During May, I had the pleasure of welcoming three new students to my studio—Sheryl, Matt, and Jutta. One of my favorite things about teaching fused glass is introducing people to the art form for the very first time and watching their excitement grow as they discover all the possibilities glass has to offer. As always, we started the class by reviewing studio safety and completing the required liability forms. Once the paperwork was out of the way, it was time for one of my favorite traditions—a free fused glass gift! Each student was invited to choose from a selection of stirrers, pocket hearts, pocket crosses, pendants, magnets, and other small fused glass treasures. It’s always fun watching everyone browse through the choices and decide which special piece they want to take home. With the forms signed, gifts selected, and plenty of anticipation in the air, Sheryl, Matt, and Jutta were ready to begin their fused glass adventure. Little did they know, by the end of the class they would be creating beautiful pieces of their own while learning new techniques, exploring their creativity, and having a lot of fun along the way.
Because Sheryl, Matt, and Jutta were all first-time students, I wanted to make sure they felt comfortable before jumping into their projects. Rather than heading straight to the glass, we spent some time exploring the studio rooms and getting familiar with the creative spaces. I always enjoy introducing new students to the world of fused glass because most people are surprised by just how many techniques, tools, colors, and possibilities exist.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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 begin imagining the possibilities for their own creations. Watching new students look around and suddenly realize, “I could make something like this,” is always exciting. That spark of inspiration is exactly what fused glass is all about.
By the time we finished exploring the studio areas, Sheryl, Matt, and Jutta were eager to get started. Their workstations were all set up and ready to go with glass cutters, running pliers, grozing pliers, cutting mats, cleaning supplies, and plenty of colorful glass waiting to be transformed into art. For new students, this is often the moment when everything starts to feel real. The questions begin, ideas start forming, and suddenly they’re imagining what their finished pieces might look like. I always enjoy watching first-time students take in the studio setup. At first, the tools and supplies can seem a little intimidating, but it doesn’t take long before curiosity takes over. Before long, they’re sorting through colors, holding pieces of glass up to the light, and discussing design ideas with one another. It’s amazing how quickly confidence grows once they realize they don’t need to be artists to create something beautiful. One of my goals is to make the studio feel welcoming and relaxed, especially for beginners. Fused glass should be fun, not stressful. By the time Sheryl, Matt, and Jutta settled into their seats, the nervousness had faded, the creative energy was flowing, and everyone was ready to begin their fused glass adventure.
Sheryl, who immediately proved she wasn’t afraid to take on a challenge. Rather than choosing a simpler beginner project, she selected a unique vase design featuring beautiful shades of blue glass. From the start, I could tell this piece was going to be something special. The combination of transparent and opaque blues created wonderful depth, movement, and visual interest throughout the design. As the project evolved, it quickly became apparent that this vase was going to be larger and more dramatic than either of us originally anticipated. Sometimes that’s one of the fun surprises of fused glass—you start with an idea, and the kiln has plans of its own! After the piece was fired and assembled, I decided to add a base to give it additional stability and presence. What emerged was no longer just a vase. It transformed into a stunning glass sculpture. The flowing organic shapes remind me of ocean waves, coral, sea grass, or even abstract ribbons dancing through the air. The varying shades of blue and clear glass create beautiful movement from every angle, making it a piece that reveals something new each time you look at it. For a first-time fused glass student, Sheryl took on an ambitious project and absolutely knocked it out of the park. Her willingness to think outside the box and embrace a more artistic design resulted in a truly one-of-a-kind piece that is both elegant and striking.
Next up was Matt, who chose a project that looked deceptively simple at first glance. I really love the design Matt selected. The combination of the soft blue glass with the whimsical tea-themed saying makes for a fun and functional piece. It’s the kind of dish that would be perfect for tea bags, spoons, jewelry, or simply displayed as a decorative reminder that sometimes the solution to life’s problems is a good cup of tea. The finished dish only contains a few pieces of glass, but what makes this project special—and much more challenging—is the screen-printed design. Screen printing on glass is one of those techniques that requires multiple steps, patience, and a little bit of trust in the process. Unlike many fused glass projects that are completed in a single firing, screen-printed pieces involve several stages. First, the glass is cut, assembled, and fused flat. Once that firing is complete, the enamel must be carefully mixed and applied through a screen to create the design. The piece then goes back into the kiln where the enamel is permanently fused into the glass while the dish is simultaneously slumped into its final shape. Because screen printing can be a bit time-consuming, I have students practice the technique on a sample piece first. This allows them to learn how the enamel behaves, how to pull the screen properly, and how the process works without having to make a second trip to the studio. Matt practiced on his sample then I completed the screen printing on his fused piece before giving it its final firing. So while Matt’s dish was making its journey through the various firing stages, a few new creations of my own were born as well. Since I already had the enamels mixed and the screen-printing supplies out, I decided to make a few additional screen-printed dishes of my own at the same time.
Last but certainly not least was Jutta, and she was having so much fun that she decided one project simply wasn’t enough! Instead, she created two beautiful, fused glass pieces, each showcasing a completely different style and technique. Her first project was a stunning transparent dish featuring colorful strips of glass and a contour fuse. I love how the transparent glass allows the colors to shine while the contour fuse adds texture, dimension, and gentle movement across the surface. The finished dish is bright, cheerful, and full of personality. It’s a great example of how a relatively simple design can create a striking finished piece. Not content with making just one project, Jutta also created a beautiful flower plant stake. This whimsical piece combines delicate leaves, colorful glass accents, and a charming flower design that will look wonderful displayed in a houseplant, garden pot, or flower bed. The playful details and vibrant colors make it impossible not to smile when you see it. What impressed me most was Jutta’s enthusiasm and willingness to try different techniques. By creating both a contour-fused dish and a decorative plant stake, she experienced two very different sides of fused glass art in a single class. Best of all, both pieces turned out beautifully. For a first-time student, that’s quite an accomplishment!
This class was a wonderful reminder that no two students—and no two projects—are ever alike. Sheryl took on an ambitious sculptural vase that transformed into a stunning work of art, Matt explored the multi-step world of screen printing with a fun and functional tea dish, and Jutta jumped in with so much enthusiasm that she created not one, but two beautiful pieces. Even though they were all brand-new to fused glass, each of them approached their projects with curiosity, creativity, and a willingness to learn. One of the things I enjoy most about teaching is watching students discover what’s possible with glass. By the end of class, the uncertainty that often comes with trying something new had been replaced with confidence, excitement, and a collection of beautiful finished pieces. It was such a pleasure spending the day with Sheryl, Matt, and Jutta, and I hope this first fused glass experience is just the beginning of many more creative adventures to come.
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
