This class was particularly meaningful to me because all of the ladies are special needs moms. That connection resonates deeply, and it made our time together even more special. Like every class, we started with a quick review of safety requirements and liability forms, and then I gave them a choice of free gifts including magnets, pendants, pocket hearts & crosses, as well as suncatchers as my way of saying thank you for coming to the studio.
Christina had joined me for a class before, but the other three ladies (Chelsa, Lisa, & Alisha) hadn’t, so we kicked things off with a tour.
- Our first stop was the Finished Room, full of jewelry and colorful glass creations that are available for purchase—it’s also where I snap most of my photos.
- Then we visited the Finishing & Inspiration Room, where I add the last touches to my projects and surround myself with favorite pieces that keep my creativity going.
- We finished in the Gallery Area, where completed pieces wait for new homes and students often spark ideas for their own projects. They each chose their inspiration and then we went to the studio.
Finally, we stepped into the studio itself. The shelves are full of equipment and supplies, and in the middle is the big table where students sit down to turn their ideas into reality. Because this is my own working studio, it’s packed with treasures—sheet glass, frit, murrine, millefiori, vitrigraph, and so much more. Every student has tools waiting for them, so they can dive right into the fun of creating.
First up was Christina. She chose to make a photo stand inspired by one of the pieces I had created. Using frit, murrine, and millefiori, she built a design that is both beautiful and functional. I love these photo stands so much that I even keep one in my home in Westcliffe—they make fantastic gifts and are a joy to use.
The next project was Lisa’s, and she created a dish that proves simple can be spectacular. The glass she chose was gorgeous on its own, and she added just a few pieces of murrine for extra detail. After cutting, we fused and slumped it into a lovely, functional shape. What I love about dishes like this is their versatility—they can be used as spoon rests, trinket or jewelry holders, soap dishes, tea bag caddies…the list goes on!
Chelsa didn’t waste a moment—she came in with a clear idea and drew inspiration from one of my nightlights. Her project turned into a gorgeous spring aspen design, complete with millefiori, frit, and my little aspen element. Watching her put it together was a joy, and the finished piece is simply stunning.
The final project belonged to Alisha, who set out to make a pocket vase. Typically, students decorate these with flowers, but as I was showing her how to build the shapes, I noticed she didn’t look happy. I asked her what was wrong, and she smiled and said, “I don’t want flowers.” That was all I needed to hear! I asked about her favorite colors, and when she answered teal, I pulled out a handful of stunning teal glass sheets. She picked a favorite, added accents of vitrigraph and dots, and created a pocket vase that turned out simply gorgeous.
At the end of class, I introduced the ladies to the fused glass decal technique. It’s one of my favorite “bonus” activities because it lets students make something small and personal, like a pendant, magnet, or keychain. The table was spread with decals and cabochons for them to choose from, and it was wonderful watching them pick designs that spoke to them. These little extras are not only fun to make but also give everyone an extra piece of art to take home.
I loved spending time with these amazing women. Christina leads the group, and I’ve had the joy of teaching her and several other special needs moms before. They are all strong, creative, and caring, and it means so much to me to provide a little creative respite from their everyday challenges. Watching them relax, laugh, and make beautiful glass art was such a gift.
If you’d like to experience the magic of glass for yourself, reach out to schedule your own class by emailing me at elegantfusedglass@gmail.com or visit my website at www.ElegantFusedGlassbyKaren.com. 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
