Glass Fusing and Slumping Workshop
for Beginners
Goal of this workshop
We teach you how to combine glass in an artistic pattern and then melt this glass together in a kiln. This workshop is a more technical class than our Fusing Fun 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.
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 AND slumping.
The instructor, Brian Helgerson, author of his book '101 of my first favorite glass fusing techniques", will demonstrate many of his techniques from his book. Including his "6 major rules to make glass fusing more successful".
A few of the things we do in this workshop
- Discussion of the fusing process:
- Firing Schedules
- Glass Compatibility
- Annealing
- Volume Control
- Learn how to Fuse Glass
- Learn how to Slump Glass
- Learn how to make these types of projects in this workshop
- Jewelry, pendants, earrings....
- Night lights, wind chimes
- Candle cup vases
- Picture frames
- Simple slumped plates
- 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
- Stringers,
you learn how to make and bend these in a torch - Use a torch to make cool looking elements like latticinos, drips and dichroic frit
- Fractures
- Frit, powers and enamels
- Iridized and 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
- Stringers,
- Learn how to attach metal or other glass to your projects for hanging, making 3-D projects or design by:
- Special Glass Glues
- Two ways to put holes or tube shaped 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
Some Students Finished Projects - You Can Do It Too!
First Time Projects! - You can do it too!
Student Lucia Yang from Pasadena, CA
Wow, a 16" square mosaic tile using fused pieces!
A circle of fused glass make a 16" mirror frame.
Simple, yet good color and well balanced designs.
Danielle Williams
A students study in frit.
Slumped piece
Time, Tuition and Location
Tuition
- In Paradise, CA - $325 - 3 day see below for hours
- Discount - Sign up with a friend and both of you can take a 15% discount!
- Discount - Re-take this class - You receive a 25% discount if you choose to take the identical class again at a later time.
Location
- Workshop Location: Meet at the School Friday 6 PM
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 HereClass Times and Hours
- Friday from 6 PM to 9 PM
- Saturday from 10 AM to 4 PM
- Sunday from 9AM to 3 PM
- Studio is open to 11 PM for evening open workshop time Friday and Saturday nights.
Cancellation Policy
A full refund will be given for a cancellation that is made on or before the 10th day prior to the class. The day of the class is not included in the 10 days. If the cancellation is made anytime during the 9 days prior to the class, a partial refund will be given which is the amount prepaid less $100.00.
Other workshop information
Sundance Art Glass provides:
- Space
- Knowledge
- Inspiration
- Basic Equipment (you can bring any of your own favorite tools if you like)
What you provide:
- Initiative
- Motivation
- Artistic Talent
- Materials - you will have the opportunity to purchase in class - it does not bother us if you bring glass you already have
- Any other specialized tools - you will have the 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
The box below is probably the best part of our web site! We've compiled hundreds of pictures from our past student's products and categorized them into the time of the individual class. Click below to browse our past classes photo gallery.
Sign Up
The fastest way to sign up or to add your name to our interest or waiting list is to CALL us right now at 1-800-9HOTGLASS
Includes Brian's 6 major rules to make glass fusing more successful.
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.
- Why the real only choice for fuseable glass is Bullseye brand.
- Touch, feel and investigate every choice of glass Bullseye offers us from colors, thicknesses, coatings, and pre-made elements.
- Use of premade elements for fusing such as stringers, frit, fractures.
- Use of pre-coated glass like dichroic and irridized and what effects one can achieve.
Slumping
- Discussion of the 5 different materials that can be used as slumping molds. We use two of these in this class.
- Preparation of mold for slumping; coatings and vents.
- Proper preparation of glass before slumping.
- Firing schedules and temperatures for slumping.
- Not only slumping but also draping and drops.
- Discussions of cures for problem shape molds. More detail given in our Advanced Slumping Class.
Fusing
- 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 limiting 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. And how to intentionally make bubbles in a pattern.
- Use of glues in glass fusing.
- 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.
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