I had fabulous class this month with Kendra, Nicki, and Erin— all new to fused glass. I always love welcoming beginners into the studio. There’s something special about that first experience. As always, we began by reviewing studio safety and completing the required liability forms. Once the paperwork was handled, I moved on to one of my favorite traditions — surprising each student with a free gift. They were able to choose from magnets, stirrers, pendants, pocket hearts, and pocket crosses before diving into their projects. I never get tired of watching students select a small piece of glass art to take home before they’ve even started creating. It sets such a warm, generous tone for the day. This time was especially interesting. Nicki and Erin both chose pocket crosses right away. Then when Kendra walked in, she paused, looked at the options, and said, “Oh, I’m choosing a pocket cross.” I couldn’t help but smile. Three brand-new students, all independently drawn to the same piece. Moments like that always feel a little meaningful.
With all three Kendra, Nicki, and Erin visiting my studio for the first time, we began class with a tour. Before cutting glass or choosing colors, I like to walk new students through the spaces so they can get a feel for how I work and see just how wide the possibilities are with fused glass. We explored the studio and my specialty rooms together, talking about different techniques, tools, and finished pieces along the way. I’ve found that starting with a tour helps ease any nerves, sparks inspiration, and allows students to feel comfortable before diving into their own projects. By the time we returned to the main studio, the hesitation was gone and the excitement had definitely taken over.
- 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 florals and landscapes to jewelry and functional pieces, 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 calm, creative space, and students often pause here a little longer. This is usually where ideas start forming — they begin imagining colors, shapes, and projects of their own. There’s almost always a visible spark in this room.
- 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.
Since this was my afternoon class, I had picked up and completely reset the studio after the morning group. Fresh tables, refreshed supplies, everything ready for a new wave of creativity. I always love that reset — it feels like a clean slate and a brand-new beginning. By the time we made our way back to the main studio, the nerves were gone, inspiration was high, and everyone was ready to create. The tables were laid out with an abundance of supplies — murrine, dots, transparent and opaque glass, vitrigraph, and plenty of frit — giving them more than enough options to explore. There’s something magical about that moment. Students walk up to the table, take it all in, and you can almost see the wheels turning.
First up was Kendra, and she didn’t choose an easy project. She went all in and created a huge, fused glass candy bowl using vitrigraph, dichroic glass, and a mix of transparent and opaque glass. It was ambitious — layered, dimensional, and full of contrast. I’m not going to lie… I had my doubts. Sometimes when you combine that many elements, you just don’t know how they’re going to play together in the kiln. But wow — was I wrong. It turned out absolutely beautiful. The way the vitrigraph flowed, the sparkle from the dichroic, the balance between the transparent and opaque pieces — it all came together perfectly. And to top it off, she even took the time to grind all of her pieces for a clean, professional finish. That extra step makes such a difference. Watching a brand-new student take on something challenging and absolutely nail it? That’s one of the best parts of teaching.
Nicki also decided to make an adorable ring dish — and what a statement it became. She started with the prettiest base glass, then layered in iridized glass for that soft shimmer. As if that wasn’t enough, she added vitrigraph, murrine, and millefiori. For such a small piece, it packed a serious punch. The combination of texture, sparkle, and detail created so much movement and personality. Every time you look at it, you notice something new. It’s one of those pieces that proves size doesn’t determine impact. Absolutely stunning.
Last but certainly not least was Erin. She decided to create a photo stand — such a meaningful and functional piece. She selected a beautiful opaque base glass to start, which gave the whole piece a strong, elegant foundation. From there, she layered in vitrigraph, murrine, frit, and millefiori, thoughtfully placing each element to create balance and movement. It’s always fun to watch a design evolve piece by piece, and hers came together so naturally. The finished photo stand turned out beautifully. It’s the kind of piece that not only holds a special memory but becomes part of the display itself. Functional, artistic, and completely unique — just the way I like it.
Before wrapping up, all three students — Kendra, Nicki, and Erin— took advantage of one more creative opportunity. Occasionally, I offer students the chance to make a smaller fused glass piece — a pendant, magnet, or keychain — using my cabochons and decals. It’s such a fun option because it allows them to experiment with imagery and layering on a smaller scale. Each of them created beautiful pendants, and it was so fun to watch their personalities come through in those tiny pieces. There’s something especially satisfying about working small. You focus more on detail, composition, and that perfect little “pop” that makes the design shine. I loved watching them sort through the cabochons and decals, holding different combinations up to the light and deciding what spoke to them. Those quiet, thoughtful moments are just as rewarding as seeing the finished pieces come out of the kiln. Kendra made a Key Chain, Nicki made a magnet, and Erin made a car pendant. And truly, every single one turned out beautifully.
We truly had such a fun afternoon in the studio. There’s something so special about welcoming brand-new students and watching their confidence grow piece by piece. From bold project choices to thoughtful details and those beautiful little pendants, Kendra, Nicki, and Erin each created something uniquely their own. I love seeing that shift — when hesitation turns into pride and creativity takes over. That’s why I teach. I’m so proud of each fused glass projects these talented women created.
If you’d like to explore more of my fused glass art, including jewelry and home décor 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
