WESTLAKE VILLAGE WORKSHOP FIELD GUIDE
Two Days of Fire and Color: An Intermediate Fused-Glass Workshop in Westlake Village
A focused two-day, intermediate-class workshop that teaches enamel, powder-wafer, and freeze-and-fuse techniques while guiding makers through a series of kiln-fired projects.
Two Days of Fire and Color: An Intermediate Fused-Glass Workshop in Westlake Village.
Adventure brief
Two Days of Fire and Color: An Intermediate Fused-Glass Workshop in Westlake Village
Set in Westlake Village, this two-day intermediate workshop from Glass Arts Collective concentrates on enamel painting, powder wafers, and the freeze-and-fuse process—hands-on techniques that turn simple glass into luminous panels, confetti plates, and glowing floral sculptures.
On a two-day workshop tucked into Westlake Village, California, you trade trail boots for an apron and find a different kind of heat: the kiln’s slow, steady glow. The Enamels, Powder Wafers, and Freeze and Fuse Workshop is an intermediate fused-glass class that guides makers through techniques that turn powdered color, enamel paints, and controlled thermal shocks into three finished pieces. The studio meets in two roughly three-hour sessions over consecutive days; artwork is fired and available for pickup about a week after class, or can be shipped to travelers. Day one starts with enamel on glass—students paint two 4x6 floral panels and learn surface preparation, layering, and firing behavior. You’ll move on to glass powder wafers: delicate translucent discs that add texture and depth to surface designs. The freeze-and-fuse technique rounds out the first session, teaching how to arrest powder patterns before fusing them into discrete forms. Day two is assembly. You’ll combine enamel pieces with handcrafted wafers to finish floral compositions and compose a 3x4 tea-light sculpture that glows from within when lit. This workshop is notable for its hands-on pacing and its emphasis on material literacy: the class balances creative play with technical rules about working with fine powders and kiln schedules. The prerequisite—an Introduction to Fused Glass or equivalent experience—keeps the pace efficient and ensures you spend time making, not learning basics. Expect a compact studio environment with bench space, access to tools, and the kiln as the central piece of equipment; pickup of finished work typically occurs seven days after firing. Why take an indoor class while visiting an outdoor region? Westlake Village sits at the edge of open space and the Santa Monica Mountains; this studio provides a low-impact way to take home a piece of place made by hand. The projects—flower panels, confetti plates, and a glowing tea light—are small, travel-friendly souvenirs that carry local light and color. Safety and sustainability are built into the session: closed-toed shoes and an N95 mask are required when working with powders. Instructors show safe handling, and the studio follows standard kiln and ventilation practices. For visiting makers, the class is a concentrated creative detour: fast learning, tactile results, and three glass pieces that feel like miniature landscapes in color and light. Expect hands-on instruction with step-by-step demonstrations, guided troubleshooting of firing issues, and time to experiment with color blends and textures. The studio encourages iteration—many students leave with variant versions of the same design—and instructors advise on packing and shipping delicate glass pieces for the road. For travelers, the scale of the work means finished pieces travel well in checked luggage or can be packed for shipping, making this workshop a practical creative stop between hikes.
Route Schematic
Class Itinerary — Stop-by-Stop
The workshop is structured as a sequence of studio sessions over two days, each with clear tasks that build toward finished, kiln-fired work.
Day 1 — Enamel Painting
Begin with the basics of working with enamel on glass; create two single 4x6 flower art pieces while learning different decorative approaches.
Day 1 — Powder Wafers & Freeze-and-Fuse
Design and form delicate powder wafers and practice the freeze-and-fuse technique; these wafer elements are prepared for firing and become components for later assembly.
Day 2 — Assembly and Final Pieces
Combine enamel work and handcrafted wafers to finish the flower and leaf pieces, and use wafers plus your fuse-and-freeze elements to create a glowing 3x4 tea light sculpture.
Post-Class — Kiln Firing and Pickup
Artwork is fired in a kiln after the sessions; pieces are typically available for pickup about seven days after the second class (shipping available for an extra fee).
This is an intermediate class: participants should have completed an Introduction to Fused Glass or possess equivalent experience. Wear closed-toed shoes and bring an N95 mask due to airborne enamel and powder; the studio enforces these safety requirements.
What the day feels like
What the Two-Day Workshop Actually Feels Like
Expect concentrated studio time—short, focused sessions across two days where you experiment with color, texture, and layering. Day one is largely exploratory and hands-on as you paint enamel pieces, form powder wafers, and practice freeze-and-fuse methods; those pieces are then kiln-fired. On day two the work becomes assembly and refinement—combining enamel elements and wafers into floral panels and constructing a small fused tea light sculpture.
THE TECHNIQUES
Enamel, Powder Wafers, and Freeze-and-Fuse
Participants explore enamel application on glass, design delicate glass powder wafers for depth and texture, and learn the freeze-and-fuse method—each technique central to the workshop’s creative toolkit.
THE PROJECTS
Build Multiple Luminous Pieces
Across the sessions you’ll create vibrant enamel flower panels, powder-wafer elements, and fused pieces that are assembled into finished decorative works and a glowing tea light sculpture.
THE PROCESS
Make, Fire, and Return to Finish
Work is laid out over two days: form and decorate on day one, assemble and finish on day two—with pieces fired in a kiln and available for pickup roughly a week after the class.
Suitability
Who it's for
Who this workshop fits—and who should consider alternatives.
Practical planner
Details to review before reserving
Two-day class meeting for approximately three hours per session.
Closed-toed shoes are required. Bring an N95 mask because enamel and glass powders can become airborne when handled.
Total price is $300, split between the two classes ($150 per class).
Artwork is kiln-fired after the sessions and is usually ready for pickup about seven days after the second class; shipping is available for an additional cost.
Review cancellation policies before reserving.
Frequently asked questions
Planning Your Outing
How long is the workshop?
The workshop runs two days with approximately three hours per session.
What prior experience is required?
This is an intermediate class; you must have completed an Introduction to Fused Glass or have equivalent experience.
What is the cost?
The total cost is $300, split between the two classes ($150 per class).
When can I pick up my finished pieces?
Finished artwork is fired in a kiln and is typically available for pickup about seven days after the second class; shipping is offered for an extra fee.
Are there age or safety requirements?
Participants age 7 and up are accepted, and the studio requires closed-toed shoes and an N95 mask because enamel and powders can become airborne.
How many finished pieces will I take home?
By the end of the course you’ll assemble several finished pieces—including enamel flower panels and a fused tea light sculpture—created across the two days.
How this guide was prepared
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- Verified: 2026-09-07T20:58:00.469Z
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