Welcome to a fabulous class where we used bullseye glass with 3 returning students (Julie, Jim, & Cindy). That being said every class begins with a quick reminder: glass is sharp and can cut you, so I always review liability and safety before we get started. I hand out a small free gift to spark inspiration—it’s one of my favorite traditions showing my students my appreciation for taking classes with me. Students were able to choose from magnets, suncatchers, crosses, and heart pocket pieces.
Even though Cindy, Jim, and Julie have all taken classes with me before, I still like to remind everyone that the Finished Room and the Finishing & Inspiration Room are always open for them to explore.
- The Finished Room is a vibrant space filled with a myriad of fused glass pieces available for purchase, showcasing the variety and beauty of completed creations.
- The Finishing & Inspiration Room is where I add the final touches to my own work and display some of my favorite pieces that spark joy and creativity.
We also made a stop in the Gallery Area, which never fails to stir up inspiration. It’s fun to see how it works differently for each student—sometimes pointing them toward what they’d like to create, and other times helping them rule out what isn’t their style.
Once inside the studio, the first step was picking out the base glass for each project. I gave my usual reminder: please don’t pull glass off the shelves without asking. Because I keep both 90 and 96 COE glass in the studio, mixing the two will ruin a piece. Since this class focused on Bullseye, I took extra care to block off some of the 96 COE glass—you can even spot that in the photos.
Julie’s last project in class was a plant stake, and it turned out beautifully. This time, she decided to go big—one of my mantel sconces! Because she’s always admired my aspen designs, we chose a gorgeous piece of glass as her base. I gave her some tree patterns to choose from, and she painted them with such attention to detail. Her winter aspens look incredible. It makes me so happy to see a student fall in love with the same subject I love to create
Next up was Jim, who you might remember from his last class when he created a fun and vibrant tree. This time, he challenged himself with a huge pocket vase. The hardest part was narrowing down the glass—my shelves are full of incredible options! In the end, he chose a breathtaking pink base. With the extra detail of vitrigraph and murrine, plus a little coaching, Jim ended up with a self-standing pocket vase that turned out simply stunning.
Cindy has created so many wonderful pieces in my classes that it’s hard to showcase them all. This time, she really leveled up with a breathtaking design. She crafted a serene ocean scene featuring three graceful jellyfish, accented with fish murrine, layers of frit, and hand-pulled vitrigraph. The finished piece is tranquil, flowing, and truly captures the beauty of the sea.
This class was a joy from start to finish. Seeing returning students push themselves with new techniques and larger projects is inspiring, and their finished work show of how exciting, fused glass can be. From winter aspens to a bold pocket vase to an ocean scene full of jellyfish, the possibilities are endless. Each time I teach, I’m reminded that creativity grows when we share it—and I can’t wait to see what future students will dream up next. My upcoming classes start at $30 per person, with a $20 non-refundable deposit to hold your spot. If you’re ready to create your own one-of-a-kind glass piece, sign up today—I’d love to create with you!
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
