What a fun class this was! We had two brand-new students, Christine and Lisa, joining us, along with two of seasoned fusers, Cindy and Kim. Just like every class, we kicked things off with a safety talk and the liability forms, making sure everyone was comfortable and ready to create. I also laid out a table of free gifts—pocket hearts, crosses, magnets, suncatchers, and a playful mix of pendants—so each student could pick a little thank-you for being there.
Before diving into our projects, I took the group on a little tour of my fused glass studio. What surprises most people is that it isn’t just one space—it’s really four unique rooms, each with a purpose: cutting, finishing, inspiration, and displaying finished pieces. Walking through them gives students a sense of the variety and flexibility of fused glass, and I love watching their faces light up when they see all the possibilities. Each room has its own personality, and together they tell the story of my creative process.
- The Finished Room – brimming with a wide array of finished fused glass creations, each one ready to find a new home. It’s a colorful, inspiring space where students can see the endless possibilities of glass.
- The Finishing and Inspiration Room – the place where I complete the final touches on my work, while surrounding myself with favorite pieces that spark joy and fuel creativity.
- The Gallery Area – every piece here is available for purchase, but it’s more than just a display. I love seeing students pause here, because so often it’s where they find that little spark of inspiration that helps them decide what they want to make.
The Studio – the beating heart of my fused glass world, stocked with everything from sheet glass and frit to vitrigraph and murrine. At the center sits the main table, where students gather to cut, design, and watch their ideas become dazzling finished fused glass artwork.
Christine came with her sister Lisa, and the two of them decided to create night lights. Christine’s design was stunning—a bold red vase filled with flowers. She discovered a beautiful red vitrigraph for the vase, added a delicate murrine bird, and then topped it off with some wonderfully large, colorful murrine flowers. The finished piece is cheerful, vibrant, and full of personality.
Like her sister Christine, Lisa decided to make a night light, and hers turned out just as fabulous. She started with a base of confetti glass, then added my big sunflower millefiori to create a cheerful garden scene. By shaping it into a dome and adding a tiny ladybug and bee, she gave the piece such charm and personality. I especially loved watching Lisa and Christine place their projects into the kiln themselves—it’s such a fun and memorable part of the process.
Although Kim has experience with fusing, this was her very first class with me. She arrived with a sketch in hand and asked if we could turn her vision into reality—a large-scale garden art piece. Her inspiration was poppies, which happen to be one of my favorite flowers too. Together, with some guidance along the way, she brought her design to life in glass. The result was breathtaking, and I couldn’t be prouder of her accomplishment. It’s so beautiful I did my best to talk her into keeping it in the house verse putting it outside.
Cindy has been with me for so many classes, and she decided on a coral vase for this session. She worked so well on it, and I was sure it would be perfect. But fusing has its unpredictable side, and in the glass world we like to say, “the kiln gods decided otherwise.” You can see some photos of her vase as it was coming together, but the final version will have to wait. I’m planning a separate blog all about what happens when things don’t turn out the way we expect.
This class was such a wonderful mix of new students and seasoned fusers, each bringing their own creativity and ideas into the studio. From night lights to garden art to coral vases, the variety of projects reminded me just how versatile fused glass can be. I love seeing students push themselves, try new techniques, and leave with something meaningful—whether it’s a finished piece or a lesson learned for the next one. My classes are designed to give students the chance to explore, learn, and create something that’s entirely their own. If you’d like to try fused glass for yourself, I’d love to have you join me in the studio!
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
