Fused Glass Workshops in Washington, DC
Create something beautiful, explore the possibilities of fused glass, and enjoy a relaxed, hands-on workshop designed for beginners and curious creatives of all ages.
Discover the beauty of fused glass while creating your own unique jewelry. Explore color, texture, dichroic glass, iridescent glass, and other decorative elements as you design pieces that will be fired and finished after the workshop.
No previous glass experience is needed. All materials, instruction, kiln firing, snacks, and water are included.
Choose Your Workshops
Explore the possibilities of fused glass while creating your own glass artwork. You'll learn how glass behaves, experiment with color and texture, and build your own design from a wide selection of glass, frit, dichroic, and iridescent materials.
No previous experience is necessary. You'll have plenty of guidance, but your finished piece is entirely your own.
Give someone an afternoon of creativity, conversation, and hands-on art. A Joy of Glass gift certificate can be used toward a beginner fused glass workshop in the DC studio.
Fused glass is a little different than you might expect.
These are not glass-blowing workshops. Instead, you'll work with glass while it's cool—cutting, arranging, layering, and combining pieces to create your design. The kiln does the rest, fusing your creation into a finished work of glass art.Workshops are held at the Joy of Glass studio in Washington, DC and typically take place on Saturday or Sunday from 1–4 PM. After purchasing a workshop, you'll complete a short form with your availability so Merrilee can work with you to find a workshop date that works. Workshops are currently available only to participants able to attend at the DC studio.
Plan for a weekend afternoon in the studio
a workshop designed around you
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Every workshop is carefully planned to give you a balance of instruction, creativity, and unhurried time to work. You'll learn the fundamentals of fused glass while having the freedom to make your own choices about color, composition, texture, and design.
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You'll never be asked to create something a certain way or told what your work is supposed to express. Merrilee demonstrates techniques, answers questions, helps you work through ideas, and offers suggestions when you want them.
You are encouraged to experiment, ask questions, look at what others are creating, and learn from one another.
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Workshops bring together a wonderful mix of people—from kids and families to adults and seniors. Some participants arrive with a clear idea of what they want to create. Others simply want to see what happens when they start working with glass.
Both approaches are welcome.
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All of the materials you'll need are included, with a wide range of colors, textures, and special effects to explore—from dichroic and iridescent glass to frit, transparent and opaque colors, and other decorative elements.
You'll have the opportunity to experiment with different combinations and discover how they interact when fired in the kiln.
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One of the pleasures of Joy of Glass is having so many materials to explore. Your workshop includes access to a wide variety of glass colors, patterns, textures, and special effects, including:
Dichroic glass with brilliant, shifting color
Iridescent glass
A wide range of colored and transparent glass
Frit, or small pieces of crushed glass
Decorative glass elements and accents
A variety of shapes, textures, and other materials for layering and design
All of the glass and materials you need for your workshop are included. Snacks and water are also provided.
You'll have the opportunity to see the materials in person, experiment with combinations, and discover how they change when they're fired.
A Joy of Glass workshop isn't about everyone making the same thing. Each workshop is thoughtfully designed to introduce you to the possibilities of fused glass while giving you the freedom to make something that feels like your own.
You'll have guidance when you need it, plenty of materials to explore, and time to experiment, create, and enjoy the people around you.
A Three-hour creative afternoon
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Come in, get comfortable, meet the other participants, and settle into the studio.
Help yourself to snacks and water. This first part of the workshop is intentionally relaxed—it's a chance to get oriented, meet the people you'll be creating alongside, and begin the afternoon at an easy pace.
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Before you start creating, you'll learn what makes fused glass so fascinating.
You'll be introduced to how glass behaves, how different pieces of glass interact with one another, and what happens when glass goes into the kiln. You'll learn how heat changes the material and how you can use color, shape, texture, layering, and other glass elements to build a composition.
You'll also learn some of the basic techniques you'll use during the workshop, including how to work with the glass safely and thoughtfully.
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Now it's time to create!
Explore the colors and materials, develop your idea, and begin building your first piece. Merrilee will be available throughout the process to answer questions, demonstrate techniques, help you troubleshoot, or simply offer another perspective when you want one.
There is plenty of room for experimentation—and no expectation that everyone's piece will look alike.
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With your first piece underway, you'll have the opportunity to move on to your second project and continue exploring the materials and techniques you've learned.
You may find yourself returning to an idea from your first piece, trying something completely different, or discovering a combination of colors and textures you didn't expect.
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As the workshop comes to a close, you'll have time to make finishing decisions, collaborate on ideas, and get any last-minute help you need.
Once your pieces are complete, Merrilee will prepare them for firing in the kiln.
Then you'll head home—and let the kiln do its work.
Your pieces won't be ready to take home today.
Fused glass needs to be fired in the kiln after the workshop. Some pieces require more than one firing. Finished pieces are generally ready for pickup 2–3 days after the workshop at the earliest.
Kind Words From the Studio
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It was such an awesome experience! You are such a joy to be with, as well as to learn from!
— Former Customer
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Thank you for making our time together extra special and memorable!
— Former Customer
Your Questions, Answered
Still have questions? Take a look at the FAQ or reach out anytime. If you’re feeling ready, go ahead and register for a workshop.
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Not at all. The workshops are designed to introduce you to fused glass, so beginners are very welcome. You'll receive an introduction to the material and process before you begin creating, and Merrilee will be available to guide you throughout the workshop.
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No—and that's an important distinction!
These are fused glass workshops, not glass-blowing classes. You work with cool glass to cut, arrange, layer, and design your pieces. Your work is then fired in a kiln, where the glass pieces fuse together.
Glass blowing involves working with molten glass at very high temperatures. Fused glass gives you the opportunity to work with the material at your own pace before the kiln transforms your design.
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No. Your pieces need to be fired in the kiln after the workshop.
Some pieces may need to be fired more than once, depending on the design and desired finish. Pieces are generally ready for pickup 2–3 days after the workshop at the earliest.
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You'll be told when your pieces are ready for pickup. Please don't come back to collect them until you've received confirmation that they're finished.
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Please pick up your work within 30 days. Finished pieces cannot be left at the studio for longer than 30 days.
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Yes. The workshop fee includes the glass, decorative elements, tools, instruction, and kiln firing. You'll have access to a broad selection of colors and materials, including dichroic glass, iridescent glass, frit, and more.
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The workshops attract a wonderfully varied group of participants, from kids 8+ to seniors. The important thing is being able to participate in the hands-on activities and follow the studio guidance.
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Absolutely not!
You don't need to consider yourself an artist to enjoy working with glass. You can arrive with a specific idea or start by looking at the colors and materials and seeing what catches your eye.
The workshop is about exploring, learning, and making something of your own—not about having a particular artistic skill level.
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Yes. Many people come with a friend or family member, but you are very welcome to come on your own. The workshop is naturally social, and you'll have the opportunity to meet and create alongside other participants.
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Yes. Private group workshops can be a wonderful way to spend an afternoon with friends or family. If you have a group, get in touch to discuss creating a workshop experience around your group.
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All workshops are held in person at the Joy of Glass studio in Washington, DC.
Workshops are currently available only to participants who are able to attend at the DC studio location.