At the start of each year, I set creative and business goals for my fused glass work. In my first blog post (and often in a Did You Know feature), I look back to evaluate those goals and reflect on my progress. I entered 2025 with the same goals as the previous year, and this review highlights how I did, what worked, and how my glass activities grew and changed throughout the year.
My first goal for both 2025 and 2026 is simple: teach more fused glass classes. Anyone who has taken a class with me knows just how much I love teaching, so this goal felt like a natural fit. There’s nothing better than watching someone’s confidence grow as they turn a pile of glass into something uniquely their own. In 2024, I taught 15 classes. In 2025, I taught 34 classes—more than doubling the number of classes from the year before. That growth didn’t just mean more time in the studio for me; it meant more creativity, more laughter, and more incredible student work coming out of those kilns. Throughout the year, my students created everything from jewelry and ornaments to nightlights and large statement art pieces. No two classes were ever the same, and seeing each person’s style come through their work is one of the most rewarding parts of teaching. Below are just a few examples of the beautiful pieces my students created this year.
My second goal last year was to use more of my molds—and while I did make progress, I’ll be the first to admit I didn’t use nearly as many as I should have. I did pull out a few favorites (shown at the bottom), but my mold collection still has a lot of untapped potential waiting in the studio. Rather than seeing that as a miss, I decided to turn it into a plan. I’ll select 24 molds and committed to using at least two each month. The mix includes casting molds, slumping molds, and texture molds, which should keep things interesting and push me to experiment in new ways. I’m genuinely excited about this goal. These molds open the door to new shapes, surfaces, and ideas—and I can’t wait to see how they influence my future pieces and classes. Below is a look at some of the molds I’ll be working with.
My third goal last year was to use more of my tutorials to create new projects—and I’ll be honest, this is one I didn’t do very well. Like many of us, I collected tutorials with the best intentions… and then got busy actually making glass. Instead of letting that feel like a failure, I decided to reset the goal in a way that feels achievable and exciting. This coming year, I’m committing to one tutorial per month. Just one. Enough to stretch my creativity without overwhelming myself. I recently spent hours revisiting some of my tutorials, and it completely reignited my excitement. There are so many inspiring projects out there, especially from artists I truly admire—like Tanya Veit from AAE Glass (I absolutely love her energy and teaching style), Glasshoppa with his wide range of creative projects, Mark Lauckner, whose work and tutorials are always inspiring, and of course the incredible e-books from Fusing Factory. Spending time with these videos and tutorials reminded me why I fell in love with fused glass in the first place—learning, experimenting, and trying something new or in many cases reminding myself of a project I’ve done in the past.
My fourth goal for the year was to update my website, specifically the shopping section—and this goal, in full transparency, didn’t get done at all. Not even a little. Ironically, the list of things that need updating seems to grow right alongside my glass work. The shop, the newsletter section, and maybe even a student gallery area. Like many artists, I found myself choosing time in the studio over time behind a screen—and while that’s not the worst problem to have, it’s clear this goal needs to move higher on my priority list. The good news? I know exactly what needs to be done, and acknowledging it here is my first step toward finally tackling it. Stay tuned—this is definitely a “to be continued.”
My fifth goal was to go through my studio and get rid of things I don’t need—and honestly, this one might be the hardest goal on my list. I didn’t do well with it, mostly because my brain is constantly saying, “But I might need this later.” The truth is, I love my molds, my glass, and all the little supplies that come with working in fused glass. Each piece feels like a possibility waiting to happen, which makes letting go… complicated. That said, I know this goal matters. When the time comes to move, I’ll need to downsize my studio, and the only way that happens is by starting—slowly and intentionally. So even though this goal remains a work in progress, I’m keeping it on the list. Sometimes the first step isn’t action—it’s commitment. And eventually, this one will get done.
My sixth goal was to use the glass and products I already have, and I’m happy to say I did okay on this one. It wasn’t about perfection—it was about being more intentional and creative with what was already in my studio. Over the year, I repurposed older pattern bars into brand-new dishes, transformed a broken dish into fresh pieces, and pulled out silver and alchemy glass that had been waiting for the right project. There’s something especially satisfying about giving new life to materials that might otherwise sit on a shelf. This goal reminded me that inspiration doesn’t always come from buying something new—sometimes it’s right there in front of you, just waiting to be reimagined.
Beyond my established goals, I also want to continue taking on production and custom orders. This is an area of my glass business that I truly love. There’s something incredibly rewarding about creating pieces that will be used and enjoyed every day, especially in hotels and restaurants. This year, I completed 4 production orders, and last year I completed 6. While the numbers varied, each order was unique and allowed me to create custom work tailored specifically to the space and client. From concept to finished piece, these projects are always both challenging and fulfilling. I’m hopeful that this coming year will bring even more opportunities for custom and production work, and I’m always excited to collaborate with new clients who are looking for one-of-a-kind fused glass pieces.
Another goal that’s especially close to my heart is increasing my donations. This year, I was fortunate to donate fused glass hearts to several organizations, contribute a variety of pieces to Mission: Wolf, and supported other causes along the way. Giving back through my glass brings me a deep sense of joy and purpose. Knowing that my work can help support organizations doing meaningful work is one of the most rewarding parts of what I do. As I look ahead, I’ d love to continue—and grow—this part of my journey. If there’s an organization that’s meaningful to you and could benefit from a donation, please feel free to reach out and let me know. I’m always happy to help when I can.
Last year, I participated in two shows—Woodland Park and Rampart High School—and I really enjoyed connecting with people in person, sharing my work, and talking glass face-to-face. Looking ahead to 2026, my goal is to increase that number to three shows. I plan to return to Woodland Park and Rampart High School, and I’m hoping to add Doherty High School back to the list. I’m also open to exploring new opportunities, possibly at Meridian Ranch or even a Home Show, if the right fit comes along. Shows are such a great way to meet new people, reconnect with returning customers, and get my glass out into the community—and I’m excited to see where next year takes me.
One of the highlights of my glass year in 2025 was attending the Glass & Bead Expo with my friends. Spending time learning, being inspired, and just enjoying the experience together was incredibly meaningful. There’s something special about stepping away from the day-to-day studio routine and immersing yourself in creativity alongside people who share your passion. I had a fantastic time, came home inspired, and was reminded just how important continuing education and community are to my glass journey. This coming year, I’d love to take another class, although with my current work schedule, fitting one in may be a bit challenging. Still, it’s very much on my wish list—because learning something new always finds a way to influence my work in the best possible ways.
As I look back on the year, I’m proud of the progress I made, the lessons I learned, and the joy that glass continues to bring into my life. Some goals were met, some were reshaped, and a few are still works in progress—but all of them helped guide my creative journey. Teaching, learning, giving back, and continuing to grow as both an artist and a business owner remain at the heart of what I do. As I plan for the year ahead, I’d love your input. What else should I do this year with my glass? Are there projects you’d love to see, classes you’ve always wanted to take, or ideas you think I should explore? Please feel free to share your thoughts—I truly value this community and the inspiration we give each other. Thank you for being part of my glass journey. I can’t wait to see what the next year brings.
If you would like to see more of my fused glass work, please refer to my website Elegant Fused Glass by Karen. If you get a chance, check out all my site and my Elegant Fused Glass by Karen YouTube. If you’d like to take a class please check out the information on my site about my classes. If you would like to stay abreast of what I’m up-to check out our newsletter. It is published the last day of each month.
Keeping my kilns warm,
Karen
