Classes
We have a long standing reputation for excellent quality classes, packed with information and inspiration! Techniques covering stained glass, kilnforming, glass mosaics, and wire-wrapped jewelry are taught by staff and local artists with a reputation for excellence in their medium. Current offering times are listed in the calendar on the home page if available. However, most classes are taught one on one; call to start your class today!
All classes, labs, and workshops require paid registration. Classes which do not meet minimum enrollment by six days prior to start date will be cancelled. Students may defer their tuition to a later class date or ask for a refund if a class is cancelled. Students who cancel within six days of class will not be eligible for a full refund. We accept registration over the phone or in person. Arrangements can also be made via e-mail. Please register early!
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The radiance of stained glass has been around for centuriesand we are sure you will find its process and modern day possibilities just as luminescent. What you can build through the technique of fitting pieces of colored glass together with metal channels is limited only by your imagination. We teach both the traditional leaded stained glass technique, and the Louis Tiffany copper foil technique. Learn both methods and combine them! Most stained glass classes are taught one-on-one, classes are ongoing - call today to begin! |
Beginning Copper Foil Method Instructor: Colleen McElfresh, Owner and Artist of Bluebird Studio Tuition: $175. This course covers the stained glass method established by Louis Comfort Tiffany at the turn of the 20th century. Students will construct a small panel and suncatcher, learning to build to a set edge and a freeform edge. Techniques cover pattern making, cutting, grinding, foiling, soldering, framing, reinforcement, edge-soldering. Students will leave course with all knowledge necessary to continue the craft on their own. All materials and tools are provided in the cost of the class to give students the opportunity to single out their tools of preference. This class is the pre-requisite to all other stained glass courses and workshops. It takes approximately 10 total hours to complete the course, time is broken up into multiple sessions. Classes are ongoing so call today to make your appointment to start. Ages 14+. |
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Beginning Lead Construction Instructor: Colleen McElfresh, Owner and Artist of Bluebird Studio Pre-requisite: Beginning Copper Foil Tuition: $85 + materials. Techniques taught in the Lead Construction Class are based on the European leaded style. Beginning Copper Foil is a pre-requisite to the Lead class because it builds on accuracy of techniques begun in Copper Foil Method. Materials Cost varies on choices of student such as intricacy of pattern and style of glass used. All tools will be provided during shop hours, if student wishes to begin working on their panel at home they will need to invest in their own tools. It takes approximately 10 total hours to complete the course, time is broken up into multiple sessions. Classes are ongoing so call today to make your appointment to start. Ages 14+. |
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Intermediate Stained Glass Instructor: Colleen McElfresh, Owner and Artist of Bluebird Studio Pre-requisite: Beginning Copper Foil Tuition: $85 + materials. Challenge yourself with a more intricate design and gain confidence in yourself and the use of your basic tools while also learning and practicing with new tools on the market. Beginning Copper Foil class is a prerequisite. 6 hour class, time is broken up into multiple sessions, outside work necessary. Classes are ongoing so call today to make your appointment to start. Ages 14+. |
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Advanced Stained Glass Instructor: Colleen McElfresh, Owner and Artist of Bluebird Studio Pre-requisite: Beginning Copper Foil Tuition: $85 + materials. Advance your skills in copper foil and lead construction techniques building a panel that combines the unique characteristics of each technique. Beginning copper foil and beginning lead classes are prerequisite for this class. Approx 8 hour class, time is broken up into multiple sessions, outside work necessary. Classes are ongoing so call today to make your appointment to start. Ages 14+. |
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Workshop: Decorative Soldering Instructor: Colleen McElfresh, Owner and Artist of Bluebird Studio Pre-requisite: Beginning Copper Foil Tuition: TBD Advance your soldering and 3-D construction skills in copper foil by building a four panel open box. Utilize many different decorative soldering techniques as you assemble your box. Approximately 3 hour workshop. Scheduled in small groups. |
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Workshop: Panel Lamps Instructor: Colleen McElfresh, Owner and Artist of Bluebird Studio Pre-requisite: Beginning Copper Foil Tuition: TBD Advance your 3-D construction skills in copper foil by building a panel lamp. In several sessions this project addresses design, strength, grinding and assembly for 3-D construction. Scheduled individually or in small groups, call to make an appointment. |
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Mosaic Art is the incredible ancient craft of fitting many small pieces of glass, stone, tile, pottery, or other materials together to form patterns or pictures. This process has such incredible application potential, it’s impossible not to stand in awe of its past achievements and future possibilities! |
Direct Method Mosaics Instructor: Andrea Taylor, Independent Artist and Instructor Tuition: $90. Learn the basics of direct-method mosaics. Class will cover glass cutting, adhesives, choosing materials, and grout basics in designing and completing the border around a mirror (Ages 18+, 2-6 students), 6-hour class, homework may be necessary. |
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Mosaic Installation Instructor: Andrea Taylor, Independent Artist and Instructor Tuition: $125. In this advanced level class, students will learn the basic skills to create interior or exterior mosaic art and surfaces for the home, such as backsplashes, countertops, floor insets and small scale wall murals. Using the double-direct method, students will create a 12” x 18” wall panel project that will incorporate the necessary methods, skills and proper techniques required for making architectural installations of mosaic art. Direct Method ability is a prerequisite (Ages 18+, 2-6 students), 8-hour class. |
