This month, I hosted another fun and fabulous private fused glass class. Amber discovered me through Google (which always makes me smile!) and brought along her mom Amy, her friend Sam, and Sam’s daughter, Penny, for a few joyful hours of glass fusing magic. As a thank-you, I love surprising my students with a little fused glass gift—and since I had three classes packed into one weekend, I may have gone a bit overboard! Magnets, pendants, hearts, drilled pieces, and stirrers… it was basically a mini glass treasure chest! ???? Naturally, I had my trusty liability forms out too—because while creativity is the goal, glass can still bite. Safety first, sparkle second… and fun always!
Everyone was new so I gave them a tour of my studio spaces to help spark some inspiration! My studio includes three main areas (not including the studio itself):
- The Finished Room — filled with a myriad of fused glass pieces available for sale.
- The Finishing and Inspiration Room — where I work on final touches and display some of my favorite pieces that bring me joy and creative energy.
- The Gallery Area — where every piece is available for purchase, and students can find even more inspiration for their projects.
Here’s a peek at my studio, all set up and ready for creativity! I love preparing individual workstations for each student so they feel welcomed and inspired the moment they walk in. Amber’s group wasn’t quite sure what they wanted to make at first, but after exploring my gallery area and choosing finished pieces, inspiration struck. With a gorgeous selection of vitrigraph, murrine, and millefiori available, ideas started flowing fast. These colorful glass elements are always a crowd-pleaser—and the perfect spark for imagination!
First up is Amber—she created this absolutely stunning night light featuring a whimsical field of flowers and a sweet little hummingbird. After browsing a few of my examples for inspiration, Amber carefully selected her favorite murrine and millefiori pieces, taking her time to find just the right combination. She even used my strip cutter and grinder to shape everything to perfection. I always encourage students to place their creations in the kiln themselves—it’s a special part of the process that really brings the magic of fused glass to life!
Next is Amy, who created one of my classic “vase of flowers” night lights—with her own special twist! She added a charming little butterfly murrine for an extra touch of whimsy. She got hands-on with the strip cutter and even used the flat lap grinder to shape her glass just right. Most instructors don’t have all the tools I provide in my studio, and I truly believe that having access to professional equipment helps students fully explore their creativity. Isn’t her piece just beautiful?
Sam chose to create a delightful “spring aspens” night light—and didn’t it turn out beautifully? She captured the fresh, vibrant feel of a spring forest, complete with trees, pops of millefiori, and adorable details like a tiny bird and a buzzing bee. It’s such a cheerful and whimsical piece! I love when students add their own personality to their artwork, and Sam’s design is a perfect example of that playful creativity.
Last but definitely not least is Penny—who had an absolute blast creating her very own spring tree night light! Her piece is full of personality and fun little surprises. If you look closely, you’ll spot a penguin, a fish, and several other whimsical details tucked among the trees and greenery. To keep things extra safe, I pre-cut and ground the base glass for her so she could focus on the fun of designing without worrying about sharp edges. And when it came time to load her piece into the kiln, she was just a bit too short to reach—so we grabbed a step stool and made it happen! Her creativity and enthusiasm truly shine through in this cheerful, adorable piece.
I absolutely love teaching private classes—especially when they’re shared with family and friends. There’s something so special about watching loved ones create side by side, encouraging each other and laughing along the way. This class was no exception! Amber, her mom, Sam, and sweet little Penny were a joy to work with, and seeing their unique personalities come through in their creations was the best part of all. Penny especially brought such bright energy to the studio—she was a delight to teach! Here are a few behind-the-scenes photos of these wonderful ladies in action, hard at work on their beautiful, fused glass pieces.
Occasionally, I like to offer my students a free bonus project using a fun fused glass decal technique—and this class was no exception! Here are some photos of Penny, Sam, and Amber working on their decal pieces. Somehow, I missed snapping a photo of Amy while she was creating hers (I must’ve been distracted by all the creativity happening!), but she made a lovely butterfly design. Penny created an adorable “I love my cat” pendant, Sam made a fun frog magnet, and Amber designed a sleek dolphin magnet. The bottom row in the photos shows the variety of decals and cabochons they had to choose from—so many fun and unique options to spark their creativity!
Sharing the joy of fused glass with students—especially during private classes like this one—is truly one of my favorite things. Watching each person explore their creativity, try new techniques, and making something they’re proud of is such a rewarding experience. Whether you’re looking for a unique activity with friends or a special family bonding moment, a private fused glass class is a perfect way to make memories and beautiful art. If you’re interested in scheduling your own class, I’d love to create with you! Just reach out to me at elegantfusedglass@gmail.com or visit my website to learn more.
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
