Glass Fusing Workshop - All Abilities

Course intent

Discover glass fusing and gain a ‘hands-on’ experience of working in this beautiful and inspiring media in our specialist studio. Fusing glass produces beautiful and brilliant combinations of colours and pattern. You will produce small, glass pieces such as hanging decorations, coasters, dishes, small jewellery items or pieces to integrate in a stained-glass panel, or mosaics if you have complementary skills in those areas.

What will I learn?

You will learn:

• how to fuse different coloured glasses
• how to use glass accessories such as confetti, frits, enamels and stringers
• how to cut glass accurately
• the basic theory of glass fusing.

The fused pieces will be ready for collection from the centre about 5 to 10 days after the course.

Who is this course for? Is there anything I need to know before joining?

This course is suitable for all abilities from beginners to those who wish to expand and consolidate their glasswork skills, for example introduce fused highlights in their leaded or foiled project.

People on blood thinning medication should inform the tutor at the start of the course.

What do I need to bring to the first class? Will there be any extra costs?

You will need:

• A notepad, pencil, pen and rubber
• Waterproof fine or very fine marker pens (ideally a Sharpie in a metallic colour and a very fine black)
• Graph or squared paper to the size of your project (on sale in the classroom if needed)
• A piece of greenhouse glass, new or reclaimed (not toughened nor safety glass), size about 1 sq. ft., the shape is irrelevant. This is to learn and practice cutting on. (on sale in the studio if needed)
• A clean cotton tea towel for drying glass
• Safety or over spectacles goggles (on sale in the studio if needed)
• to wear old clothes/apron and sensible, closed toe shoes (absolutely no open toe sandals)
• It is a good idea to do some research beforehand and arrive with potential projects/ideas to develop in addition to those that will be suggested by your tutor

If you choose to work on a technique that requires a specialist face mask, you will be provided with one Face Fit Protection (FFP3) mask and you are expected to take this home and bring it back for all subsequent classes. Should you forget your mask, a replacement will have to be purchased.

Access to the Stained Glass studio is via the Harvey Road entrance.

What can I do when I finish the course?

You can join a stained glass course where you can learn about building a panel with leads (architectural stained glass) or copper foiling (Tiffany technique to create small items such as hanging panels or mirrors). Learn to paint on glass with traditional grisaille or enamels. All classes have kiln access so you can further develop fusing skills. All skills and techniques complement each other in the creation of a stained glass panel or object.

Additional information

We welcome learners with additional needs and disabilities. When you enrol, please let us know if you would like to discuss your extra support needs with a member of the Supported Learning Team who will then contact you as soon as possible. If you are enrolling within 10 days of the course start date, we may not be able to contact you before your first class.

How to enrol

Our courses are for adult learners aged 19 or over. If you are under 19, please call 0300 200 1044.

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