2026 Classes
Email me to get on a Waitlist!
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All levels of students can attend Beginning Classes. Note: Sunday, August 2nd is an Intermediate level class. See below for details.
For $175, learn all the steps of the stained glass process in a day! This includes cutting, grinding, wrapping, soldering, patina and polish.
Classes are held outside my studio in Manila under a covered carport and run 10 am - 3 pm. Supplies, materials and designs will be provided. No outside patterns please, unless you have taken my Intermediate level.
This class is for ages 16 and up.
There are 6 available spots per day. I need 3 people to sign up for a date to go ahead, so invite your friends! Sorry, I cannot hold seats. No refunds permitted one week before class unless I can fill the space.
Intermediate Class:
If you’ve taken my Beginning class (or equivalent) and have a solid grasp of stained glass skills, you are eligible to take my Intermediate class. We delve into pattern-making and take a closer look at the tools and techniques.
Contact me if you have questions. See FAQs below.
Please note: Payment is non-refundable. If you need to cancel I will definitely try to fill your spot and refund you (minus Square fees) if someone fills it.
FAQs about the Intermediate Class
Who, When, Where?
Still me, still at the carport outside my studio.
To take this Intermediate level class, students should have a good understanding of using the tools and materials involved in stained glass making. If you struggled in a previous class, you should retake the Beginning class to build your abilities.
Classes start at 10:00 am and end when we finish. (In 2025, people went longer than any beginning class, finishing closer to 5-6pm. I'm hoping to make some changes to make things move a little quicker. If you need to be out by 4pm, we can make it happen)
What are we making?
The 2026 Intermediate glass class is for making suncatcher ornaments and includes a demo for how to design your own suncatcher. I will teach students how to design with durability and originality in mind, and then how to create a pattern with glass to bring their design to life.
It is entirely optional to design your own ornament. You may choose to skip that part and keep using the designs I provide.
The glass provided will be the same as the beginning class (bins of various glass pieces in smaller sizes and some sheets of glass). Feel free to bring your own! (For 2026: I'm considering putting out larger pieces of glass, 10"x10"ish, for sale at class. Please share ahead of time if you have colors of glass in mind for your project. I will try to make something available for you.)
What kind of design can I make?
Designs should be in the 6"x6" range and have between 5-15 pieces. They will be suncatchers, not framed windows. (I've had a request to teach how to put a border on these suncatchers. I will have some hobby came available for this and will teach those skills, but not the wider lead channel.)
All my ornament designs from previous classes will also be available. You will have time to make multiple ornaments, if desired.
If you'd like to share your suncatcher idea with me for early feedback, feel free to email your image to colleen@colleencliffordart.com. I encourage students to come prepared with ideas and sketches in mind, but we can certainly start from scratch.
What else are we learning?
There will be a lot of focus on designing the original patterns. But we can also discuss just about every aspect of making stained glass in more detail than we did during beginning class.
Students can email me specific questions ahead of time so I make sure to fit the lessons in. Some ideas: cutting deep curves; setting up or cleaning the grinder; choosing the best glass colors/textures for a pattern; where to purchase supplies; etc.
I will be able to help anyone who needs a little refresher about the tools and process as we go. But again, you should have a solid grasp of the steps and process of making stained glass.
Can I make something bigger?
Unfortunately not in this type of class. People have requested making bigger, or framed, window hangings, but I do not have the set-up and materials to do it this year. That style of class would also cost a bit more. Maybe next year!
Why is the class fee non-refundable?
I only have a select group of students who are at the level to take my Intermediate classes. So, there is a smaller pool to draw from to replace anyone who drops out. The seats are coveted and I'd like to take on only those ready to commit.
Can I still sign up for a class that isn't Intermediate level?
Absolutely! However, you will have to sit through those beginning demos again, which actually may be quite helpful! Or you can continue to work quietly during those demos and get more done on your own projects.
Can my Beginning level friends come to an Intermediate class? I swear, I'll teach them everything!
Nope.
Can I figure out how to make my own design in a Beginning class, while you teach the Beginning demos?
Nope. Learning how to make custom patterns requires my instruction, input, and more of my time/materials. I cannot offer this while I'm teaching Beginners.
I do expect that once I've taught you how to make a pattern at an Intermediate class, you would be able to come to any class and treat it as open work time making suncatchers.
Introduction to Stained Glass, College of the Redwoods, Spring 2019
Stained Glass Suncatcher Workshop, Art of the Burl Redwood Gallery, Summer 2019
Introduction to Stained Glass, College of the Redwoods, Fall 2019