I always enjoy welcoming both new and returning students into my studio, and this class was no exception! As everyone arrived, we began by completing the liability forms and getting settled in before the creativity began. Then it was time for one of my favorite traditions—each student selected a patriotic fused glass gift as a small thank-you for joining me. From pendants and magnets to tiny dishes and stir sticks, there were lots of red, white, and blue treasures to choose from. It’s a simple way to celebrate America’s 250th birthday while adding a little extra fun before we start creating beautiful, fused glass together. We began class by reviewing studio safety and completing the required liability forms. Once the paperwork was finished. With safety covered and gifts in hand, we were ready to begin our fused glass adventure!
Before we started cutting glass, I took everyone on a tour of my fused glass studio. Since Jase—my talented young artist—and his mom, Shana, had taken a class with me before, it was fun to welcome them back. Joining them were Pandy and Claudia, who were both brand new to fused glass. We visited each of my studio spaces, including my finished room where newly fired pieces are waiting for pickup, my finishing room where coldworking and final details happen, and my gallery filled with inspiration and completed artwork. I always enjoy sharing the entire creative process because it helps students see just how many steps go into transforming a simple piece of glass into something beautiful and unique.
- Our first stop was the Finished Room, one of the brightest and most colorful spaces in my studio. The room is filled with fused glass jewelry, dishes, artwork, and decorative pieces available for sale. Everywhere you look there’s sparkle, texture, and color. It’s also my favorite place to photograph my work because the natural light and vibrant surroundings make every piece come alive. Students always enjoy seeing the variety of projects on display and learning about the different techniques used to create them.
- Next, we stepped into the Finishing & Inspiration Room, which is exactly what the name suggests—a place where projects receive their final touches and where creativity seems to constantly grow. This room holds some of my favorite fused glass creations, along with pieces that inspire future ideas and new designs. I always think it feels a little magical because one project often leads to three more ideas before I’m done. By this point in the tour, creative wheels are usually turning as students begin thinking about colors, shapes, and possibilities for their own projects.
- We wrapped up the tour in the Gallery Area, where completed fused glass pieces are displayed while waiting to find their forever homes. I love ending the tour here because it helps students imagine the possibilities for their own creations. Watching first-time fusers realize just how many different things can be made with glass is always exciting. That spark of inspiration—and the realization that they can create something beautiful themselves—is exactly what fused glass is all about. ✨
By the time the tour was finished, the studio was ready and waiting for a day of creativity. The tables were set up with glass cutters, running pliers, grozing pliers, cutting mats, cleaning supplies, and an abundance of colorful glass just waiting to be transformed into something special. There’s always a fun sense of anticipation at this point in class as ideas begin taking shape and students start imagining what they want to create. Because everyone was new to fused glass, I wanted the studio setup to feel welcoming, organized, and easy to navigate. My goal is always to create an environment where students can focus on being creative rather than worrying about tools or techniques. Before long, everyone was sorting through glass, comparing colors, sharing ideas, and getting excited about their projects. It’s one of my favorite moments in every beginner class—that point where curiosity takes over and the creative adventure officially begins.
First up was Jase, and he never disappoints with his imagination! He created an adorable robot suncatcher using graceful curves of vitrigraph for the arms and legs, giving it so much personality. I especially love the little cardinal perched in the tree above him—it adds such a fun touch to the scene. In addition to his suncatcher, Jase also painted the sweetest little faces on several bird magnets. His attention to detail and creative ideas always make his projects a joy to watch come together.
Before we even started working with glass, Jase surprised me with the sweetest gift—a 3D-printed cat that he made just for me! It’s bright red with the cutest little face and so much personality. I was truly touched that he took the time to create something so thoughtful. I absolutely love it, and it now has a special place in my studio. It’s moments like these that remind me that the friendships built through teaching are just as meaningful as the art we create together. Thank you, Jase—I will treasure my little cat!
Shana was next, and she drew inspiration from one of my display bowls to create her own beautiful design. I love how she made it uniquely hers by carefully selecting each piece of murrine and millefiori to complement the scene. She thoughtfully arranged colorful flowers, graceful birch trees, sparkling water, and delicate little birds to create a peaceful nature setting. Her attention to detail really paid off, and I can’t wait to see all of the colors come alive after it’s fired and slumped into a bowl. It is going to be absolutely stunning! Shana also did me the honor of buying two pieces of my fused glass artwork a bee garden stake and one of my flowers. It means so much to me when one of my students buy my glass artwork.
Pandy chose to create a simple yet elegant dish, but I thought it would be fun to introduce her to one of my favorite techniques—slurry. She was willing to try something new, and I’m so glad she did! The slurry added beautiful movement, depth, and texture while still preserving the clean, elegant look she envisioned. To make it even more special, we added a stencil using sulfur glass over copper-bearing glass. During firing, the sulfur reacts with the copper, creating a stunning chemical reaction that produces rich, organic patterns unique to each piece. The results were absolutely gorgeous! It’s amazing how one special technique can transform a simple dish into something truly one-of-a-kind, and I can’t wait to see it after the final firing.
Claudia found inspiration in two of my suncatchers and combined elements from each to create a design that was completely her own. I love how she mixed transparent colors with different textures and specialty glasses to give her piece depth and interest. She also incorporated murrine, frit, and dichroic glass, adding little surprises throughout the design. Although she was new to fused glass, she wasn’t afraid to experiment, and the result is a beautiful modern suncatcher that sparkles from every angle. I can’t wait to see it after it comes out of the kiln!
As if their main projects weren’t enough, everyone also had the opportunity to create a special decal piece. Jase made a cute little Christmas tree brooch or pendant that will be perfect for the holiday season. Shana created a beautiful shell magnet using murrine and leaves, giving it a lovely beach-inspired look. Pandy designed a sweet heart pendant in beautiful shades of pink, and Claudia chose an elegant blue rose pendant. It was fun watching everyone personalize their pieces, and these little projects are always a favorite because they’re a great way to learn new techniques while creating something unique to take home.
What a wonderful day filled with creativity, laughter, and beautiful glass art! Every class reminds me why I love teaching. Watching students explore new techniques, gain confidence, and create pieces that reflect their own unique style is incredibly rewarding. I also want to extend a heartfelt thank you to Shana for purchasing two of my fused glass pieces. There is no greater compliment to an artist than having someone fall in love with your work and choose to take it home. Your support truly means more than you know. Thank you, Jase, Shana, Pandy, and Claudia, for spending the day with me. I can’t wait to fire your projects and reveal the finished masterpieces! If you’ve been thinking about trying fused glass, I’d love to welcome you to one of my classes. No experience is needed—just bring your imagination, and we’ll create something beautiful together.
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