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Indirect Method Stepping Stones Instructor: Colleen McElfresh, Owner and Artist of Bluebird Studio Pre-requisite: Beginning Copper Foil Tuition: $95. Create an 8-inch round or square stepping stone - Learn to cut/fit glass pieces to pattern, mix and pour quick-set mosaic cement and seal your creation against the elements. (Ages 14+). Classes ongoing, schedule individually or with a small group. |
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What better way to express your inner creativity than by wearing it? Perfect for the Magpie in your life, if you’re a fan of making jewelry, you’ll love making jewelry with glass! Shiny or dull, monotone or vibrant, maximal or minimal, textured or smooth, you’ve only to imagine and we’ll help you learn how to make it happen! Our jewelry classes explore both glass kilnforming and metalworking - prepare to be addicted! |
Beginning Jewelry: Wire Wrapping Instructor: Trish Schornagel, Independent Artist and Instructor and Colleen McElfresh Pre-requisite: Intro to Warm Glass recommended but not required Tuition: $100. Construct full fused glass cabochons and learn how to center & grind a groove around the edge which will cradle wire for a secure wrap. The class covers the basics of wire working and strong bail forming around a jewelry piece. The cost of the class includes basic tool set and fine metals that each student will keep to be able to continue making their own pieces after the class is complete. |
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Advanced Jewelry: Cabochons Instructor: Trish Schornagel, Independent Artist and Instructor and Colleen McElfresh Pre-requisite: Beginnging Jewelry Tuition: $100. This wire wrapping class is designed for pieces not necessarily as geometrically shaped or fully fused. Several more complex wraps are covered. All materials included in class cost. |
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Advanced Jewelry: Bracelets Instructor: Trish Schornagel, Independent Artist and Instructor and Colleen McElfresh Pre-requisite: Beginning Jewlery Tuition: $100. Class focuses on very advanced, intensive wrapping of wire bracelets or rings with wrapped and set glass cabochon as focal piece. All materials included in class cost. |
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Check out these great Activies to jumpstart your creativity! There's lots of opportunities for fun and laughter while making and learning about glass at Bluebird! |
Drop-In Glass Projects Pre-requisites: NONE! What: Assorted Glass ProjectsIncluding but not limited to: Wire Wrapping Glass Jewelry, Mosaic Coasters, Fused Sun-catchers, Vitrigraph Tiles... Any Thursday, Friday or Saturday, drop by for approximately30 minutes to indulge your creativity. Some projects can be made and taken home right away, some will need to be fired. Projects will change every first and third Thursday of the month based on upcoming holidays or other special events. So make a date with your friends, grab your lunch, and come play with us! Cost: $15-$20 each project |
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Midnight Maniacs Need motivation or just a little help to for your glass project? Bring a dish to share, and you're sure to find someone to give you that wee bit of inspiration to get you going again! Join us once a month for fabulous company, fabulous food, and fabulous glass! $20 covers table space and use of our basic tools. Bring your supplies or purchase what you need to try something new. Prerequisite: One completed class of any level at Bluebird Studio or special permission. Cost: $20 per person, POTLUCK Ages: Teens to Adults When: One Friday nights a month, 5:00 pm – Midnight; Call to R.S.V.P.!! check calendar for upcoming dates |
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Fieldtrips! Remember when you were little and you were super excited because you were going to get to ride that hideous yellow bus to some really awesome place and pet sharks?? No, that was just me? Well we're reinstituting that fabulous kids activity! There are so many wonderful things to see right in our own backyard! Keep an eye on our calendar and our Facebook page to find out where we're going next! |
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We have supported special projects for church groups, home-school groups, birthday parties, or friends "making" memories. Schedule a time for your group to come play with us or let us come to you! Bluebird is a strong supporter of art in our school and we would love to talk to you about opportunities to share our passion with your kids! |
Fusing Fun Ages: 3 – 103!! Cost: $8 - $1 from each project to S.E.R.V.E. When: All Open Saturdays (Summer Hours 10am and 3pm) Come join us any Saturday for a fun glass project that supports our community! A variety of glass shapes are provided to decorate as your imagination desires; shapes change surrounding holidays, months, and events, so come back often to build new creations! The money raised from Fusing Fun supports the mission of S.E.R.V.E. Their efforts provide full meals and other useable items to families’ right here in Stafford. Bluebird Studio is proud to support their goals. Click here to learn more about S.E.R.V.E. in our community! |
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Scouting Badges As retired troop and service unit leaders and grown up scouts ourselves, we take a special joy from sharing our experience with today's scouts. We can work with your leadership staff in developing activites covering badge requirements for any scout level or simply as a fun group experience!! Scouting projects at Bluebird incorporate community service as well - proceeds from the cost of badge or activity completion goes to S.E.R.V.E.! Call for more details and to schedule a time for your Scout troop or 4-H groups to complete badge requirements. |
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Glass in our Schools!! Fieldtrip!! It has been our joy to feature Glass In-School Fieldtrips for single classes or whole grades! Our projects are diverse and can focus on anything from simple shapes and patterns to advanced color theory! Best of all, it’s fun, exciting, and affordable! Support!! If requested, we can bring our Fusing Fun activity (see above) to your school festival or special event to help raise money for your goals! We are more than willing to work with any level school, even colleges! Let us work together to sustain creativity in our education! |
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