My regular classes can hold up to five students, and this session was a full house with all five spots filled. Three of the students were good friends who came together, and the other two were a husband-and-wife team. It made for a lively, creative, and fun atmosphere! As always, I set out free fused glass pieces for everyone to choose from as a thank-you, and I had each student complete a liability form along with a quick safety briefing before we got started.
Everyone was new so I gave them a tour of my studio spaces to help spark some inspiration! My studio includes three main areas (not including the studio itself):
- The Finished Room — A vibrant space filled with a myriad of fused glass pieces available for purchase, showcasing the variety and beauty of finished creations.
- The Finishing and Inspiration Room — Where I add the final touches to my work and display some of my favorite pieces that bring me joy and spark creative energy.
- The Gallery Area — A curated space where every piece is available for purchase, offering students and visitors endless inspiration for their own glass projects.
- My Studio — The heart of my creative process, where the journey of glass artistry begins and ideas are transformed into stunning fused glass pieces.
First up was Julie, who created a gorgeous fused glass plant stake featuring a charming little birdhouse. She carefully cut and ground the glass herself, then added layers of detail with vitrigraph, colorful frit, and delicate murrine—including a beautiful robin perched just outside the house. The combination of colors and textures made her piece absolutely lovely and perfect for brightening up any garden or plant pot.
Next was Jim, Julie’s husband, who created a striking fused glass tree that turned into an art piece. His design was full of life and color, using layers of frit in all sizes to create depth and texture. He also incorporated murrine, including a few tiny birds tucked into the branches, which gave the piece so much personality. The end result was vibrant, dynamic, and absolutely beautiful—a piece that will stand out wherever it’s displayed.
Christy created a lovely, fused glass votive that had such a soft, elegant feel. I especially loved how she designed multiple tulips on each stem—it gave the piece a balanced, graceful look. To top it off, she added a large dragonfly that really made the design pop. When the light shines through, you can just imagine how stunning it will look flickering with a candle inside.
Alyssa made a beautiful fused glass nightlight that was full of color and charm. She incorporated tiny birds, a delicate butterfly, vitrigraph for stems, and layers of frit to add depth and texture. The vibrant blue background made all the details pop, and you can just imagine how magical it looks lit up at night. It’s such a sweet and functional piece of art!
Pam created a cheerful fused glass plant stake featuring a bright, sunny flower that radiates happiness. She added a huge ladybug for a playful touch, along with vitrigraph for the stem, frit for texture, and colorful murrine to bring it all together. It’s such a vibrant and fun piece—perfect for adding a pop of color to any garden or potted plant.
Occasionally, I like to offer students a little bonus project where they can create pendants, magnets, or keychains using my collection of cabochons and decals. It’s always a hit! In the photos, the bottom row shows off the dazzling variety of designs they had to choose from—so many colors, patterns, and fun motifs. It was like opening a treasure trove of glassy goodness and the students had a blast picking out their favorites to make their own unique pieces.
This class was such a wonderful mix of creativity and fun. With five students, the studio was buzzing with ideas, laughter, and beautiful glasswork taking shape at every table. From Julie’s charming birdhouse plant stake and Jim’s vibrant tree to Christy’s elegant votive, Alyssa’s colorful nightlight, and Pam’s sunny flower stake, every piece reflected each student’s unique style. Adding in the bonus cabochon and decal projects made the day even more special. Classes like this remind me why I love teaching fused glass—it’s not just about the art, it’s about the shared joy of creating something beautiful together.
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
