Space still Available- Glass Fusing after school Class Starts 9/23

Hello Folks...A Reminder-
The Glass Fusing Class begins on Monday 9/23! If you are interested in signing up, there is still space.
 1st session  9/23-10/28        2nd session 11/4-12/16
         3:15- 4:45  For Grades 2-5 $250  

Introduce your child to a unique craft that is incredibly fun and creative. Students will learn how to work with glass, a material that is not usually offered to children. I teach them how to work safely with glass as we explore the colorful world of glass fusing. Glass fusing is an ancient Egyptian craft experiencing an incredible renaissance.  New techniques in kiln-forming glass and slumping in molds has led to a super cool studio glass movement. Bring your child into the fold and lets get fusing! Returning fusers welcome! Build on what you have learned.
* Each Session, students will collaborate on a group project to be auctioned at the International Festival.

To sign up for Fusing Fun Art-
 online: http://eplay.livelifelocally.com   call: 415 485-3333
    in person: 618 B Street San Rafael Community Center
* FYI  - There is no materials fee for this class. There is a misprint in the online description that states a $20 materials fee. All glass, finishing supplies, tools and kiln firings are provided in classes for children.
 After school snacks also provided.

Questions? Please contact me
Previous posts have lots of information and great photos from classes and glass work.
Tell your friends!

Coleman After School Glass Fusing Classes starting 9/23

Welcome back to school everybody! Sign your child up for Fusing Fun Art and give your child a little creative after school treat.
I will be holding 2 five week sessions on Mondays. 3:15- 4:45 in the art room. 
First series : 9/23- 10/28 
2nd series:   11/4- 12/16
grades 2nd -5th  $250 per series
Light after school snack provided

student learning to cut glass

Younger students can work with glass! Over the last couple of years, I have seen how empowering it is for students to learn how to work with glass. Some are scared to score the glass or use the flame to bend glass but in the end, everybody is fusing and pretty impressed with themselves.

fused glass bowl- nikki contini

tools of the trade..

  I teach the students  to safely cut glass themselves and explore the process of kiln fired glass.  This fall Possible creations may include: clocks, pocket vases, sculpture,  small dishes and candle holders, sun catchers, jewelry, magnets and much much more. 

nikki contini

This is a great opportunity for students to make their own holiday gifts as well.No experience is necessary. Students will come away from these sessions with a lot of amazing glass work.  

Register Soon!

There is no materials fee for this class- all materials are provided

  You can register for classes the following ways

 -online    http://eplay.livelifelocally.com 

 -call (415) 485-333

 -In person - San Rafael Community Center  618 B Street M-F 8:30- 5pm   

Returning students welcome. Build on what you have learned. I have a lot of wonderful projects planned.                    

student made night lights

For those of you who don't know me, My name is Nikki Contini and I am a Coleman mom of a 5th grader. I have been fusing glass since 1994.  It is my passion and favorite outlet. Over the years, I have shown my work in various craft markets,  juried shows, fundraisers, and boutiques. I have  degree in clinical psychology and have also studied Holistic Health with an emphasis on art and healing at San Francisco State University.  I have been teaching fused glass to children over the last 4 years and enjoy it very much.

To learn more about fused glass and see pictures of classes please check out my previous blogs and other pages.

fused glass address numbers- nikki contini

Questions...please contact me! Happy Fusing!!

Fused Glass Update and dates for Fall Classes at Coleman

Hello Everyone! Its been quite awhile since my last blog posting. At the end of May I had a health issue which took me off course for a couple of months. Thankfully, I am back in the swing of things and full of fusing energy.

Beautiful pendant made my the mom of one of my students!

I was able to finish the classes from the Spring session and wait to you see all the  fun, colorful pieces the kids made. Everyone really seemed to be in the groove and excited by the possibilities of glass fusing.

Check out some of the photos from last session. I was really inspired by the creativity shown by the students and the talent they all had in translating their internal design visions to their actual pieces. One of the most gratifying things to watch with the students is the awe they express when they see their finished pieces.

hooks with fused glass panels

frame assembly

This past session the student collaborative piece was a super fun project that used the students hand prints.  We ended up doing this project twice. The first time the platter cracked. Total bummer...but in glass fusing, usually our lemons can be made into lemonade....I was able to cut out some of the prints and make little hangings of the hand prints the student could hang up at home.

Second platter 

The hand print platter entails using student hand prints  fused into glass using a special material called fiber paper. Hand prints were traced onto the fiber paper which was then layered onto the glass and fired. The glass sags around the fiber paper leaving a relief of the hand print after firing. We used glass frit(ground glass) to fill the hand prints.

try try again-making of the 2nd platter 

1st platter attempt

hand prints refired into wall hangings 

What caused the glass to break? Too much frit stressed the glass.
A good lesson! The second platter stressed and broke up as well but I was able to refire it. As you can see, it came out pretty with a little extra character...

For the last project students made plant stands. Decorative glass posts to add a little pop to plants.

decorative plant stands

I am pleased to announce that I will be teaching again at Coleman in the Fall. 
2  sessions (5 classes per session)
Dates: 1st session begins on 9/23 
             2nd session begins on 11/4
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More info about classes in next posting... 
Check out previous posts for more information...

student made sushi plates

fused glass frames -student made

 groovy magnets!

hook with fused glass panel

earrings by student

Fused Glass Class Starts Monday May 6th and I will be teaching summer classes too. Children and Adults!!

