Approx. Material Cost: $20-$50 (Prices will vary depending on glass choices)
Experience Required: None
Type of Class: Demonstration and hands-on project
Class Description: Stained glass has once again become popular. Of course that's why you're here. This is a great place to get started. Students will be taught the basic copper foil method, including safety, types of glass, patterns, cutting, grinding, foiling, soldering, cleaning, patinas, and framing. Everything you'll need to know to carry on this fabulous art form. NOTE: You may want to bring a snack/lunch for an optional lunch break or you may go out to get lunch.
Safety:.Not to fear, glass is safe however we do have a few safety procedures to ensure this. Closed toed shoes are recommended when cutting or handling glass. Safety glasses should be worn during class. Glasses will be provided if necessary. It's not recommended to work with solder or lead if you are pregnant.
Tools & Materials Included: The use of our grinders, saws, glass cutting and soldering tools. Copper foil, solder and zinc framing are included.
Additional Tools & Materials: None
Optional Tools & Mateirals: Students may want to purchase a stained glass kit for class use and home. IF you want to continue on with this here are a few of our favorites.#6980A Ez-Pro Stained Glass Start-Up Kit OR #6992 Premium Start-Up Kit OR #69100 Deluxe Stained Glass Took Kit #2404
NOTE: You are encouraged to purchase glass before the day of class if possible. There will be some time in class to select glass if you are unable to come to Delphi before the class. We have free patterns for the class. Please ask for one for your glass selection.
Cancellation Policy: Life happens, we totally understand. If you are unable to join class, please contact us at 517-394-4685, or leave us an email at [email protected], prior to class starting for a refund or to be added to a future class.
Pros : Instructor (Roy) was fun, informative, and helpful throughout. Very patient and understanding with our group of beginners.
Includes all steps from beginning to end - picking glass, cutting, grinding, foiling, soldering, framing, cleaning.
Cons : Long day if you don't know what you're in for.
Other Thoughts : Students should know what they're signing up for and that it will be a full day with lots of information.
Ask for class pattern beforehand and be prepared for what colors / patterns you would like to use. The warehouse is overwhelming and it can be difficult to pick out glass that will all go well together in the relatively short time you get to shop.
Pros : The classroom set up was well-established with work stations and equipment. The associates working during the class (outside the learning environment) were amazing: great listeners, professional individuals and overall understanding helpers. They assisted me and problem solved like a team to keep me as a customer - and convince me to come back to try the class again with a different instructor.
Cons : Teacher was an expert at her craft, but not a good teacher. She didn't like that I had questions. She seemed frustrated with me and a few others when we didn't have our glass or pattern yet. She rarely helped me - but I noticed she helped others. She would often wait for me to make a mistake (break my glass) before assisting. Her help was, "You'll need to purchase another piece of glass."
Other Thoughts : I left at lunch time because I was so frustrated with this teacher. While she seemed very experienced, she did not know how to work the room, assist or help teach the newbies. She assumed after one 40 min speech (mini-lesson) that we would all be ready to go. I personally think the project is way too larger for a new learner. As an art teacher, I would never expect my students to do something so big and difficult the first time which would only bring on frustration. I think this class should entail a small piece with. basic cuts and the skills needed to put it all together. Your staff (3 ladies at the front desk on 11/19) were amazing, patient and kind. Because of them, I will attend this class again with a different instructor.
Pros : Steena was a very patient instructor answering a myriad of questions and providing hands on how to. It was intense for sure... completing a full project of this size in one day. I took this class as a brush up and learned so many new techniques and tools of the trade. I came prepared with pen and pad and did take notes! I'm proud of the beautiful piece I created. I'm looking forward to my next (shorter) class. Lol!
Cons : There's a level of stress involved in trying to complete a piece in one day. However, for the out of towners... it makes sense. I myself am local and would opt for a two day class or a shorter project next time. I was exhausted by the end of class as were some of my classmates and perhaps our instructor as well. So worth it though for the added skills I obtained.
Other Thoughts : I'm happy to have enough info to confidently work on projects at home. I know I can call the store anytime to ask questions as well. The staff are all most helpful and kind.
