Stained Glass: Sun Catcher (May Day School)

16/05/2026 - 17/05/2026

Duration : 2 days

| Arts & Craft

Make a beautiful, unique stained glass panel to take home.

Brief description

This stained glass course will run for consecutive days; on Saturday and Sunday.

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 revolutionised the way that glass was made and put together. Small scale, delicate pieces can be made using this method in just a few days. You will need a steady hand and lots of patience to learn this technique, but the results will be well worth the effort! You will create a unique and beautiful stained glass piece in just two days!

During the first part of the course we will concentrate upon working out suitable designs and colour scheme for a project. The following will be studied during the course:

  • Design skills
  • Glass cutting methods
  • Health & safety
  • Brief history of glass/makers
  • Copperfoil technique
  • Soldering skills

You will learn how to create a design for a glass panel, cut glass, shape it using a grinding machine, copper foil it, and finally attach the fragments together using a soldering iron.

You will learn through demonstrations and discussion. You will be given the opportunity to create your own design so that you will understand how to design your own piece in the future. By the end of the two days, you will make a fun decorative piece using a combination of glass, wire, and glass globs if desired.

Previous Experience needed:

You do not need any previous knowledge or experience but please be aware the practice can be tiring on the hands.

For the first session, you will need to bring:

  • Images for inspiration (essential)
  • a pencil, a rubber and ruler (also available in centre)
  • An apron, which is fabric or plastic coated
  • A glass cutter (if you have one)
  • An empty margarine pot
  • 1 x A4 sheet of clear picture frame glass (QD's clip frames would be perfect)
  • A pair of scissors (also available in centre)
  • A permanent silver/black pen
  • Please also bring a packed lunch each day
  • Blu-tac if you have it

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.
Tools will be provided except the ones listed above which you will need to bring with you on the first day.

On completion of this course, what might your next steps be?

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 Saturdays 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

‹ To overview
Stained Glass: Sun Catcher (May Day School)

Course details

Location

Coleridge Community College, Radegund Road, Cambridge CB1 3RJ

Time

10:00am - 4:00pm

Fees

£113

Booking notes

To book onto this course either call the office on 01223 712340 or email office@adultlearning.education

Tutor

Lisa Fretwell

My name is Lisa E Fretwell. I have been teaching art, glass and textile techniques for over 25 years. In the past, I have exhibited my work in New York, had a touring exhibition around the UK, and exhibited in Gallery and non-Gallery venues in Hertfordshire, Leicester, London and Northamptonshire. I was involved in the publishing of a new book called ‘Antarctic Atlas,’ in 2020 which includes my hand drawn illustrations. I am currently making hand drawn illustrated cards to create funding for a Hedgehog charity called Hoggywobbles in Cambridgeshire.  Since 2012 I have been teaching Art History, Stained Glass and Felt Making in Cambridge. I sold some original illustrations with Bonham's Auctioneer's from our book, Antarctic Atlas, at St. Bride's Foundation, London in June 2023.

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