The Last session of the year begins Monday May 6th. This is a super fun and unique class. Working with glass and children is possible! Students safely learn how to cut glass, lay out designs and make beautiful and often functional art. The kids love and it and there is this sense of awe about what they can do with glass.

 learning to cut glass- 

 If you didn't know, Kiln fired glass is a craft dating back to the ancient  Egyptians! Since then there have been lots of new techniques, kilns, tools and glass improving the art of warm glass.  Experience the  renaissance!!

Class starts Monday 5/6- 6/3 (no class Memorial day-5/27)
In the art room after school- until 4:40, snacks provided.
Sign up at http://eplay.livelifelocally.com
or call 485-3333

my first class held in the backyard! time flies

For more information, please review past blogs -and if you have any questions please do not hestitate to contact me .

Also....Announcing Summer classes...

Kids workshops:

Four session class for kids 8-13 at the Falkirk Mansion, thursday July 9th-30th 1-3pm   $200

ADULT workshops:

Make your Own mosaic style fused glass plate or bowl! July 11th 1- 4pm  $115

and a 2 part workshop Make YOUR Own Unique Fused Glass Jewelry! Thursdays, 8/1 and 8/8 6:30- 9:30 $140    Details for all workshops can be found in the San Rafael Summer catologue and online at 

http://eplay.livelifelocally.com

I will blog again with more class details to follow!

glass crab made by student

Spring into Glass Fusing March 18th!

sun catcher with copper foil heart

Have your child try something new and creative. 
The next class series begins Monday  3/18-4/15 (3:15- 4:40) 4 classes $195 - Students will come away with lots of beautiful pieces and a great understanding of the ancient art of kiln fired glass. 

To enroll please sign up at  https://eplay.livelifelocally.com or call 485-3333

sun catcher-

I have room for more students and there is still time to register. Please let others know about this unique and fun class.

We are coming into Spring and with that inspiration I will lead with some blooming designs and colors!

Also, each session gets to collaborate on a piece for the school auction.

- For more details/photos about the class please check out my last few posts. There are lots of photos and information about fusing glass. If you have any questions please feel free to contact me- Nikki Contini(Coleman Mom) 415 846-4460

Dragonfly Platter by Nikki Contini

Take a Peek at Student Projects.....

From last Monday's Fusing class! Students worked on glass chimes. They really turned out cool. Great vibrant colors. Reminds me of sea glass. 

Glass mobiles by Coleman Students

If you did not already know....

The next series begins Monday  3/18-4/15 

To enroll please sign up at  https://eplay.livelifelocally.com

There is still room! Have your child try something new and creative. Spread the word!

- for more details about the class please check out my last few posts. There are lots of photos and information about fusing glass. If you have any questions please feel free to contact me- Nikki Contini(Coleman Mom) 

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Check out these fanciful glass bugs from the last session.

Wow!

Lastly, a sneak peak at the Coleman Auction platter made by students in the last series. This was a collaborative project with each student designing a panel with a ocean/fantasy theme. 

Nautical themed platter designed by students for Coleman auction project this Spring.

Love, Express, create, make art , laugh, write, dance, sing, cry, cook,  giggle, meander, mingle, hibernate, wake up, hello world....

Its time to sign up for Glass Class and Get Fusing! 1/28 Monday

Hello Everbody,
Welcome back to school  and the new year!
I am excited to announce I will be teaching another round of fused glass classes. There will be 3 sessions offered in the Spring. (4 classes each)

fused glass bowl Nikki Contini

 New students will learn how to safely cut glass and learn all about the ancient craft of kiln fired glass. Returning students are welcome and will build on what they have learned and will continue to gain confidence in scoring glass with the cutter. I have lots of new projects to introduce and of course there will be free choice time as well. In each session the students will also collaborate on a piece that will be auctioned at the International Festival.

fused glass wall pocket vases made by students last session

 The first session of Fused Glass Class is coming up on Monday, January 28th. 3:10- 4:40 in the art room at Coleman.
Please sign up soon as space is limited.
You can sign up for the class through the city of San Rafael. at :
https://eplay.livelifelocally.com
1st session: 1/28- 2/25
2nd session: 3/18-/15

3rd session: 5/6- 6/3

Some Class details:
Fees:
- course fee $195.00
- course fee n/r $214.00 

Description:
This class is all about fun and learning the ancient art of glass fusing! Nikki will teach the class how to safely cut glass and assemble beautiful creations which will then be fired in the kiln. Each week there will be a cool new project that will focus on different aspects of fusing glass. Students will come away with lots of amazing glass work and a firm understanding of the craft of fusing. A $20 material fee is due to the instructor on the first day of class. INSTRUCTOR: Nikki Contini has been happily fusing glass since 1994. Her glass work is whimsical and colorful. Check out - fusedglassoriginals.blogspot.com Ages: 8 Yrs. to 12 Yrs. (for younger students, please call me to discuss if your younger child is a good fit for working with glass.415 846-4460)

Spots Available: 9 

student pendant

dangle earrings made by student

To learn more about fused glass and to see more pictures of student work, please check out my previous blogs and other pages.