Last year, I was in Korea during the Woodland Park Mountain Arts Festival and sadly had to miss it—but not this year! I was so thrilled to be back for the 40th anniversary of this wonderful event, and I’m so glad I made it. The festival is held in Memorial Park in Woodland Park, Colorado, and it’s such a beautiful setting with towering trees, stunning mountain views, and just the right mix of sunshine and mountain breeze. This year, I had the pleasure of reconnecting with old friends and making some new ones. There’s just something special about art festivals—everyone’s in good spirits, curious, and inspired by all the creativity around them. There were 125 art vendors, six delicious food vendors, live music, and a silent auction—a perfect blend of community, creativity, and celebration. It truly felt like a milestone event and I was honored to be a part of it. Thank you to everyone who came out to support not just me but all the artists. Whether you stopped by to browse, chat, or shop—I appreciate you more than you know. And of course, thank you to those who took a class with me or signed up for my newsletter and got a little free gift!
One thing I’ve really noticed this year is how much longer it takes us to set up—and how many more breaks I need to take along the way. Don’t get me wrong, I love doing shows, but it is a lot of work. From loading the car with tables, displays, and bins of glass to unloading, unpacking, and arranging everything just right—it’s definitely a full-body workout! But once it all comes together, it’s worth every bit of effort. I’ve included some pictures of our setup and booth. I was especially excited to try something new this year—I opened up one entire side of my tent! It made such a difference. The extra visibility let the sunlight catch the glass just right, and it made it so much easier for customers to see all the colors and sparkle from a distance. I had so many people comment on how inviting the booth looked, which really made my day. I also got some wonderful feedback about the layout and the variety of fused glass pieces—hearts, plant stakes, jewelry, soap dishes, nightlights, and more. It always brings me joy to see people light up when they find something they love.
As always, I love showing appreciation to those who support me—so I brought a few fun giveaways to the festival! Anyone who receives my monthly newsletter received a free fused glass stirrer—a little thank-you for being part of my glass journey. I also had a special surprise for my students who stopped by: each one received a mini suncatcher as a token of appreciation. And to make things even more exciting, anyone who spent $15 or more got to reach into my mystery bag and pull out a surprise pendant. It was so much fun watching people light up with joy when they saw which piece they picked!
One of my favorite parts of participating in art festivals is getting the chance to support and shop from fellow artists. I always try to carve out time to walk around and admire the creativity on display—and this year, I couldn’t resist! I picked up two beautiful handmade mugs that I absolutely love. I also brought home some lovely greeting cards created from original paintings, as well as a few stunning prints that truly spoke to me. There’s something incredibly special about collecting art directly from the hands that made it—it’s a creative exchange filled with heart, and it never fails to inspire me in my own fused glass journey.
One of the artists who had a booth near mine was absolutely amazing—her artwork truly caught my eye. I ended up buying several of her beautiful vibrant hummingbird prints from her website. It’s always such a joy to connect with other creators and support their work. Being surrounded by so much talent is one of the best parts of doing these shows—it fills me with inspiration and reminds me how vibrant and generous the art community can be.
I also held my usual giveaway drawing during the festival, and Erin was the lucky winner of a $25 fused glass credit! She can either choose a piece valued at $25 or use it as a discount toward a larger item—it’s completely up to her. I love offering these giveaways as a fun and heartfelt way to say thank you to everyone who stops by, browses, chats, and supports my art. It’s just one more way I can give a little something back to this amazing community.
All in all, I’m so grateful I was able to participate in the 2025 Woodland Park Mountain Arts Festival. Between reconnecting with old friends, meeting new customers, supporting fellow artists, and sharing my fused glass art, it was a weekend full of creativity, community, and inspiration. Thank you to everyone who stopped by my booth, joined the giveaway, or simply shared a smile and kind words. I’m already looking forward to next year’s festival—and maybe a few new surprises to share when I return! My next show is Rampart.
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
