What a fun class this was! Three ladies joined me, each tackling a project that was a little on the challenging side. Like every class, we started with the basics—safety reminders and liability forms—before moving on to one of my favorite parts: handing out free gifts. Students got to choose from suncatchers, pocket crosses, pocket hearts, pendants, and magnets. I love this tradition, because it’s a simple way to show my appreciation for those who spend their time creating with me in my home studio.
While Kim and Vanessa were already familiar with my studio, Tara was brand new to fusing, so I gave her a tour of the glass spaces.
- The first stop was the Finished Room, a colorful space full of jewelry and glass art for sale, as well as the spot where I love to photograph my creations.
- From there, we stepped into the Finishing & Inspiration Room, where I polish up my own work and keep some of my favorite pieces that always spark ideas.
- We wrapped up in the Gallery Area, where completed pieces are displayed and waiting for new homes—a place students often say gives them inspiration for their own projects.
Last but not least, there’s the Studio—the center of creativity. Kim had her project in mind from the start (“Bob the Lobster”), so she jumped right in. I always suggest students bring two pieces from the Gallery so we can talk through what’s realistic for their level and the class time. The Studio itself is lined with shelves of supplies and equipment, while the big table in the center is where the magic happens. It’s a place meant to feel welcoming, supportive, and full of inspiration as students begin their projects.
Tara was the first to dive in (and can we take a moment to appreciate her dress—it was fabulous!). She came to class with a clear vision: she wanted to make mushroom night lights. She even brought along inspiration photos, which showed me just how excited she was about this project. Normally, I don’t let students make mushrooms, since the cap is a pretty advanced, multi-step process. But I’ve been toying with the idea of offering a mushroom-themed class, and Tara turned out to be the perfect person to try it with. She became my very first mushroom student—and wow, did she set the bar high! We began by cutting the circle, and then she went all in decorating it, adding wonderful layers of glass that gave her piece so much depth and character. I’ll admit, I was a little nervous about firing it—too many layers can be tricky in the kiln—so I made a practice cap of my own (you can see it in the third picture). I even slumped it to double-check that my schedule would hold up. In the fourth picture, you can see Tara’s mushroom cap next to mine, and honestly, hers turned out amazing. I couldn’t be prouder of her work. Not only did Tara create something unique and beautiful, but she also helped me take the first step toward a possible mushroom class in the future. What a fantastic way to kick off this session!
Vanessa had taken a fused glass class with me before, so she came in with a bit of experience under her belt. Just like Tara, she brought along an inspiration piece—a small bowl that used an advanced technique. While she didn’t plan to replicate the technique, she loved the shape and wanted to create her own bowl in a similar shape. She cut her circle by hand (which takes patience and precision), then carefully ground it smooth before moving on to the fun part—decorating. Vanessa has such a great eye for design, and I loved the choices she made. With dots and murrine placed across the surface, her piece developed this vibrant, rainbow-like appearance that feels both cheerful and sophisticated. The end result was a bowl full of character and color, one that shows off her growing skill and confidence with fused glass. It was such a joy watching her bring her inspiration to life in her own unique way.
And then there was Kim—this amazing woman is so talented. Before class, she sent me both a drawing and an image of the piece she envisioned. I’ll be honest—my first thought was, OMG, how will this work out? But Kim is so precise and creative that she made it look effortless. With a little guidance and a few of my recommendations, she transformed her idea into reality. One of my favorite parts of her project was how we incorporated cane—it added such beautiful structure and detail. Kim really pulled out all the stops, layering her design with enamel, dots, vitrigraph, premade flowers, and murrine. Every element worked together to bring her vision to life, and the result was nothing short of outstanding. There was even a fun little side adventure: Kim wanted to bend her vitrigraph for just the right look, so out came my crème brûlée lighter! The key trick, of course, is not to touch it afterward—it’s scorching hot and will burn. The finished piece? Absolutely perfect. Bold, detailed, and full of character—it was the kind of project that shows just how far creativity can go in fused glass.
To make her lobster even more lifelike, Kim wanted to add antennae. I suggested UV resin as the best way to secure them so they’d stay three-dimensional instead of being fused flat, and she was all in. For shaping, she used a simple candle instead of the crème brûlée torch—much safer, though it does leave a little residue behind. It worked beautifully, and with the antennae in place, Bob truly came to life. When it was time to pack him up, I was so happy to see everything held together perfectly—Bob made it home safe and sound. I can’t wait to see him once he’s framed; I know he’s going to be a stunning centerpiece and a real testament to Kim’s incredible talent and vision.
Watching Tara’s mushrooms, Vanessa’s colorful bowl, and Kim’s incredible “Bob the Lobster” come to life reminded me exactly why I love teaching. Every class is a balance—sometimes students are brand new, like Tara, while others are experienced and eager to take on advanced projects, like Vanessa and Kim. That mix keeps my studio alive with creativity. I truly enjoy guiding beginners through their first creations just as much as I enjoy helping advanced students push the limits of what’s possible. No matter your level, there’s always something new to explore in fused glass, and I’d love for you to join me on that journey. If you’d like to experience the magic of fused glass for yourself, reach out to schedule your own class by emailing me at elegantfusedglass@gmail.com or visit my website at www.ElegantFusedGlassbyKaren.com.
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
