We have been holding workshops & classes in Fused Glass, Silversmithing & Silver art clay for over 6yrs. The Silver Zebra studio is based alongside Deborah's Dairy farmhouse set in the beautiful countryside of Cheshire. Courses inc materials, lunch, homemade cakes & refreshments made using local organic produce. For specific course requirements please call 01270 526014 or email mail@thesilverzebra.co.uk Courses are booked with a deposit & can be paid securely by credit/debit card - alt cash/cheque. Click here for our workshop gallery!


~ 'Silver Art Clay' & 'Silversmithing' Workshops please click HERE ~

     

~' Workshops in all aspects of Fused Glass '~

We tailor the day to suit you! From the complete beginner to advanced!

 

Classes can be anything from contemporary sculptures, wall panels & bowls to modern & unusual glass jewellery! Which ever course attended you will use professional components & have plenty of individual tuition to create projects and to ask questions. Many have gone on to a full time hobby or career with the support of Deborah.

So, what can I learn?

  • How to create your own unique designs
  • Learn to cut & decorate glass using materials such as: inclusions, frits & stringers.
  • Learn about sculpting glass!
  •  Compatibility of glass & which to purchase for fusing
  • Working with sheet/float glass & recycled glass inc bottles!
  • Pate de vere, slumping, fibre board work, printing, painting on glass, calligraphy/lettering!
  • Drilling, grinding, engraving, gilding with silver/gold leaf glass.
  • Starting out, firing cycles, hints & tips, kiln use/care advice, health & safety.

Although the courses are in-depth they are also fun! & very relaxed. . . see the lovely testimonials given by others who have enjoyed their time here, with many booking to come back for more!

email Deborah at mail@thesilverzebra.co.uk or call 01270 526014 to book or request more details.

~~ * 2012 Fused Glass Courses & Workshop Dates * ~~

Blog by friendsofglass An insight into Deborah's addictive fused glass workshops STUDIOBLOG


Unless stated classes listed are suitable for total beginners

 

Introduction to 'Fused Glass' workshop  10-5pm  £120 Inc materials, refreshments & lunch!

Feb 8th or 17th

March 4th or 23rd

April 8th or 15th

May 20th

Learn all the basics & more in just 1 day! Inc easy, safe glass cutting techniques, stacking, slumping, as well as getting to grips with oxides, stringers,paint & frits. We will also guide you through the importance of glass COE rates & which to buy for those thinking about starting out in fused glass. We offer both v.easy projects to the more complex ones for those wanting to jump in the deep end. We also cover safety issues & how to get started in the big exciting world of glass fusing. You can create as many projects as time allows! bowls, small wall panels, sculptures, jewellery & coasters to name a few! A great course for a relaxing creative day out or, a starting point for anyone wishing to undertake an unusual hobby or a new creative business! Max class size 8. Relaxed classes & professional, but fun too.

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If you prefer to have a piece created by Deborah herself,  just call or email the studio for details

Fused Glass Jewellery course  £75 inc all materials, lunch & refreshments 10am - 4pm

Feb 8th or 19th

March 13th

April 10th

                 

Your day begins with an exciting introduction to glass fusing, including cutting skills & some technical information. This course is suitable for complete beginners or those already creating jewellery with other materials! We will then start the design process taking an in-depth look at colours, textures & shape. Throughout the day you will experiment with glass, frits, metal, wire & inclusions. You will be shown how to create holes & fittings as part of the fused glass piece & will also experiment with bails. In addition to making cabochons from sheet glass, this course also introduces students to the exciting world of painting on glass inc easy tips for those not comfortable with a brush.

We aim to give students a large eclectic taste of jewellery making skills, & the opportunity to try as many techniques as possible. You will create quite a few pieces of jewellery on this course! in fact, as many as you can make in the time allowed. This is a super course for those looking at creating jewellery to a professional standard for a new business or hobby even.

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1 day Introduction to fused glass kiln carving [sculpting shapes in glass] Create three 15 x 30cm wall panels and 25cm vessel or bowl    £115 inc all materials & lunch

Feb 8th

March 10th

April 6th

           

 This is one of our most popular & exciting fused glass courses as the end results can be both stunning & very different from just the basic flat or full glass fusing techniques. Your projects will have a sculpted,embossed look,very tactile and opens up a new world to your flat glass projects. The class is suitable for both intermediates and total beginners! We will guide you through the process of cutting & working with glass, frits, paints & boards to create reliefs & moulds as well all the basics in glass fusing & sculpting. Sample pieces will also be made time permitting. If you are looking to advance your skills in glass, this is the one to take part in.

