June was a busy month in my studio, buzzing with the hum of kilns and the chatter of creative minds. One of my classes was with Meg and her daughter-in-law, Vanessa. As a little thank-you, I offered my usual free-gift buffet—hearts, earrings, pendants in every color imaginable, and cheerful magnets. Of course, no glass class begins without a quick safety talk and those all-important liability forms. Glass may be beautiful, but it has a sneaky side—sharp edges that love to remind us who’s boss. Ironically, despite all my precautions, this class turned into a bit of a blood pact: Vanessa, Meg, and I each managed to give ourselves a tiny cut. Occupational hazards of the glass world!
Since Meg was already a glass veteran, it was Vanessa who was getting her first taste of fused glass magic. To help spark some inspiration, I gave them both a quick tour of my creative spaces. My studio isn’t just one room—it’s a collection of four unique areas, each playing a special part in my glass journey.
- First stop: The Gallery Area, where finished pieces are displayed and waiting to find new homes. It’s a great place for students to gather ideas for their own projects.
- Next came The Finished Room, brimming with shelves of colorful fused glass art available for sale.
- Then The Finishing and Inspiration Room, my personal haven for adding final touches and surrounding myself with pieces that keep my creativity flowing.
- And finally, there’s the heart of it all—The Studio itself. Here, equipment and supplies line the walls, and in the center sits the main table where students bring their visions to life. It’s a space designed to be both practical and inspiring, ensuring everyone feels supported as they dive into their glass journey.
First up was Meg, got right to work on her project with confidence. She decided to make a gigantic plant stake—and it turned out absolutely stunning. I especially loved how she used tiny slices of murrine to create delicate flowers, adding intricate detail and bursts of color to her piece. Throughout the class, Meg moved easily between tools like the grinder and glass cutter, and explored a beautiful mix of materials including vitrigraph, murrine, and millefiori. Watching her piece come together felt like seeing a glass garden come to life.
Vanessa chose to create a beautiful dish, and the result was truly a work of art. Her piece was full of rich textures, giving it depth and personality from every angle. It’s clear Vanessa has a natural artistic talent—her eye for design really shone through in this project. The dish turned out so striking that it could easily be displayed as an art piece on its own. With all those intricate textures, though, I’d definitely keep it as a decorative piece rather than using it for food.
I also offered Vanessa the chance to try her hand at the fused glass decal technique, which is always a fun way to personalize a piece. In the photos, you can see the top row filled with an array of decals and cabochons ready for choosing. Vanessa picked her favorites and created an absolutely adorable frog magnet that reflected her playful creativity.
I always love seeing the unique pieces my students create and the joy that glass art brings to each class. Whether you’re a seasoned glass artist or a complete beginner, there’s always something new to explore in the world of fused glass. If you’d like to experience the magic for yourself, reach out to schedule your own fused glass class by emailing me at elegantfusedglass@gmail.com or visit my website at www.ElegantFusedGlassbyKaren.com. I can’t wait to create something beautiful with you!
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
