Beginner, Half Day or Two Weeks? Choosing the Right Workshop for Your Goals

One of the questions I get asked most often — usually by people who are ready to book but not quite sure where to start — is some version of this: which workshop is right for me?

It's a good question, and the honest answer is that it depends on what you're hoping to get from the experience. Glass fusing is a craft that works beautifully at every level, from a relaxed hour trying something new for the first time to a two-week journey into technique and design.

The options are designed to work at different paces, for different people, with different goals in mind.

This blog is my attempt to help you figure out which one that might be for you.

First Things First: What Are You Actually Looking For?

Before diving into the workshops themselves, it's worth thinking about a few things:

• How much time do you have, and how much do you want to spend in the studio?

• Are you dipping your toes in, or are you ready to commit to learning a new skill properly?

• Do you want to explore cutting and shaping glass, or would you prefer to focus purely on design?

• Are you looking for a one-off creative experience, or the beginning of something longer term?

There's no wrong answer to any of these. But having a sense of where you sit will make it much easier to find the session that fits.

For Those Who Want to Gently Dip Their Toes In

If you're brand new to glass fusing and not quite sure whether it's for you, starting small is always a good idea.

The Mini Taster Session – Umbellifer is the most accessible entry point I offer. It runs for around an hour, involves no glass cutting whatsoever, and is designed purely around the enjoyment of choosing colours and building a design. Inspired by delicate wildflowers, the style is light, calm and really easy to settle into — even for people who've never tried anything like this before.

It's the right choice if you:

• Want a short, low-pressure introduction to the craft

• Are unsure about cutting glass or working with tools

• Have a busy schedule and want something that fits into a free afternoon

• Are testing the waters before committing to a longer session

The Taster Sessions offer a slightly longer version of the same experience, running at around an hour and fifteen minutes, with a choice of designs including leafy trees, meadow scenes, pots of flowers and sheep meadow scenes. Again, no cutting involved — just design, colour and the quiet enjoyment of making something with your hands.

Both options finish with your piece going into the kiln. Once it's fired, you can arrange to collect it from the studio or have it sent on to you.

For Those Who Want to Actually Learn to Cut Glass

If you're ready to move beyond design-only sessions and want to understand how glass fusing really works, the next step up introduces the technical side of the craft.

The Beginners Cutting & Shaping Glass Workshop is where it all begins. In ninety minutes, you'll learn how to handle and cut glass safely, how different shapes and sizes work together in a composition, and how to start thinking about a design from the ground up. It's hands-on and satisfying, and it gives you a real foundation to build on.

This is the right session if you:

• Have already tried a taster and want to go a step further

• Are drawn to the more technical side of the craft

• Want to understand the full process from start to finish

• Are thinking about glass fusing as a longer-term hobby

For Those Who Want to Immerse Themselves Properly

For people who want to spend around four hours really getting into it, the Beginners Half Day Workshop is the one I'd recommend most warmly.

Over four hours, you'll cover everything — cutting, shaping, colour theory, composition and design — with plenty of time to slow down, ask questions and really enjoy the creative process. There's no rushing, and there's space to try things, adjust them and make something you're genuinely proud of.

Many people tell me this is where they properly fell in love with glass fusing. It's immersive in the best possible way — the kind of afternoon where time disappears entirely.

This is the right session if you:

• Want a deep, satisfying introduction to the full craft

• Are happy to spend a meaningful amount of time learning something properly

• Would love to come away with a substantial piece to look forward to collecting

• Are thinking about attending more workshops in the future

Flexible payment options are available at checkout, so the cost can be spread to suit you.

For Those Who Are Ready to Commit to a Real Creative Journey

For people who already have a little experience — or who simply know that one session is never going to be enough — I offer two multi-session workshops that take things to a different level entirely.

The 2 Week Beginners Workshop is designed for those starting out but wanting more time and depth than a single session can offer. Across two two-hour sessions, you'll build confidence gradually, explore different aspects of the craft, and develop a much stronger understanding of how glass behaves and what you can do with it.

The 2 Week Intermediate Workshop takes things further still, and is designed for people who already have some glass fusing experience and want to push their skills and creative thinking into new territory. If you've attended workshops before and you're ready to challenge yourself, this is where to go next.

Both of these work particularly well if you:

• Want to develop a genuine skill over time rather than a single experience

• Have already caught the glass fusing bug and want to go deeper

• Are interested in building your own creative practice

• Enjoy learning at a pace that allows for real reflection and development

Still Not Sure?

If you've read all of this and still aren't quite certain which option is right for you, don't worry — that's completely normal. The workshops are designed to work at every level, and the most important thing is simply that you enjoy the experience.

If you'd like a little guidance before booking, I'm always happy to help point you in the right direction. Just get in touch and we can have a chat about what you're looking for.

Or, if you'd like to browse all available sessions and find your own way, you can explore everything at www.ygfs.co.uk.

Because whichever session you choose, the most important thing is that you come and give it a try. In my experience, people are almost always surprised by what they're capable of — and that moment of realisation is one of my favourite things to witness.