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3 day in-depth Fused Glass crash course!  Make at least 12 projects!  10am - 4pm   £220 inc all materials, refreshments & lunch. Please call / email if you require local B&B details. If you wish to book on 1 or 2 days only please call for fee costs. [places are limited so please book early]

Feb  17th 18th & 19th  [3 places left]

March 23rd 24th & 25th [2 places left]

May 13th 14th & 15th

 1st day -What will I learn? Lots! All the basics of glass fusion you need inc: easy glass cutting, creating interesting shapes, types of glass you can fire for fusing, safety, tools & how to use frits, stringers & many other compatible materials. What will I make? Set of  4 coasters & a free standing sculpture. In the afternoon you can choose to make a 25cm bowl, vessel or wall panel. [this day is the same as our intro day - see above]

2nd day -What will I learn? Kiln care, use, preparation & programmes, we will also go through vital temps for fusing & slumping your glass. Lots of Tips & tricks! You will learn about how to incorporate glass paints, enamels, draw with frits, adding or removing bubbles in your work & how to make delicate glass lace & small cast elements with freeze n fuse!
What will I make? Slumped set of 3 bowls or vessels! Set of small casts and candle bridge.

3rd day - What will I learn? Kiln carving methods to add relief to your work, manipulating glass noodles. How to incorporate inclusions: Experiment with leaves, organic inclusions, mesh, metals inc gold & platinum! & wire. What will I make? Sculpted & tack fused set of 3 wall panels using all the elements from your last 2 days & kiln carving techniques. Three 10 x 30cm wall panels. [can be slumped also] Time allowing please feel free to create extra samples of work.

**All you need to know and more to get started in the fused glass world**

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Design & create your own 'Fused Glass Wall Panel'  Size 40 x 60cms !! 
£145 inc all your materials, refreshments  & 2 course farmhouse lunch! [alt size specifications by prior arrangement  are available]

Feb 18th, 19th or 24th

March 6th or 25th

April 2nd

    

This popular workshop is suitable for total beginners, intermediates or improvers. We will guide you through our very easy step by step process creating a fused glass wall panel using your very own design or we can assist if you don't have one, so drawing skills are not essential. You will use glass, frits, stringers & oxides to name just a few to create your panel! *Sizes can be to your specification if arranged prior to your class. You are also welcome to cut down your panel into sections of any size or shape.
This project is ideal for those wishing to create their very own unique glass wall panel! We will give advice on hanging your work and will gladly offer fixings information. You will end your day with an exciting insight into glass fusing, cutting skills & knowledge of a broad spectrum of materials.

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'THE NEXT STEP'   3 day in-depth  Fused glass intermediate course. £265 inc all materials, refreshments & lunch [you can also book on single days]

April 6th, 7th and 8th [ 2 places left ]

This 3 day course is for intermediates or anyone that has already completed some sort of introduction course in fused glass.

            

Day 1/ Using the basic skills you have already accomplished here or elsewhere, we will help you to design, map out and create a embossed kiln carved glass panel  40 x 60 cms. Working on a larger project can open up your designs as well as incorporate several disciplins at once. Throughout the day we will introduce you to new tools & materials, glass grinding, paints, miccas, organic elements, oxides & metals to incorporate into your panel. Don't worry if you can't paint, we will show you some easy tips & ideas! This will be an experimental approach to your inclusions & materials & how we can alter the way they react with each other. . .with some suprises!

Day 2/ You will be creating a Triptych of kiln carved glass 10 x 30cms panels. We will be concentrating on achieving a detailed layered design using the masking technique along with enamels, paints & frits as well as manipulating glass noodles & glass lace to add detail to the design. We will also show you how to apply metals inc: platinum, silver & gold accents! This course will help you to work with design dimensions & depths in fused glass to bring your work to a higher standard than novice level incorporating lots of textures and detail.