Pros : We traveled from Mentor OH to take the class! I learned a lot from Jeanette and the store was awesome! I was like a kid in a candy store! It was worth the drive and would come back. Cannot stress how much Jeanette was helping everyone she very knowledgeable and super professional and fun! Great person! My hubby made a lot of new girlfriends too!! Lol! Gina
Cons : There weren’t any!!!
Other Thoughts : Wishing for a closer store to CLE area!
Pros : Incredibly knowledgeable instructor, great option for people from out of town or who can't commit to a multiple-week class, all of the steps to get started in stained glass in one day! A wealth of information and instruction with immediate feedback from a professional on how you can improve your technique--something you can't get from a book or video!
Cons : Trying to go through all of the steps in your first stained glass project in one day is certainly "intense" (there's a reason most introductory classes span several weeks), so you might feel a little rushed, but if you show up well-rested and ready to learn, you will get so much out of this class.
Other Thoughts : Roy is an outstanding teacher! He has many years of experience and a passion for glass, yet he's approachable and was very supportive of everyone in the class even though we varied in experience and skill level. He showed us how to perform each step of the process as a beginner and what precautions to take to get the best results, but he also demonstrated how an experienced professional would typically do the same step and explained how and why you might eventually adapt your technique over time. Definitely take a multi-week class if you can (so you can spread out the instructions and absorb them more effectively), but that wasn't an option for me. To get so much out of just one day fully met my expectations and was exactly what I needed.
Tips for an all-day class:
1. Pack a lunch (skip the restaurants) and have a quick picnic outside to maximize class time.
2. Plan on coming back another day just to browse the store, especially to pick out glass!
What an experience! Thanks, Ro
Pros : The instructor did a good job of explaining everything that we were learning. She was very patient and friendly. It was obvious that she is very knowledgeable and knew what she was doing.
Pros : Great teacher with sense of humor
Very attentive
Easy going class
It was exciting to see how it all came together in one day!
Cons : Can be challenging
This class could benefit from breaking it down into a 2 day class
Other Thoughts : Roy was great and very supportive and explained everything in detail. I would recommend taking his class to anyone as he has a great attitude and excellent teaching nature.
Pros : This was my 3rd one day class and my first with Steena. She is a patient and helpful instructor who offers many great tips and helpful advice. Her class is relaxed yet everyone worked at a good pace and was able to complete the project within the allotted time.
Cons : The class description indicates everything needed including the zinc frame is included in the cost of the class and the only thing one needs to purchase is the glass. However, this class required a separate purchase of the zinc framing. (In my 2 previous classes there was no extra charge).
Other Thoughts : It would be nice to have some different pattern options for those like me who have taken the class multiple times. I would also like to see a beginners intermediate class to have the opportunity to work on skills once the basics are understood.
Pros : I learned something new. I've never cut glass, ground glass, or soldered glass. I was a learning experience for sure. Stained Glass Artists are underrated!
Cons : What we learned was (in my opinion) not a beginning class. I spent 9 hours, without a break, standing on my feet, learning (what I considered) advanced glass cutting and grinding techniques. I would have expected to learn cutting straight lines, grinding bumpy edges (not circles), and basics of stained glass. This class was far from basic.
Other Thoughts : I have been a corporate trainer for many years. In my opinion, I would break this into two 4-hour classes of basics and intermediate learning; and, then I would create an 8-hour class for advanced.
What seems to an expert stained-glass artist as "simple," was very complex and overwhelming to most of the people in our class.
I broke a lot of glass. I paid a lot more for the class than I anticipated because I was not "qualified" to do what I was shown to do.
Pros : Roy did a great job with step by step instructions and a wonderful sense of humor. I learned so much in this class. Very knowledgeable instructor who clearly cared about sharing his love for the craft in the hope of growing that same love for the craft in others.
Pros : Very good class to learn the basics of stain glass. Our teacher Roy was excellent and knowledgeable plus patient.
Cons : When visiting the store to pick out your materials they should explain more on the why’s, what’s & why’s. For example I didn’t pick out enough glass to cover the entire area. If you don’t know you don’t know. Other then that good class.
