Brief description

Do you love colour? Do you marvel at stained glass windows or blown glass? Have you ever wondered how glass is made and put together? Here is your chance to try a unique glass technique called ‘copperfoil,’ invented by Louis Comfort Tiffany which revolutionized the way that glass was made and put together. You will make small scale, delicate pieces using this method. The glass sheets are made using layers of colours that are then fixed together using a flatbed kiln. The textures are made by laying the glass onto a textured surface and then heating up the glass so that it melts into the texture. Finally, the glass is left to cool and then the texture remains in the glass once it has been ‘fixed’ by the heat process.

Originally, Tiffany wanted to replicate specific colours and textures that he saw in the landscape surrounding him, out of glass rather than painting onto clear glass. He used very small scale pieces to create his landscapes and lampshades.  Glass is still made in the same way now as it was then.  You will need a steady hand to cut the glass and lots of patience to learn to solder, but the results will be well worth the effort!  During this short course you will learn to cut glass and grind the edges so that the copper foil sticks to it. You will then learn to solder the glass pieces together, attach a hook onto the back and patina it to make the glass shine and the soldered areas a beautiful copper or black finish. All my students have loved this course, and made some fantastic work. In fact, some of them have made a career from doing it! Try it, you will love it, too.

PREVIOUS EXPERIENCE AND KNOWLEDGE NEEDED

No experience necessary. Just lots of patience and a steady hand!

LEARNER OUTCOMES

By the end of the course, you will have the opportunity to learn:

• Design skills
• Glass cutting methods
• Health and Safety
• Brief history of glass/makers
• Copper foil technique
• Grinding and Soldering skills

FOR THE SESSION YOU WILL NEED TO BRING:

• Images for inspiration (essential); these should be drawings, photographs or magazine cuttings only (not stained glass, please!)
• a permanent black or silver pen
• An apron, which is fabric or plastic coated
• A wooden board
• 1 x A4 sheet of clear picture frame glass (Wilkinson’s clip frames are the best) – this is for easy transportation of your glass piece
• Please also bring a packed lunch each day

EXTRA COSTS ON THE COURSE:

Tools and equipment will be provided.
Materials are NOT included in the course fee.

There will be a fee of £25 to cover the costs of equipment and glass payable to the tutor on the first day.

ON COMPLETION OF THIS COURSE, WHAT MIGHT YOUR NEXT STEPS BE?

Your tutor will advise you and offers other glass courses.
Adult Learn and Train offer courses through-out the year.
Try similar courses or maybe look at learning something completely new.
You will find provision on some Saturday and Sundays, you will also find courses available in the day and evening at different venues in Cambridge. Courses vary in length from one-off sessions to 10 weeks or more.