Menu of Classes

In this workshop, create wearable mini mosaic pendants designed with colorful stained glass bits and Millefiori (Italian for "a thousand flowers") in a 1" square, round, or rectangle pendant tray. Choose pendants in finishes of antique bronze, brass, or silver, with a matching chain or colorful cord, or matching metal keychain. The mosaic is secured by an epoxy-based grout in black, white, or other colorful choices. For a final touch, the pendant surface will be enclosed in crystal clear jewelry resin.

Skill Level: All Skill Levels

Unlike traditional metalsmithing, which uses the extreme heat of an oxygen/fuel flame, jewelry made by "soft soldering" is done by using a soldering iron at a much lower temperature. This is especially important when working with cold glass. We will be using a lead-free solder (tin/copper). We will cover: basic glass cutting, grinding, copper foiling, creating decorative foils, basic soldering, decorative soldering techniques, wire work, working with broken bits of pottery, ceramics, and found objects, and making jump rings and eye pins.

Skill Level: All Skill Levels

Pique-Assiette, translated as “Stolen Plate”, is a mosaic technique in which plates, cups, pottery, ceramics, etc…, are broken and used to create a design. Students will employ the direct mosaic method by using found ceramic objects and broken dishes of various patterns.

Skill Level: Intermediate/Advanced

This class will cover the indirect mosaic technique. The project will be a garden stone decorated with colorful and reflective stained glass. Students will learn basic glass cutting and grinding, and will be able to choose their glass colors and patterns as available. After cutting and shaping the glass, students will hand mix and pour the concrete stone, which will be suitable for all-weather exposure.

Skill Level: Beginner/Intermediate

The Direct Method in Mosaics utilizes tesserae applied directly to a substrate. In this case, the tesserae are hand-cut bits of stained glass. Students will choose skill-level appropriate designs and learn about adhesives, substrate options, and grouting.

Skill Level: All Skill Levels

A refreshing departure from the sometimes tedious nature of stained glass crafting, this contemporary spin on mosaics pairs the allure of illuminated colored glass with the ancient art of picture building with tesserae (small tiles). Tesserae will be created from stained glass in varying shapes and sizes and mounted with clear adhesive onto a substrate of clear glass and then framed for hanging. A darkened grout sets off the design much like lead lines in a traditional stained glass window.

Skill Level: All Skill Levels

Illuminate your favorite space with your own handcrafted Tiffany style flat panel lamp. From soft, light-diffusing opalescent glass to sparkling jewel-tone cathedrals, students will be allowed to choose their own color and texture combinations. Appropriate for students who have advanced to an intermediate skill-level in the copper foil method, this class will help to reinforce basic skills and also introduce building and soldering a 3-D assembly.

Skill Level: Intermediate/Advanced

As a beginner, it might seem a little counter-intuitive to break glass on purpose, so give yourself time to get the feel for it. All students start with the basics of the copper foil (Tiffany) method: glass cutting, grinding, foiling & soldering. Students will complete a free-form suncatcher from a variety of patterns and glass combinations. Once you have your first project behind you, a world of possibilities is open to you!

To get started, go to the Instruction tab and either follow the link to register for the Crash Course through The ArtsCenter, or fill out a Contact form to inquire about Private Instruction.

Skill Level: Beginner

Once you have your first project behind you, I always recommend that students quickly tackle another copper foil (Tiffany method) project to build on and reinforce what you have just learned. Your second project will allow you a little more creative freedom. It is also a good opportunity to get experience with framing.

Skill Level: Beginner/Intermediate

This class is for students who are proficient in the copper foil method and have progressed to an intermediate level. Students will learn the terms and techniques of stained glass in the leading method and will design and construct a medium-sized window hanging or insert.

Skill Level: Intermediate/Advanced

Once the basics of stained glass are acquired through the Stained Glass Crash Course ( follow Instruction tab), or the equivalent through privately scheduled sessions (use Contact form to inquire), students are welcome to join Open Studio to continue learning any number of methods (see Menu of Classes on Instruction page) that are skill-level appropriate. There are no registration procedures, contracts or obligations to continue or to complete a set number of classes. Open Studio is pay-as-you-go, open-ended, and students may participate as often as they like to work on ongoing personal projects with guidance available as needed.

Skill Level: All Skill Levels