During May, I had the pleasure of welcoming Mary and her daughter Julia to my studio for a special mother-daughter fused glass class. I always enjoy classes like these because they create an opportunity to spend quality time together while making something beautiful. From the moment they arrived, it was clear they were excited to explore fused glass and see what they could create. Whether it’s friends, couples, siblings, or family members, there’s something special about sharing the creative process, and Julia and her mom were ready for a fun day of glass, laughter, and artistic adventure. As always, we started with a review of studio safety and completed the required liability forms. Once the paperwork was finished, I surprised them with one of my favorite studio traditions—a free fused glass gift. They could choose from pocket hearts, crosses, pendants, magnets, stirrers, and other small, fused glass treasures. It’s always fun watching students browse through the selection and choose the piece that catches their eye. With gifts selected and excitement building, it was time to begin our creative day together.
Because both Mary and her daughter Julia were brand new to fused glass, we spent some time exploring the studio areas before diving into their projects. I always enjoy introducing new students to the world of fused glass because there are so many techniques, colors, and creative possibilities that most people have never seen before. As we walked through the various fused glass areas, we looked at finished artwork, functional pieces, jewelry, garden art, and some of my favorite creations. Along the way, I explained how glass can be cut, layered, fused, slumped, draped, and transformed into completely unique works of art.
- Our first stop was the Finished Room, one of the brightest and most colorful spaces in my studio. The room is filled with fused glass jewelry, dishes, artwork, and decorative pieces available for sale. Everywhere you look there’s sparkle, texture, and color. It’s also my favorite place to photograph my work because the natural light and vibrant surroundings make every piece come alive.
- Next, we stepped into the Finishing & Inspiration Room, which is exactly what the name suggests—a place where projects receive their final touches and where creativity seems to constantly grow. This room holds some of my favorite fused glass creations, along with pieces that inspire future ideas and new designs. I always think it feels a little magical because one project often leads to three more ideas before I’m done.
- We wrapped up the tour in the Gallery Area, where completed fused glass pieces are displayed while waiting to find their forever homes. I love ending the tour here because it helps students begin imagining the possibilities for their own creations. Watching new students look around and suddenly realize, “I could make something like this,” is always exciting. That spark of inspiration is exactly what fused glass is all about.
By the time Mary and her daughter Julia finished exploring the studio, it was time to settle in and start creating. Their workstations were ready with everything they would need for the day—glass cutters, running pliers, grozing pliers, cutting mats, cleaning supplies, and, of course, plenty of colorful glass waiting to be transformed into art. As first-time fusers, there was a mix of excitement and curiosity in the air as they looked over all the tools and supplies laid out before them. I always enjoy this part of class because it’s where possibilities start turning into plans. Mary and her daughter Julia began sorting through colors, examining different types of glass, and talking about ideas for their projects. What may seem a little overwhelming at first quickly becomes exciting as students realize there are no right or wrong choices—just endless opportunities to create something uniquely their own.
First was Mary, who chose to create cast glass hearts in a beautiful shade of purple, she had time to make two hearts during class. Cast glass hearts are a wonderful project because they are both meaningful and relatively simple to create, making them perfect for beginners. I especially love the rich purple tones that developed during the firing process. The hearts have a beautiful depth and sparkle that make them feel both elegant and comforting. Each one is smooth to the touch and fits perfectly in the palm of your hand, making them wonderful pocket hearts, gifts, or keepsakes. I always think pocket hearts carry a little extra meaning. They’re small enough to keep in a pocket, purse, desk drawer, or bedside table as a reminder that someone is thinking about you. Mary’s hearts turned out beautifully, and I love that she chose a project that was both simple and heartfelt.
Because the mold wasn’t completely full (the mold contains nine heart cavities) and the process is straightforward. I went ahead and filled the remaining heart cavities as well. One of the nice things about cast glass projects is that it makes sense to use all the available space in the mold whenever possible. As a result, we ended up with several extra hearts.
Julia, who created the most adorable, illuminated mushroom. From the moment she started selecting glass, I could tell this piece was going to be something special. She filled her mushroom cap with an incredible assortment of murrine and millefiori, creating a whimsical design packed with tiny details and surprises. One of my favorite things about this piece is that the more you look at it, the more you discover. Julia incorporated some of my special murrine, including birds, fish, ladybugs, flowers, and other tiny treasures scattered throughout the design. Every angle reveals something new, making it a piece that invites you to slow down and explore all the little details hidden within the glass. The soft blue and white color palette gives the mushroom a light, airy feel, while the colorful murrine adds pops of personality and charm throughout the piece. When illuminated from below, the glass comes alive, highlighting the colors, textures, and tiny images tucked throughout the mushroom cap. The glow adds a magical touch and transforms an already beautiful piece into something truly enchanting. For a first-time fused glass student, Julia did an amazing job. Her creativity, attention to detail, and willingness to experiment with a variety of murrine resulted in a one-of-a-kind piece that is both artistic and fun. I absolutely love how it turned out, and I think it perfectly captures the playful nature of fused glass.
Occasionally, I like to give students an opportunity to experiment with some of my fused glass cabochons and decals, and it’s always fun to see what they create with them. These little additions may be small, but they can completely transform a piece and add personality, detail, and a unique finishing touch. Sometimes students use them to complement a larger project, and other times they become tiny pieces of art all on their own. The cabochons and decals are especially popular because they allow students to explore another side of fused glass design without needing advanced cutting skills. From whimsical animals to abstract designs and tiny hearts, the possibilities are endless. I love watching students browse through the decals and suddenly light up with ideas as they imagine how to personalize their pieces. These small magnets are a wonderful reminder that fused glass art doesn’t always have to be large to make a big impression. Mary & Julia made two pocket charms. As an example, I made a heart stirrer.
This class was such a wonderful reminder that some of the best memories are made when family members create together. While Mary chose meaningful cast glass hearts filled with love and sentiment, Julia let her imagination run wild with a whimsical mushroom light covered in tiny treasures and colorful details. Although their projects were completely different, both pieces reflected their personalities and creativity perfectly. One of the things I enjoyed most about this class was watching their confidence grow throughout the class. They arrived as first-time fusers, eager but a little unsure of what to expect. By the end of class, they had learned new techniques, explored the creative possibilities of glass, and created beautiful pieces they could be proud of. Thank you, Mary and her daughter Julia, for spending the day in my studio. It was a joy sharing the world of fused glass with you both, and I hope your hearts and mushroom light bring you smiles for years to come.
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
