Green Glass Class and Workshop

Fuse Glass for Free* Using
Recycled Glass and Found Glass
Garage Sale and Second Hand Store Glass
Bottles, Jars, Plates Anything Glass

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A Class for either the beginner fuser or
the experienced fuser who wishes to learn how to fuse GREEN.

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Goal of this workshop

Want to save the world? RECYCLE Yes, yes yes, every one is green these days. Well now is the chance for you to become green and save the world. We teach you how to use all that glass everyone is throwing away and use it to make glass in an artistic pattern by melting this glass together in a kiln. This workshop is a more technical class than our Fusing Fun one Day Workshop and is designed for the more serious artist. Our goal is to teach how to do larger projects in larger kilns with the greatest success possible.

Two things these classes are about:

We going to show you many techniques on how to use recycled glass.

Were going to show you many examples of what you can make with these techniques.

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You know how easy it is to do "regular" fusing with tested compatible glass. 
But how do you make a chunk of recycled glass that is not compatible and make it look great with textures and colors? That is what this class is all about.
Come join us and learn how!
But why use recycled types of glass? Because it is almost free and of course recycling "is a good thing".

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Click here to see pictures of what students would make from previous Green Fusing Workshops!
7/25/2009 Workshop
10/3/2009 Workshop
1/18/2010 Workshop
1/30/2010 Workshop

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• Discussion of the fusing process:
  • Firing Schedules
  • Glass Compatibility
  • Annealing
  • Volume Control
• Learn how to Fuse Glass
• Learn how to Slump Glass
• Learn how little electricity it takes to fire a kiln, as little as 15 cents. We will show you how to calculate how much (or how little) your kiln uses. Electric Kilns are "Clean and Green". In fact, except for the small amount of energy used to melt the glass, fusing recycled glass is 100% GREEN! Nothing goes into the air and we show you how to use up every last bit of glass so nothing goes into the landfill.
• Learn how to make these types of projects in these workshops
  • Jewelry, pendants, earrings....
  • Night lights, wind chimes
  • Candle cup vases
  • Picture frames
  • Fused and slumped plates
  • Put your own artistic design on the popular plate or bowl
  • Make an open weave basket plate
  • Full sized window panels, cabinet door panels or skylights
• Learn how to make and use these elements in your projects
  • Learn how to texture glass.
  • learn how to use frits, powders, enamels, stringers and fractures
  • Learn how to color the glass using 4 different methods in Green1 and Two more ways In Green2.
  • Using Dichroic Glass
  • Brian shows you how to incorporate metals into and on glass
  • He demonstrates how to sign your art pieces with a gold signature
• Learn how to attach metal or other glass to your projects for hanging, making 3-D projects or design by:
  • Glass Glues - Learn which glues work for glass.
  • Two ways to put holes   in your glass
  • Metal inclusions - which metals work and what effect they show.
• Trouble Shooting
  • Learn the 7 reasons why glass will bubble
  • Learn the 8 reasons projects crack
  • Learn why colors and shapes change
  • Learn the 4 reasons why one should do a pre test firing
• Discussion of Kilns, Controllers and Equipment

* Fuse glass for free (ALMOST).

HOW OUR CLASS IS DIFFERENT FORM OTHER CLASSES!

• Learn with a world class instructor with 35 years experience in glass working and over 20 years in glass fusing experience, who has taught 1000's of classes. Plus knowledgeable assistants and staff.
• Learn in a world class teaching studio. Our classroom and workshop area has the latest and most complete setup available. Each student has a well lit comfortable work area with plenty of elbow room for working on their projects. Equipment available for use in this class include:
  • Use of Kilns and Kiln Controllers (All classes)
  • Use of cold working equipment: diamond tools; grinders, lap wheels, drill bits, etc. (All Classes)
  • Use of Sandblasters. We give you a "taste" of sandblasting in Green1 Workshop
• Many classes limit the size and quantity of projects you can make in class. In this workshop there is almost no limit to the number of projects you can make in the class for learning purposes. We have large and multiple kilns, so everyone can make large and multiple projects.
• We have seen other peoples teaching studios where they have the students jammed shoulder to shoulder. In our teaching studio we have plenty of room to spread out and work.
• You will have access to a huge selection of different shaped molds used to slump your projects.
• Everything is provided in the workshop including glass. (You will need have your own glass cutter which can either be  purchased at the class or bring your own if you already have one.)
• You can be more creative when you have access to the large selection of glass; colors, dichroic etc. Available in our studio store is a huge variety of glass for fusing.

We hear stories about people walking into their local stained glass store and signing up for a "fusing" class. They end up only fusing small pieces like jewelry, never learning about slumping, not ever seeing the fusing process let alone getting their hands on a kiln to use in class. This is NOT how our class is. You will be able to fuse multiple large pieces (or small). You will have the opportunity to personally use a kiln, learning how to use the two types of kiln controllers. You will learn the detailed  techniques of fusing in this Green class.

What Past Students have said about their class.

