying to decide what they want to make, but before long the creativity starts flowing and the projects begin taking shape. Some students focus on colors first, while others immediately begin designing patterns and layouts. One of the best parts of teaching fused glass is seeing how different every student’s artistic style becomes, even when they all start with the same supplies. That’s part of what makes fused glass so much fun—there are endless possibilities, and no two projects ever turn out exactly alike.
First up was Jase, and I have to admit this class was a little different for me because it was the first time I had a young boy in one of my fused glass classes. I wasn’t quite sure what type of project would interest him, so I asked his mom what he liked. Her answer? Robots! Of course, that immediately sent my creative mind spinning. I put together what I jokingly called a little “robot factory” for him filled with robot heads, bodies, eyes, arms, and fun little pieces he could mix and match. Since safety always comes first when working with glass, I made sure all of his project bases were already ground smooth, and many of the smaller glass pieces had been ground, fired, or tumbled to remove sharp edges. Honestly, Jase completely surprised me with how creative he was. Once he started designing, his imagination took off. He created an adorable robot (love every section of his robot) votive using a battery-operated candle, a cute little pig inspired by some of my glass bugs, and even a fun magnet. I loved watching him sort through the glass pieces deciding exactly where each little part should go. His excitement and creativity were contagious, and it was so much fun seeing the studio through the eyes of a child discovering fused glass for the first time. I truly enjoyed having both Jase and his mom in class. Watching them create together made the entire day feel extra special.
Next up was Shana who chose to create a beautiful tree design. I loved the soft colors and flowing look she created with the branches and leaves—it gave the piece such a peaceful and artistic feel. The combination of frit, glass accents, and the dark tree silhouette really made the design stand out beautifully against the lighter background. For projects like this, I let students pick out their own frame afterward from a local DIY craft store. I’ve found this works especially well because it gives students far more choices when it comes to colors, styles, and sizes, while also helping keep the overall class cost lower. Of course, even without the frame, the piece still comes with a small stand so it can be displayed right away. One of the things I enjoyed most about Shana project was how relaxing and thoughtful her design process seemed. While her son was busy building robots and little creatures, she quietly focused on arranging colors and details for her tree. It was such a fun contrast watching the two of them create completely different styles of fused glass art side-by-side.
Next up was Mary, who chose to create a beautiful handkerchief vase featuring aspen trees. What I really loved about her design was that she decided not to make a traditional four-seasons piece. Instead, she focused only on fall and winter colors, which gave the vase such a unique and artistic look. The warm golden yellows paired with the cool icy whites and blues created a beautiful contrast that really captures the feeling of changing seasons in Colorado. One of the things I always encourage in my classes is creativity and individuality. Students never have to follow a strict pattern or make projects exactly like examples they’ve seen. I love when someone takes an idea and makes it completely their own, and that’s exactly what Mary did with this vase. By focusing on only two seasons instead of all four, her piece became even more personal and creative. Once the vase was draped, the flowing handkerchief shape added so much elegance and movement to the design. The soft curves almost make the trees feel like they’re swaying in the wind. It turned out absolutely beautiful and was such a great reminder that fused glass art doesn’t have to follow “rules” to become something truly special.
Last but certainly not least was Jane, who chose to create a stunning rainbow-inspired suncatcher for her dad. I absolutely love the bright vibrant colors she selected and the way the transparent glass catches and reflects the light. Pieces like this are always so fun because they completely transform depending on where the sunlight hits them. What makes this piece especially beautiful is the way the colors glow and reflect onto nearby surfaces, almost creating a little rainbow of light around it. The added dimensional details and layered glass give the suncatcher even more visual interest and movement when hanging in a window. I also thought it was incredibly sweet that she created this piece as a gift for her dad. Handmade fused glass gifts always feel extra special because so much thought, creativity, and love go into making them. This suncatcher turned out absolutely gorgeous, and I know it will look beautiful hanging in the sunlight.
Before class wrapped up, a few students decided to create one more small, fused glass project using my decals and cabochons. These little add-on projects are always fun because they give students a chance to make something playful, personal, and a little different from their main project. This time we ended up with an adorable octopus piece and a beautiful fox design, both full of personality and color. Now I’ll share a horrible little secret about me… sometimes after firing these smaller pieces, I forget to write names by them and end up hoping everyone remembers which one they made! Thankfully, students usually recognize their creations right away, but every once in a while, there’s a little laughter and guessing involved. Honestly though, these tiny projects often become some of everyone’s favorite keepsakes from class. They’re quick, creative, and a perfect way to finish off a fun day of fused glass, conversation, and creativity in the studio.
This class was such a wonderful reminder that fused glass is truly for everyone, no matter your age or artistic experience. From robots and rainbow suncatchers to trees and beautiful handkerchief vases, every single project reflected the personality and creativity of the person who made it. I especially loved watching complete strangers quickly become comfortable laughing, sharing ideas, and encouraging one another throughout the day. Seeing Jase’s excitement and imagination brought such a fun energy into the studio, while Shana, Mary, and Jane each created projects that were thoughtful, artistic, and completely unique in their own ways. By the end of class, the tables were covered in colorful glass scraps, finished projects, and lots of happy smiles—which honestly is one of my favorite sights as an instructor. Thank you all for spending part of your day creating with me. Classes like this are exactly why I love teaching fused glass and opening my studio to others. I had an absolutely wonderful time and hope you did too!
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
