This month, I had the absolute pleasure of hosting another advanced fusing class with Jim, Julie, and Cindy—three talented artists who each have their own kilns and a real passion for pushing their skills to the next level. I love working with this group because they’re always ready to experiment, ask great questions, and dive into more challenging techniques. As you know, I like to do things a little differently in my advanced classes. Instead of my usual fused glass gifts, I surprised each of them with a small slumping mold—something they can take home and continue experimenting with in their own studios. It’s always fun to give them tools that keep the creativity going long after class ends. And of course, no class is complete without a fresh setup! The table was all ready to go—glass, tools, inspiration, and yes… those ever-important liability forms—setting the stage for a full day of learning, laughter, and beautiful creations.
For this advanced session, we explored a variety of techniques and projects—including vitrigraph, which is always a crowd favorite! In a previous class, each of them created their own vitrigraph pots, and this time we got to take it a step further and actually pull from one. The top three photos below show the pots we had to choose from… can you guess which one I picked? I went with the red pot—Julie’s—and it did not disappoint! I’m not sure how I managed to skip taking a photo of the actual vitrigraph pull (I must have been completely in the zone!), but I can tell you it turned out absolutely gorgeous—a rich, vibrant red that we were all excited about.
Since it was Julie’s pot, she had the honor of making the very first pull—a pretty special moment! To keep things fair and give everyone a chance to jump in, we set up a simple rotation: each person did five pulls before passing it along—starting with Julie, then Cindy, and finishing with Jim. This way, everyone got hands-on experience with pulling vitrigraph (which is always such a fun process), and they each went home with the pieces they created. And here’s a little bonus tradition I love: the person who builds the pot gets to keep that very first pull. It’s usually thicker, a bit more organic, and completely one-of-a-kind—making it a perfect reward for the work they put into creating the pot in the first place.
In addition to working with vitrigraph, everyone had a project they were excited to dive into. Jim chose to create a draped vase featuring four trees—a design that always makes a statement. Instead of going with the traditional four seasons theme, Jim put his own creative spin on it by choosing a bold and playful color palette—two blue trees and two red trees. The contrast between the colors gives the piece a vibrant, eye-catching look that immediately draws you in.bWhat really makes this vase stand out is the sense of movement and energy in the design. The pops of color, combined with the flowing shape of the drape, make it feel lively and full of personality—one of those pieces that just makes you smile.
Julie also chose to create a four-season vase but gave it her own creative twist. She added lots of murrine throughout the piece, bringing in beautiful pops of color and intricate detail that really bring the design to life. What I love most about her vase is how the delicate trees seem to emerge from that soft, almost frosted background—it gives the whole piece a dreamy, layered feel. The murrine adds just the right amount of movement and color, making it one of those pieces where your eye keeps wandering, discovering something new each time you look at it. It’s such a perfect example of how combining thoughtful placement with a variety of elements can turn a classic idea into something truly special.
Cindy chose to create a flower—and I have to say, her love of purple definitely matches mine! She selected such rich, beautiful tones that immediately made the piece stand out. The contrast between the deep purples and the warm orange center adds a bold, eye-catching touch, while still feeling soft and elegant. It’s one of those combinations that just works perfectly. We finished her piece by slumping it in a wavy mold, which gave it a gentle, flowing shape that really enhances the petals and brings the whole flower to life. The final result is both vibrant and graceful—a piece that feels just as cheerful as it looks.
Jim and Julie also wanted to try out my powder printer—and I have to laugh a little, because I’ve used it quite a bit and created countless wafers, yet somehow, I still haven’t written a blog about it (I’m hoping to fix that next month!). If you take a close look at the trees on their vases, you’ll spot where they incorporated the powder-printed designs. It’s one of those techniques that adds incredible detail without overwhelming the piece. What I love most about powder printing is how it opens up a whole new level of creativity. It gives you the ability to add fine detail, subtle shading, and unique patterns—perfect for taking a design from beautiful to truly one-of-a-kind.
In addition to all the techniques we covered—including vitrigraph—Julie, Jim, and Cindy also brought along questions about pieces they had been working on in their own studios, which is always one of my favorite parts of these advanced classes. Julie had created a beautiful piece and wanted to add drilled holes, so I walked her through how to safely drill into glass—a skill that opens up so many possibilities for display and design. Jim brought in a piece that had unfortunately broken after being dropped, but instead of letting it go to waste, we turned it into an opportunity. We cut it into smaller sections so he could refire and repurpose it—sometimes those “oops” moments lead to something even better! Cindy came prepared with several great questions of her own. Even without bringing a piece this time, she made the most of the session by diving deeper into techniques and ideas—proof that there’s always something new to learn.
Classes like this are what advanced fusing is all about—experimenting, learning from challenges, and continuing to grow with every piece. Watching Jim, Julie, and Cindy push their skills, explore new techniques like vitrigraph and powder printing, and troubleshoot their own work is incredibly rewarding. These are the moments where confidence builds, creativity expands, and artists really start to find their own voice. I’m so proud of each of them and everything they’re accomplishing, and I can’t wait to see what they create next in their own studios.
If you’d like to see more of my fused glass creations, 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 channel for videos and inspiration! If you’d like to stay up-to-date with my latest projects, classes, and events, I also invite you to sign up for my monthly newsletter, published on the last day of each month. And if you’re interested in taking a class, you’ll find all the details about upcoming opportunities right on my website! If you have any questions about taking classes or would like to schedule one, feel free to email me at elegantfusedglass@gmail.com. I’d love to help you create something amazing when you’re ready!
Keeping my kilns warm,
Karen