Thank You So Much For The Wonderful Weekend! I Had A Blast And Learned A Ton!!! Can't Wait To Implement What I Have Learned Into My Projects. You Two Are "gems"! You Made Us All Feel Right At Home And Even From The First I Felt At Ease. You Are Truly Amazing!!
Brian, Great Job In Teaching! Shannon, You Are A Wonderful "assistant"...but, You Also Are A Great Teacher As You Showed Us The Wonderful World Of Paint. Blessings To You Both!!
Nancy - Kansas

Absolutely the best fused glass workshop I have ever attended! I have been fusing glass now for 8 years and learned so much from you and your lovely "assistant" Shannon. Your willingness to share your extensive knowledge is so much appreciated. I am ecstatic about going full force into "green" fusing and can't wait to take what I've learned and start creating. Thanks again for such a wonderful experience and I look forward to coming back to another workshop. Best, Amber - Utah

I Had So Much Fun At The Green Fusing Class! As Usual You Were Generous With Your Knowledge, Encouraging Our Creativity, And Tons Of Fun To Be With. Thanks So Much. Edie - San Diego, CA

Time, Tuition and Location

Tuition

• In Paradise, CA - $325 - 2 day see below for hours. Materials are included in this workshop!
  • Discount - Sign up with a friend and both of you can take a 15% discount!
  • Discount - Re-take this same class - You receive a 25% discount if you choose to take the identical class again at a later time - for a refresher course.  If you come again and bring a new friend, you can use both  discounts -  15% plus 25% is a 40% discount! (your friend would receive the 15% discount)

Location

• Workshop Location: Meet at the School Saturday at 10AM
  • Class is at our Paradise CA Studio Location: 1010 Bille Road, Paradise, CA 95969 (Click Here for Google Map) This is different from our main store location.
    Studio Phone  530-872-5081 Keep this number with you in case you while traveling in case you need to call us for directions. (we are not always there during the week, please don't leave messages)
  • Main store phone 530-872-3021 (We are always there during business hours)  Call here to sign up or for questions.
  • Our main supply store location is also in Paradise, CA at 6052 Foster Road 95969.

Out of town visitors
Motel accommodations

Reserving your space

We have many people who ask us to put their names down but your spot is reserved only when your tuition is paid. The only way to reserve a date is by paying the tuition.

Class Dates

Click Here

Class Times and Hours

• Saturday from 10 AM to 4 PM
• Sunday from 9AM to 3 PM
• Saturday evening from 6 to about 9. (optional evening workshop)

Deposit, Refund and Cancellation Policy

Click Here to see our deposit, refund and cancellation policy.

Other workshop information

Sundance Art Glass provides:

• Space
• Knowledge
• Inspiration
• Glass and materials for the workshop planned projects. If your ambitious and want to make more or larger than the planned projects, glass is available for sale in the class or use the recycled glass you have brought.
• Basic Equipment (you can bring any of your own favorite tools if you like)

What you provide:

• Initiative
• Motivation
• Artistic Talent
• Materials - OK to bring your found and recycled glass; window glass of any thickness (clean real good ahead of time, you may also have to soak or clean in a lime removing cleaner like "Line-a-Way). Also bottles, jars, wine bottles are good (pre-clean any labels). You don't have to bring anything, we have it here for you for the planned class projects. We have lots of wine bottles here too (we have been working hard emptying those bottles)
• You must bring two tools; a glass cutter and a glass pliers. Each student needs to bring / buy their own glass cutting tools; a glass cutter, pliers, and any other specialized tools you like to use. Please mark your tools. All other tools are provided in class including the circle cutters. If you do not already have the tools, you will have an opportunity to purchase in class.

What to wear and bring:

• Bringing your lunch allows you to be able to work during lunch break. Or step out for a lunch break.
• The classroom has a great heater and air conditioner, so bring any comfortable clothing.
• Closed toe footwear REQUIRED.

Pictures of what we can do in class (more coming later)

Cutting Glass

• You will become an expert at cutting glass pieces including small intricate pieces using 6 different tools.
• You will become an expert at cutting and making glass circles, large to very small using 7 different tools and methods. The 8th method is done in the intermediate class.
• The 4 tips to make cutting glass circles with a circle cutter successful.

The Glass We Use

• The discussion of the different choices of glass types for fusing, which work and which do not.
• Discussion of the Coefficient of Expansion (COE) of glass from COE4 to COE126.
• Which recycled glass will work for us.

Fusing in Green

• Preparing a kiln shelf for glass fusing using three different materials.
• Preparation of glass before firing.
• How to produce a shiny smooth surface with over glazes and methods to limit devitrification.
• Discussion of 4 reasons why glass cracks during fusing and how to limit the chance of cracks.
• How to limit the chance of unwanted bubbles in your projects.
• Demonstration of two ways to intentionally make bubbles in your glass pieces.
• How to keep the kiln wash from sticking to the back of the glass.
• Three different ways to remove kiln wash from the back of the fired project.
• Demonstrations on making glass jewelry; pins, barrettes, pendants, holes in pendants.
• Discussion of different glass glues and why you should try to avoid glues.
• Discussion and demonstrations of 4 ways to hang or attach glass; drilling holes and making holes
• Demonstrations on metal inclusions; which metals glass fusers work with and how to use them.
• You will have the opportunity to fuse many and large fused projects.