General stained glass class questions

I've never done glass work before - can I join your class?
Where are the classes held?
Do we get to keep the pieces we make?
What else do I have to pay for or bring?
Can I bring a friend?
I've done some glass work before - which class is best for me?
Will we be using lead?
Can I bring my own lunch?
I don't have much strength in my hands - can I still do the class?
What kinds of pieces can we make?
Can I bring my own design?
Why do you do the foiling method for beginners?
Why does the intermediate class cost more than the beginner's class?
Can you do a one-to-one class for me?

Relating to 5-day workshops in Cornwall

For your Cornwall 5-day course, is accommodation provided?
What is there to do for a non-artist partner in Porthleven?
What do I need to bring?
Are there places to eat nearby?
Is lunch provided?
Which is the nearest train station to the venue?
Why did you choose Porthleven for the workshop?
Will you be doing a 5-day workshop somewhere else in the UK?
Is there wheelchair access to the studio?
I don't want to bring my car - will I be able to get around?
Can I bring a design to work on?

General stained glass class questions

I've never done glass work before - can I join your class?
Yes - our beginner's class is set up specifically for people who're interested in finding out what's involved and with no previous experience.
If you have done some glass work before but are rusty, or not confident, then you'll still find the class refreshing and a good way to get back into stained glass.

Where are the classes held?
We work with two venues - The Rowans Gallery studio in Brackley, Northhants and the Hertfordshire School of Jewellery, based at Battlers Green Farm, near Radlett.

Do we get to keep the pieces we make?
Of course! As well as the project piece we make in the afternoon on the beginner's class, you're welcome to take home your very first piece made with plain glass.

What else do I have to pay for or bring?
For the beginner's class - nothing. Refreshments and lunch are provided, and all the glass, materials, designs, use of tools and protective gear are all included in the class fee.

It's the same for the Intermediate class. Here you may like to bring a design to work on, but please send us a copy in advance so we can check it's feasible and achieveable in the time available.
For all classes, please wear stout (fully enclosed) shoes in case of mishaps with glass.

Can I bring a friend?
We welcome participating friends or partners, and may be able to offer a discount when two or more places are booked together. Sadly there isn't room at most classes for non-participating friends or partners.

I've done some glass work before - which class is best for me?
If you've done some glass work recently then our intermediate class will help you refine and polish your skills, and boost your confidence.
If you're rusty, and happy to cover the basics once more we'd be happy to tailor the beginner's class content to give you a refresher and then set you a more challenging project to work on.

Will we be using lead?
There's lead in the solder we use on all projects, and on our intermediate class we'll be offering leading sessions and using lead cames to frame foiled pieces too. Although lead is toxic, as long as it's not ingested and any cuts or skin conditions are covered up you shouldn't be affected.

Can I bring my own lunch?
Yes. If you have specific dietary requirements, please let us know in advance. You can either bring your own lunch, or if you wish, help us to identify alternatives to what we usually provide.

I don't have much strength in my hands - can I still do the class?
Potentially, yes. Contact us to talk about what you can do around the home or at work so we can help. The processes involved instained glass do require some dexterity and strength but we have glass cutters designed for lighter pressure and we can help with other aspects of the work.

What kinds of pieces can we make?
The project designs made on the beginner's class are similar to ones we sell for £50 in galleries - you can see an example here.
We've created designs that are challenging, achievable in the time available and don't have inherent weaknesses.

Can I bring my own design?
For the intermediate class, please do. We suggest a maximum size of 450x300mm (either landscape of portrait). Sometimes adjustments to designs are needed to ensure they can be completed within the time available.

Why do you do the foiling method for beginners?
Because it encourages accuracy in scoring and breaking glass and control in using the soldering iron; this equips you for all kinds of stained glass later on. Also, leading is very messy and requires more space than we sometimes have available. Our intermediate class features leading.

Why does the intermediate class cost more than the beginner's class?
Partly because we use more glass for the larger projects we'll be working on and partly because have only 4 students in each class.

Can you do a one-to-one class for me?
We can; get in touch to discuss. If you have a suitable working space, that will keep the cost down.

Relating to 5-day workshops in Cornwall

For your Cornwall 5-day course, is accommodation provided?
Accommodation isn't included - but we show some websites where you can book - either a B&B, a guesthouse that we've stayed in ourselves, or a self-catering cottage. Likely cost is around £300 to £400 for two people sharing a cottage.

What is there to do for a non-artist partner in Porthleven?
There's plenty of glorious scenery if the weather is fine, golf, boat trips, galleries in Newlyn and St Ives, mining and beam engine heritage sites and museums for the enginering-minded, plenty of local tourist attractions, the Minack theatre, the Telegraph Museum, and much more besides. And non-artiost partners are welcome to come along and watch at the studio too!

What do I need to bring?
Stout shoes - for use in the studio; a range of outdoor clothing as the weather can be variable; whatever you would normally take on holiday in the UK; sat-nav is useful; old or scruffy clothes for when we make our leaded pieces; your camera; a design or two to work on if you wish; hiking boots or similar if you want to try the cliff walk.

Are there places to eat nearby?
Lots! There are cafes, Cornish Pasty shops, interesting pubs, plus restaurants of several styles and budgets.

Is lunch provided?
Lunch isn't included as catering for a range of preferences and dietary requirements is difficult for us as well as running the workshop! Instead, there are lots of options - pasties, pub lunches, lunch in one of the cafes in the harbour, or you can even make your own packed lunch. There is a minimart in the village and supermarkets only a few miles away.

Which is the nearest train station to the venue?
Penzance; the route along the English Riviera is lovely if you're coming that way. If we arrange it in good time, we can help with transport to and from the station, and taxis are available outside too.

Why did you choose Porthleven for the workshop?
Partly because the venue is there, largely because we know the area and its attractions, and we like staying there ourselves. It's fast becoming an arty place, with other art and galleries in the village, along with its proximity to St Ives and Newlyn.

Will you be doing a 5-day workshop somewhere else in the UK?
We're thinking about it. We'd be interested to hear suggestions!
In the meantime, we still run our one-day classes in Herts and Northants.

Is there wheelchair access to the studio?
Not really, we're sorry; the studio is in a converted lifeboat house right on the edge of the harbour and there are several steps down into the building.

I don't want to bring my car - will I be able to get around?
Yes - the studio is a short walk from the facilities and holiday accommodation in Porthleven, and all too close to the harbour's best pub! If you want to visit St Ives or Newlyn, we can arrange transport, or we're sure another member of the group will have space in their car on the Wednesday options day.

Can I bring a design to work on?
Yes - or more than one. The last two days of the course are devoted to working on projects, and we'll halp you create or adapt a design to work on. If you don't have a project in mind, we'll help you design one.