3315 Castro Valley Blvd.
Castro Valley, CA 94546
510-537-6270
Beginning Stained Glass (Thursday nights)
The beginning class is a great place to learn the basics of glass crafting. Students begin with a class project. Patterns, glass selections, glass grinders, and basic tool usage are explained as the class progresses through the creation and building process. As the project nears completion, soldering and finishing options are discussed. After the first project is complete, the students are free to begin a project of their own choosing. All students are encouraged to visit and work on their projects any time there isn't a class. Open shop hours are usually between 10:00 and 5:00 Monday and Friday, 12:00 and 5:00 on Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday, and on the weekends.
Intermediate/Advanced (Tuesday and Wednesday nights):
The Intermediate/Advanced class picks up where the Beginning class stops. Students are taught the use of the glass saw, along with tips and techniques on glass cutting and selection, on their projects at their own pace. One of the biggest advantages of this class is that there are students with various skill levels, usually eager to help each other with problems that come up. All students are encouraged to visit and work on their projects any time there isn't a class. Open shop hours are usually between 10:00 and 5:00 Monday and Friday, 12:00 and 5:00 on Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday, and on the weekends.
There is an option of choosing two different nights for this class. Tuesday night class features mostly students who are interested in warm glass crafting, such as fusing or slumping projects. Wednesday night class features mostly students who are interested in perfecting their stained glass skills.
SEE
Making Jewelry
The jewelry class teaches students the basics of creating jewelry. Students are shown techniques that include using layered and dichroic glass. Options discussed include glass layering alternatives, glass colors, types of glass, etching, fusible slide paper, and hi- and low- fire decals. Students discuss the best ways to mount their jewelry pieces. Students are also shown the skills needed to fire their jewelry pieces in a small kiln. This class is excellent for getting ideas for projects and questions answered if you have already taken a jewelry class, but still are a bit fuzzy on some of the techniques used. For those interested in fusing glass, this is a great way to try it on a small scale with a minimal investment.
Typically, the jewelry class runs one full day from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on a Saturday. Lunch is included. Periodically, we offer wire wrapping classes. Please contact us if you are interested in attending one or both of these classes.
Decorative Soldering
Decorative soldering explores the relationship of solder type to temperature. Students create a soldering "board" on which they practice the various types of decorative soldering techniques, including spatter, pearl, bamboo, and hammered. Also taught is how to bridge gaps and spaces between solder joints, as well as how to create free-form strings of solder. If you feel you need help with your soldering skills, this is the class to take! Even if you decide you don't really want to use the decorative techniques, your soldering skills will take a step forward. This class is fast-paced and fun!
Leaded Bevels
Do you want to have fun exploring the basics of using bevels and lead? Students taking this class will need to purchase bevel clusters, hammer, nails, and lead dikes before signing up for the class. The class begins with a discussion of how to create a pattern using the bevel cluster as the center of the design and a bevel border. Background and border glass selection is also covered. As the project advances, the focus is on accurate measurement in laying out the design and making sure the pattern is square and frameable. Basic leading techniques are taught and discussed at each step in the creation process.
This class typically covers three days. The first day is a full Saturday from 10:00 a.m. to 4 p.m. On this day, the pattern has been designed and layed out by the student. Usually, the student is ready to cut the background glass prior to the next two days' work. The second and third days are the following Saturday and Sunday. During these days, the project really comes together. By the end of Saturday, the project is usually ready for the final steps of puttying and cleaning. Students are encouraged to wear old clothes and aprons for Sunday's final steps. By the end of Sunday, the project is finished and ready for framing.
Those students who want their work framed can arrange to have the shop frame their finished projects.
Students are taught the uses of basic tools, including glass grinders, glass saws, and for the fusing students, project preparation prior to firing. Two of the benefits of taking classes are free use of shop equipment during non-class time, during the week and weekends when classes are not being held, and being exposed to many people of various skill levels who are only too glad to help and share.
Individual lessons on the weekends are available, call for details.
CLASSES
Bevel Lead Class - $90.00 + Materials
Sat. Sept 11 Sat. Sept 18 Sun. July 19
12:00 - 7:00 12:00 - 7:00 12:00 - 7:00
Intermediate/Advanced (6 weeks) - $85.00 + Materials
Tuesdays 6:30 - 9:00 Wednesday 6:30 - 9:00 Friday 6:30 - 9:00
Starting August 10th -or- Starting August 11th -or- Starting August 13th
Beginning Stained Glass (6 weeks) - $75.00 + Materials
Thursday 6:30 - 9:00
Starting August 12th
Glass Fusing with Kaiser-lee Board - $110 (materials included)
Saturday, August 21st
12:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m.
COME JOIN THE FUN!
Mosaic Birdbath
Explore the wonders of mosaics. You can use glass, ceramics, metal, dichroic, and found treasures. You have a choice of making a birdbath, stepping stone or table top.
Wind Chimes
Learn to create indoor wind chimes. Glass for project is provided.
Glass Fusing with Kaiser-Lee Board
In this class, we will cover basic glass fusing and fusing with the use of Kaiser-Lee board. You will be creating two fused projects. The first will be a pendant with an opening for a chain. The second will be a spoon rest, small bowl or work of art. The molds you will be creating can be used over and over again, unlike fiber paper, fiber felt and fiber blanket which has a one-time use. We will also introduce the mold-block system using Kaiser-Lee board. All materials will be provided for the two projects including the items needed to cut and carve the Kaiser-Lee board, which will be yours to keep.
