Workshop Studios

Glass Fusing: Layers & Shape

Discover the magic of kiln-formed glass in a calm, beginner-friendly studio setting. Guided by our instructors, you’ll learn the essentials of glass design and safety, cutting and shaping, colour interaction, and how to work with stringers and frit to build texture and detail. We’ll explore firing approaches — from full fuse to tack/partial fuse — and finish by slumping your work over or into moulds to create clean, functional forms.

The suggested project is a coordinated set of plates or dishes, but you’re welcome to bring your own ideas and explore the medium at your own pace. Along the way, you’ll gain a practical understanding of kiln schedules, annealing basics, and how different layers and elements melt together to create depth and luminosity.

Classes are held in our bright, well-equipped glass studio with generous workspace and one-on-one support. A set amount of glass is provided for your projects, with the option to purchase additional glass if you wish to scale up or add complexity. No prior experience required.

Cover image by Portia Scabar

Common Questions & Important Info

Accessibility

Our glass classroom is located in our beautiful sunroom mezzanine, filled with natural light and expansive window banks. Please note that this space is not barrier-free, as it is located on the second level of our building and accessed by stairs only.

We understand that accessibility looks different for everyone. If you have questions about access needs or would like to discuss whether this class will be a good fit for you, we warmly encourage you to reach out to us in advance so we can offer clarity and support where possible.

Temperature & Comfort

One of the incredible charms of Workshop Studios is that we are located in one of Calgary’s oldest heritage industrial buildings, complete with large original windows and lots of natural light. While we’ve installed a cozy gas fireplace in the mezzanine to help keep the space warm, temperature fluctuations do occur throughout the day, especially in colder months or as sunlight shifts.

We recommend dressing in layers so you can stay comfortable while working.

Minimum age / Can I register my child for this class?

The participant must be at minimum 16 years old to be registered and attend class unaccompanied. With wheel-throwing, we do allow participants as young as 15 to register as long as an adult is also registered separately to the same class, and accompanies the child to every class. Our instruction is centred around teaching adults. If a minor is less developed than an adult, they may find our instruction methods and pace challenging. We do not guarantee any accommodation of instruction geared to minors.

Workshop is a mature environment where there are very hot kilns in unrestricted production areas; mature art that can contain challenging matters such as profanity, nudity, and mature & challenging subjects; responsible consumption of legal substances such as alcohol in both common areas and private studios, and marijuana outdoors; and lively discussion that is not censored for young ears. By registering a minor, you are agreeing to the risks and environment that they will be entering. If you are registering as a minor, you confirm that a guardian has reviewed this warning and has consented to you registeringl.

What should I bring?

If you have your own safety glasses, please bring them to class! We will be supplying all the basic tools that you require. We will provide more than enough glass to get you started, but additional glass is available for purchase if you require more.

Your registration includes:.

• One 12 × 12 inch sheet of glass, included in your tuition

Students may instead choose:

• • Two half sheets, or
  • Up to four quarter sheets, allowing for a wider range of colour and texture options

In addition, our studio scrap bins operate as a “take a penny, leave a penny” system. These are a fun way to add small pops of colour or unexpected details to your work. While scraps are a wonderful supplement, they are not intended to fulfill an entire project, and larger or specific glass needs should be met using your included sheets or additional glass purchased through the studio.

Additional glass is always available for purchase if your project requires more material.

What should I wear?

Wear comfortable clothing! The studio has aprons available for all students to wear while working. We recommend long hair be tied back and jewelry be removed before class begins.

How does the firing of my work, work?

We'll be firing your pieces for you in our fusing kilns! After your class is finished, we'll have your pieces ready for you in 2-3 weeks, and ready for pick up.

What about health and safety?

Safety is a top priority in our glass studio. Safety glasses are required (and provided), and each participant in the class is required to keep all surfaces clean, including their workstation, thoroughly before they leave. This is to minimize any risks caused by touching & breathing glass dust.

Our stained glass classes use lead-based solder, which is standard in traditional stained glass practice. Non-leaded solder options are available for students who prefer them; please let your instructor know. Our experienced instructors follow all relevant safety guidelines and will provide thorough demonstrations and instructions on safe handling, ventilation, cleanup, and personal protective equipment. Please note that lead solder is only used in our stained glass classes and not in glass fusing

Practice Hours

All classes include 1 free hour of practice time before and after class (non-mandatory). Students may stay beyond 1 hour after class, provided the equipment is not needed by our members or another class. We also welcome you to come in throughout the week for practice hours if you desire, but ask a few things of you:

• Please be finished and have cleaned up your area at least one hour before the next class starts.
• Practice hours are not available while other classes, workshops, or events are scheduled in the space.

The class calendar can be found here.

Cleanup

Classrooms must be left in a clean condition. Students are responsible for following Workshop’s cleaning protocols, provided & demonstrated in class.

Outside Materials

Students are not allowed to bring glass or other materials purchased elsewhere into class. Glass requires specific temperatures and conditions to fire properly, so you run the risk of damaging your classmates’ work and the kiln when introducing materials that are not approved by the studio. Additional glass can be purchased from Workshop if needed, and includes the cost of firing the additional work you’ll be making with it. Any damage to kilns caused by unauthorized outside materials will be billed to the student (FYI: kilns cost upwards of $5,000).

Cancellations

Classes cancelled within 72h of the start date are subject to refunds only if a replacement is found for your signup. Classes cancelled anytime prior to 72h from the start date are subject to a 5% cancellation fee to cover our processing fees. Classes are subject to cancellations by Workshop in the case of low enrolment. If classes are cancelled by Workshop, you will receive a full refund, including processing fees.

If I miss a class, can I make it up another time?

We are unable to offer make-up classes. For students who know in advance that they will be missing a class, we encourage them to check in with their instructor ahead of that absence to know what they will be missing and how to be on track for the following week by putting in some additional practice hours.

What about Workshop being a safer space?

Everyone has the right to feel safe and included at Workshop Studios regardless of age, ancestry, colour, family status, gender identity, gender expression, marital status, mental disability, physical disability, place of origin, race, religious beliefs, sexual orientation or source of income.

Workshop Studios does not tolerate abusive or discriminatory behaviour. Such behaviour is grounds for removal from the studio and may result in the cancellation of future registrations or a permanent ban.

UNACCEPTABLE BEHAVIOR

Any harassing behaviour which creates an intimidating, hostile, or offensive environment is unacceptable conduct. Harassment includes, but is not limited to:

• Verbal behaviour: Jokes, slurs, derogatory remarks, abusive language
• Physical & visual: Unwanted touching, staring, filming or photographing
• Visual displays: Derogatory items, posters, photographs, drawings
• Verbal advances: Any unwanted or unwelcome verbal contact

If you feel you have been subject to any harassment, discriminatory behaviour or other abuse, please contact a Workshop Staff member. All communication is strictly confidential. We will work with you and if needed, with your consent, with an independent mediator to address the issue.

Anyone exhibiting these behaviours can be asked to leave at any time by Workshop staff. By signing up for this workshop, you agree to read and follow our Safer Space Policy.