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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:

Design Techniques: Explore different designs and colour palettes.

Material Knowledge: Explore how to use glass accessories such as confetti, frits, enamels and stringers and the basic theory of glass fusing.

Craftsmanship: how to hand cut glass.

Production Process: Discover how to fuse different coloured glasses learning about how you can shape heated glass.

Workshop Practice: Understand the importance of a safe working environment and H&S requirements for working in the glass studio.

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

Stage 1 - This stage is for learners who are new to their chosen subject area. With the focus on introducing individuals to basic materials, tools, and techniques, and to inspire confidence in creative expression.

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 the Stage 2 Glass Fusing course or 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.

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.

We value and support equality, diversity and inclusion by promoting fairness and respect at all times.

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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