Noticeboards Category: Workshops/Short Courses

Masterclass: Lost Wax Without Wax – Advanced Glass Casting – Antonis Koutouzis

Explore the possibilities of the lost wax technique without the need of wax.
In the lost wax process, we often deal with approximate 2-3% wax shrinkage of the model to be cast, plus additional time for retouching seamlines and any imperfections resulting from pouring/brushing into the mother moulds. The inevitable steaming of the wax can, furthermore, stress and weaken refractory moulds, especially in larger projects.

On this five-day advanced glass casting Masterclass, Antonis will guide you through a complex multistep process of creating positive and negative forms in silicone to eliminate these problems, resulting in a cleaner, more efficient, and more accurate realisation of almost any shape for casting.

Fusing Discovery Day with Amanda Mires

7th May 2026 (Thursday) Duration: 1 day

Location CGUK studio – Rochester, Kent

A compact class to delight and inspire all – from the novice to the artist investigating the set-up of their own kiln-working studio. On this enjoyable one-day workshop you will not only gain a better understanding of glass in general, but also expand your knowledge-base of all the firing processes. It’s the perfect class for those who would like to have a little more insight into what happens to glass behind the closed kiln door and how the firing program affects the end result. You will explore:

Selecting materials & tools
Combining exciting mixtures of materials
Firing techniques for perfect results
Adapting processes to suit your needs
Expressing yourself through your work

Our aim is to present reliable techniques in a relaxed atmosphere, so that you gain confidence with firings and discover your true creative potential. At the same time more complex issues such as compatibility, viscosity and annealing will also be covered, enabling you to build up a solid foundation for all your future glasswork.

Our resident teacher, Amanda Mires will provide a class which will include demos, lectures, written documentation, plenty of hands-on-work and, last but not least – a lot of fun for everybody involved – book now for a class that really delivers!

Projects
A set of small dishes / candle holders
A selection of samples exploring different techniques and firing temperatures

Skill Level
No previous experience required

Please note, places for this class are limited to ensure plenty of support can be offered to each attendee.

NB. A waiting list will be in operation once the class is FULL – please email info@creativeglassshop.co.uk if you would like to be added.

Kiln-Formed Glass: The Sustainable Art of Repurposing with Julia Gonyou

23-24 April 2026 (Thursday-Friday)

9.30am-4.30pm 2 days

Location: CGUK Glass Studio – Rochester, Kent

Please join us for an environmentally conscious new workshop focused on exploring the possibilities of sustainable kiln-formed glass, using recycled glass bottles, and float glass.

Participants will learn how to break down these materials and artistically repurpose the glass – without the use of moulds – into unique compositions using pattern, shape and script. You will explore techniques using expressive mark-making, textural objects and cut-outs to create distinctive relief work.

Explore this more streamlined and Eco-friendly approach to glass-making while building practical skills and creative confidence to support your future work.

Projects
Students will have the opportunity to create 3-4 projects, including sun-catchers, and free-standing panels to take home/collect after final firing.

Skill Level
Beginner/Intermediate

Further Information
More about Julia can be found here: www.juliagonyou.com

All class materials and necessary tools/equipment are provided.

Refreshments are included, but please bring your own packed lunch.

Participants must be 18+ years of age.

Workshops are held in our well-equipped studio above our retail centre, accessed via 2 flights of stairs, there is no lift.

NB. A waiting list will be in operation once the class is FULL – please email info@creativeglassshop.co.uk if you would like to be added.

Scratching the Surface: Engraved Glass Art with Julia Gonyou

21-22 May 2026 (Thursday-Friday)

9.30am-4.30pm 2 days

Location: CGUK Glass Studio – Rochester, Kent

Join us for an exciting new workshop focused on glass engraving. During the 2-day class, participants will investigate various approaches to sandblasting and engraving with rotary tools, both on clear and coloured glass. Students are welcome to bring in their own drawings but will also have access to a selection of studies to use as stencils, while being encouraged to experiment with expressive patterns and textures.

We will experiment with various ways to achieve our designs through using scalpels to cut through rigid resists and brushes to apply fluid resists. We will examine tonal variation by engraving to varying depths, free-hand sandblasting, and layering engravings. Participants will also work with a range of rotary tool heads to achieve more refined, drawing-like effects.

Develop practical skills, expand your technical understanding, and discover new creative possibilities within engraved glass!

