Intro to Stained Glass: Choose Your Own Adventure November

This introductory stained glass class will teach you all of the basics of the Tiffany or copper-foil technique of stained glass from start to finish, and you’ll go home with a finished stained glass piece of your own! No prior stained glass experience is required. For this course, designs will be provided, though we will discuss a few design principles. Students will get to explore the magical colors and textures of stained glass by picking out their own sheet glass to use for their project. The course will cover how to use and maintain the various tools necessary for stained glass, and we will also discuss various safety and protective measures that should be taken throughout the stained glass process. You will learn how to score, cut, and break glass, how to grind the glass pieces to fit smoothly against each other, and how to apply copper foil tape. Lastly, you will learn how to solder your piece and clean it so that you can go home with a beautiful finished piece of your own!

My name is Maddie and I am the one-woman show behind Optic Mojo Glassworks, my stained glass studio and business. I am an East Coast native from Baltimore, Maryland and I moved to Oregon in 2020 for grad school, graduating with my Master’s in Psychology in 2022. I have since decided not to pursue an academic career path, and have been making stained glass using the Tiffany copper-foil technique for about 4 years now. I picked up stained glass thanks to my parents, who were creating beautiful glass pieces before I was even born. My dad taught me stained glass in 2019, and since then I’ve made over 300 pieces ranging from smaller ornament-sized pieces, to medium-sized suncatchers, to some larger 1-2 foot panels. Currently, I work out of my small second bedroom home studio which does limit the size of what I’m able to create, but eventually I would love to venture into the leaded method of stained glass which will allow for larger-scale, weatherproof, installation pieces.

I'd describe my work as whimsical, colorful, and full of mojo! I love to create pieces that are abstract as well as more conceptually-based ones that are inspired by nature, geometry, and the glass itself. I enjoy incorporating fun details with solder and wire and using unique materials like agate slices, mirrors, and beads when the project calls for it. I highly value sustainability and frequently incorporate sustainable practices into my work. Close to all of my glass is sourced second-hand and I try to cut down on single-use materials in my studio by using reusable materials throughout my process and when shipping pieces as well. I encourage you to check out my Instagram (@opticmojoglassworks) or Facebook, where I frequently post updates, announcements about new pieces, insights into my process, and where to find me and my work locally.

I started out selling my work online through Etsy and currently still do, but more recently I have grown to love having a local presence in Eugene where I get to engage with our amazing community! This past year I was regularly a part of vending with Whiteaker Community Market, as well as with other pop-up markets and events in the area, and prior to that, I often vended with Spencer Creek Grower’s Market.

This class is for ages 16+.

This class is not recommended to those who are pregnant or nursing due to working with lead.

This class will require hand, arm, and back strength and mobility, fine motor skills, and some longer periods of sitting and standing. By signing up for this class you are acknowledging these requirements. If you need any accommodations, please reach out to the instructor (opticmojoglassworks@gmail.com) prior to the class.
Please arrive to class wearing close-toed shoes, clothes you don't mind getting dirty, and an extra layer.