Day 3/ Gilding and glass engraving 20 x 20cm panel. [can be slumped into a bowl] + Bring along x4 glass bottles or more [they must be the same bottles] and we will show you how to turn them into a stunning free standing sculptures or a unique bowl. We will also go through the do's and dont's of working with recycled glass with hints and tips along the way. In the afternoon we will have a 1hr Q & A session on working with fused glass.

*NEW!!! Addition to this course..... You will design and create a 20cm square tile using ceraboard. Ceraboard can be used to create moulds, casting boxes and carved for relief/embossed work.

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New courses for 2012 . . . !

2 day workshop: 'Fused Glass textures, detailing and kiln carving' to also include the expanded use of 'ceraboard' - A  new exciting course suitable for beginners or intermediates. £145 inc all materials, refreshments & lunch 10am - 4pm

March 24th and 25th [only 2 places left]

May 26th and 27th

Design and create a sculpted 30cm wall panel and 25cm square or round bowl or vessel using kiln carving methods, organic elements and ceraboards. You will design both intricate sections in your work as well as bold carving blocks to hlep give your pieces depth and tactile qualities. You will also be able to use enamels,paints and frits in your work. You will also have plenty of time to create small samples of work to refer back to after your course here. We want to show you how to move your basics in glass fusing onto a professional level. [sure to be a popular course]

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Working with 'recycled glass' -  suitable for beginners or intermediates.  £80 inc all materials, refreshments & lunch. 10am - 4pm

Feb 20th [full]

March 8th

April 14th [only 2 places left]

     

 This workshop will show you how to explore the exciting process of working with recycled glass, both in kiln formed methods as well as cold working, so this workshop will mean that you can continue with your skills as home with your kiln or without. We will show you a variety of projects you will be able to complete on the day inc: T light holders, bowls, sculptures, beaded trinket dishes, candle holders, garden lights, spoon rests and cheese boards to name but a few! So bring along those empties and we will show you what you can make with them [we will also have plenty of bottles for you to work with here at the studio]

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2 day Calligraphy & Lettering Workshop with guest tutor Peter Halliday - £165 inc all materials, refreshments and 2 course farmhouse lunch  [Class suitable for all skill levels]

31stMarch & 1stApril [3 places left]

This wonderful workshop will explore the world of calligraphy and letter forms to find exciting ways of adding an extra dimension to your design and craft work. We have been very lucky to have a guest tutor such as Peter, and I am sure this will be a most rewarding workshop for us all.

Letters and words can add layers of communication, and the workshop will entice you to use language as an additional dimension in your work. We will explore calligraphic forms, type and decorative letter fonts using various media such as: drawing, collage, pen work and painting. No previous knowledge needed!

   

By the end of the two day workshop you will have produced a variety of experimental works exploring decorative letters and the use of short quotations, and interesting thoughts-in visible form. The aim is to enable you to use the workshop as a starting point to introduce letters and words in *future work with glass, book binding or just taking the skills home to use on cards and paper work.

*[there will be future workshops added very soon! combining the above with book binding, lettering on and in glass, paper craft and cards. Attendees on these courses from this workshop will receive a £20 discount]

Do take a look at Peter's work www.peterhalliday.co.uk

 

Please call: 01270526014 or email mail@thesilverzebra.co.uk to book your place thank you 

Private tuition is available by request & must be booked 2 weeks in advance. The cost is £48 per hour & inc all materials & refreshments. [min 3 hrs] Tuition can be arranged to suit, eg fused glass, sculptures, bowls or panels etc. Silversmithing, silver art clay or glass jewellery. We can also advice on starting up in the art/craft or jewellery world. Please call the studio for further details.

We can offer full weekends as well as mid week courses with great accommodation only 5mins away from the studio. Please call or email for details.
 
Course vouchers in: Fused glass - Silver clay or Silversmithing! Ideal Birthday, Xmas or Mothers day etc. Gifts for those creative friends & family. Vouchers are posted out or emailed if your within 24hrs of ordering. Please call or email for details or book through our store pages thank you
   

 Some of the many projects you can create at the studio!

platters, coasters, sculptures, jewellery, wall panels, tiles, trinket dishes, cake stands, bowls, window hangers & garden ornaments! . . . . & we always welcome new ideas!

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Booking terms & conditions can be found on the FAQ page but will also be included in your booking confirmation.