Projects
Students will have the opportunity to create 1 main piece to take home, plus several experimental 10×15 samplers, home-made flashed glass, engrave a 3D object if desired.

Skill Level
Beginner/Intermediate

Further Information
More about Julia can be found here: www.juliagonyou.com

All class materials and necessary tools/equipment are provided.

Refreshments are included, but please bring your own packed lunch.

Participants must be 18+ years of age.

Workshops are held in our well-equipped studio above our retail centre, accessed via 2 flights of stairs, there is no lift.

NB. A waiting list will be in operation once the class is FULL – please email info@creativeglassshop.co.uk if you would like to be added.

9.30am-4.30pm 2 days

Location: CGUK Glass Studio – Rochester, Kent

This engaging 2-day workshop offers a structured introduction to the leaded lights technique. Participants will learn the fundamental and artistic architectural processes involved in constructing stained glass panels, including designing, drafting, leading, soldering and cementing. The class will also highlight the purpose and importance of these specialised materials and procedures and why they are essential to the craft.

Students will have access to a selection of patterns and will be encouraged to integrate their own creative ideas with guidance from Julia. A variety of coloured and textured glass, along with different lead sizes, will be provided to support and enhance your compositions.

Although the primary focus will be the lead came technique, participants will also create two small kiln-fired sections, embellished with ColorLine paint, to incorporate into their hanging or free-standing panel.

This workshop provides a solid foundation in traditional techniques while supporting creative development and a sense of technical freedom to carry forward into future work.

Projects

A hanging or free-standing leaded stained glass panel, with the opportunity to incorporate 2 small painted kiln-fired details.

Skill Level

Beginner to intermediate

Further Information

More about Julia can be found here: www.juliagonyou.com

All class materials and necessary tools/equipment are provided.

Refreshments are included, but please bring your own packed lunch.

Participants must be 18+ years of age.

Workshops are held in our well-equipped studio above our retail centre, accessed via 2 flights of stairs, there is no lift.

You can read our terms and conditions for classes here.

NB. A waiting list will be in operation once the class is FULL – please email info@creativeglassshop.co.uk if you would like to be added.

I have released new dates for glass casting courses.

Lots of different dates to choose from and 3 different courses with different processes, duration, levels and costs to suit a wide range of participants.

Follow link in bio for more information.

Feel free to contact me if you have any questions.

I have released new dates for glass casting courses.

Lots of different dates to choose from and 3 different courses with different processes, duration, levels and costs to suit a wide range of participants.

Follow link in bio for more information.

Feel free to contact me if you have any questions.

Sculptural Slumping Masterclass Part 2
Kiln set-ups, complex forms and project planning
10-12th April 2026

Fri/Sat 10-4pm, Sun 10-3 £400, max 4 students

This new course is an extension to the Sculptural Slumping Masterclass and focuses on creating complex glass forms through a sequence of kiln firings that bend the glass in several stages or using one-off set-ups to achieve dramatic shapes. Students will complete two projects over three days using Bullseye sheet glass and a range of studio props (ceramic and refractory). Participants will make dynamic, flowing sculptures by harnessing the forces of gravity and heat. Primarily using my props, you’ll explore inventive ways to employ ad hoc props to hold or guide glass including wire, kiln furniture and fibre blanket.

You may have taken the Sculptural Slumping course but this course is suitable for new students too as we’ll review foundational prop making processes and concepts. A comprehensive visual presentation detailing the making of a selection of Lisa’s previous work, will give a fresh perspective to a range of manipulation techniques. Temperatures and annealing strategies will be discussed. Participants will become more confident devising firing programs that leave room for spontaneous and surprising results.

Students are asked to bring a researched concept (sketches or other media) to discuss for future work. Together we will trouble shoot your ideas, imagining kiln set-up scenarios to achieve your ideas.

A handout will summarise the core concepts and firing programs covered in the demos and presentation. All kiln-based materials are provided but students will bring their own Bullseye glass but the methodologies you’ll learn apply to any type of glass.

Cost: £400 per person, includes mould-making materials and firings but students will bring their own glass. We’ll eat on my patio (or dining room) or go to a local cafe (students can also bring a packed lunch). Full payment confirms a place.

Local accommodation list is available on request

Email studio@pettibone.co.uk for booking forms and further information