Other Thoughts : You can take a break anytime but most didn’t. It should be mandatory to break for lunch. I was the only one to leave for ten minutes 9:00 to 5:00 is too long.
Pros : The class was absolutely wonderful and the instructor was so great and patient. He was able to make things make sense for someone who had never done stained glass. I feel confident that I can do it on my own and practice my skills at home.
Pros : Knowledgeable and easy to understand instructor who was pleasant, patient, and considerate of all levels of students, all equipment provided, vast array of glass to choose from for purchase to make project, reasonable price for class, 4 beginner templates to choose from, and all completed in one day for people traveling from far.
Pros : catered to beginners, which I am. Small class size, only 8 of us. Knowledgeable instructor. All supplies right there for purchase. plenty of instruction and safety gear and safety instruction. Plenty of work room. Vented room.
Cons : everything was pretty expensive and I didn't expect the extra costs. didnt know that gloves would have been a good idea, cut myself pretty good on one glass break.
Other Thoughts : nice instructor, very patient, and very knowledgeable. I had fun, but not likely to pursue as the costs were a lot for a hobby
Pros : Shows you all the ways a beginner can start cutting glass. The instructor Steena was very patient and knowledgeable. She was more than helpful during the class.
Cons : It’s a long day. Basically I didn’t go to lunch and just finished my project. It’s not a cheap hobby and once you’re bitten it can get expensive.
Other Thoughts : Great class gets the creative juices flowing!
Pros : I appreciated the cadence of the exposure and training. The templates were good for a first timer!
Cons : Would have liked to practice soldering before doing it for the first time on the piece I was working on, but I appreciate that it could be wasteful, and the ability to fix first time mistakes is relatively easy - I just didn’t have confidence in that part of the process.
Pros : Roy was a fantastic teacher, with a great sense of humor. I love that you get to complete a project from start to finish in a single (long!) day. Roy stayed late to make sure everyone finished up. It was also great that you didn't have to bring any tools... just purchase the glass you wanted to use for the project. Highly recommend!
Cons : Not a thing.
Other Thoughts : My class had people from near (Lansing) and far (Sweden!), which was really cool.
Pros : we had a class size of 5 so we had plenty of ono on one time with the instructor, being able to pick any glass for my project was fun...l did the sail boat and was able to find many of the pieces in the scrap bin...there was some incredible white ripple for the sails...that I managed to mangle and make mine a 3 sail boat instead of the customary 2.
Cons : very few cons, the class was well planned and the instructor was very patient with all of the beginners.. the only thing?? no cutting oil? at home I oil my wheel before every score, in class...not a drop...I feel I would have had a better chance with that white ripple if I didn't have a dry cutting wheel.
Other Thoughts : looking forward to a more advanced class...
Pros : I liked that this class went over EVERYTHING you'd need to get started. Daisy was a great instructor and led an independent and engaging glass. The panels we made are pretty big, which is nice because many beginning classes send you home with a tiny window hanger for the same price.
Cons : The pattern tracing technique can be pretty challenging for beginners. Many in my class had some BIG gaps to fill with solder. Teaching the resist method may be more helpful and reduce rework later-on when several of us had to re-cut pieces because they didn't fit and would be too small if we tried fixing them with grinding.
We also ran out of time at the end and were rushing to get our pieces framed and apply patina and finishing compound. I felt like we were given too much time to pick our glass. Some people took a very long time and left the rest of the class waiting for the next step.
Pros : Steena was a very good instructor. She was patient and encouraging. This class lived up to its name. I learned a little bit about every step of creating a stain glass project; beginning to end. It was an excellent class for me who knew nothing about stain glass.
Cons :
Other Thoughts : I enjoyed everyone in the class - instructor and classmates.
Pros : We finished a project and got to take it home.
Cons : The instructor used tools that were not in the kits that we bought, and we had to buy more than just the kit.
Other Thoughts : It would have been nice if the instructor had walked around the table giving each of us, individual help, at each step, throughout the class, and then worked on her project, after all students were well underway with the given task. It would also be nice if she had used the same tools that we had in our kits. You can tell she has done this a long time, because steps that seemed common sense to her, we had no idea about. She just assumed we knew what we were doing, and really, several of us, had no clue.
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