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Classes  >>  Glass 



Our glass program includes hot and coldworking options. Lampworking (also known as flameworking) uses soft glass rods and an oxy-fuel torch to create beads and other small pieces. We also offer fundamental and project-based classes in stained glass, including sculptural and jewelry-scale techniques.

Click on the course name to see all class meeting dates, times, and course fee.

If you're looking for a Reheater option, select the class you'd like to Reheat and choose the appropriate fee when registering.

Please read these FAQs for details about what to bring/wear, refund policy, age requirements and more. We've also compiled a sensory rubric with more information about what to expect in a particular type of class. 

Joining a waitlist? Before you add yourself to a waitlist for a class that's full, it helps us if you're pretty certain you'll be available. If a spot becomes available, you'll be automatically registered and given about 24 hours to confirm your registration by paying. If we have a long list of folks who are no longer interested, it can be time-consuming to fill that spot. Thank you!

Upcoming classes

  • Lampworking: Soft Glass Bead Fundamentals

    • Wed, January 07, 2026
    • Wed, February 04, 2026
    • 5 sessions
    • 3749 Chicago Ave, Minneapolis, MN
    • 0
    Join waitlist

    This class is an in-depth study of flamework (also known as lampworking) using a dual-fuel torch and Italian soft glass to create glass beads. You'll build a repertoire of techniques through hands-on practice, as you learn a variety of shaping techniques, glass manipulation, cane creation, and surface decoration. Creative combinations are limitless! We will have ample time in each class session to practice and hone new skills. Safety protocol, including proper tool and equipment use, will be covered. Wear long pants and closed-toe shoes.

    $265 ($225 tuition + $40 materials)  |  5 weeks
    Open to ages 16 and up.

    Instructor: Mary Ila Duntemann

    Show details

  • Borosilicate Glass Flameworking Fundamentals

    • Mon, January 12, 2026
    • Mon, February 16, 2026
    • 6 sessions
    • 3749 Chicago Ave, Minneapolis, MN
    • 0
    Join waitlist

    This immersive class will introduce you to the basics of borosilicate glass flameworking. We'll start by covering safety protocols and learning how to use the torch and other tools. Each week we'll focus on a different skill and technique, building your repertoire along the way. We'll practice applying color, twisting, pulling, bending, and sculpting molten glass. You'll also learn how to draw with glass, turn a piece of glass into a pendant by adding a bale, and make a complex sculpture with multiple bits welded together. The last session will be a "free day," where you can try out new ideas with instructor guidance, or continue practicing a technique already covered.

    $320 ($270 tuition + $50 materials) |  6 sessions
    Open to ages 16 and up.

    Instructor: Ashley Austin 


    Show details

  • Leaded Stained Glass Fundamentals

    • Tue, January 20, 2026
    • Tue, February 24, 2026
    • 6 sessions
    • 3749 Chicago Ave, Minneapolis, MN
    • 2
    Register

    Leaded stained glass, also known as lead lighting, dates back to the 11th century and is the form of most stained glass windows found in churches and architecture. The process involves fitting glass pieces into the channels of a strip of lead called “came” and then soldering the pieces together.

    In this class you'll create your own stained glass window using this traditional method. You'll start by choosing from a selection of patterns (approximately 1ft by 1ft). Then you'll learn how to cut and grind glass pieces to fit, build the window using lead came, and solder and putty the piece. At the end of the class you'll have a beautiful panel of your own design, proper understanding of lead safety measures, confidence in glass cutting, and a basic knowledge of leading and soldering a window.

    $320 ($270 tuition + $50 materials)  |  6 weeks
    Open to ages 18 and up.

    Instructor: Evalin Becker 


    Show details

  • Open Torch Time: Soft Glass

    • Sun, January 25, 2026
    • 2:30 PM - 5:30 PM
    • 3749 Chicago Ave, Minneapolis, MN
    • 2
    Register

    Open Torch Time is available to people who have taken (or are currently taking) a lampworking class at CAFAC.

    Keep your chops up with regular Torch Time and share studio time with your fellow artisans! You supply the consumables (glass, mandrels, and bead release) and CAFAC will supply the torches and tools. We have space for up to seven lampworkers, so sign up today to reserve your spot at the torch!

    $45

    Instructor: Mary Ila Duntemann 

    Show details

  • Open Stained Glass Studio

    • Sun, February 08, 2026
    • 10:00 AM - 1:00 PM
    • 3749 Chicago Ave, Minneapolis, MN
    • 7
    Register

    Open Stained Glass Studio is available to people who have taken (or are currently taking) a stained glass class at CAFAC.

    This is your opportunity to get into the studio to work on projects or keep practicing your skills. You'll work independently with an instructor on hand if you have questions. You supply the consumables (glass, lead-free solder, foil, flux, and patina) and CAFAC will supply the tools and equipment. 

    $45

    Instructor: Samael Leopold Sullivan

    Show details

  • Borosilicate Glass Project Sampler: Little Critters

    • Sun, February 08, 2026
    • 2:00 PM - 5:30 PM
    • 3749 Chicago Ave, Minneapolis, MN
    • 0
    Join waitlist

    Learn how to make your own little critter in borosilicate glass! Borosilicate is the beefy cousin of soft glass. It's in the same family as Pyrex, allowing it to withstand multiple heat/cool cycles with minimal cracking and is commonly used to make vessels for laboratory experiments (aka scientific glass). Because it takes more heat to melt, it allows artists more time and control while sculpting with it. In this class, you'll learn how to light a torch, melt glass, and play with color and shape. You'll assemble and join components into a solid 3-D form, anneal your critter and give it a name if you'd like! No prior glass experience needed.

    Please note: Your little critter will be available to pick up two days after class, in order to give it time to complete the annealing process.

    $75 ($65 tuition + $10 materials)
    Open to ages 16 and up.

    Instructor: Samael Leopold-Sullivan 

    Show details

  • Stained Glass Project Shop: Heart Suncatcher

    • Thu, February 12, 2026
    • 1:00 PM - 5:00 PM
    • 3749 Chicago Ave, Minneapolis, MN
    • 2
    Register

    Bring a little love to your life by learning make your own stained glass heart suncatcher! This is an ideal project to learn the basics: how to read a stained glass pattern, cut glass, assemble and solder components, and patina and seal your finished project. Patterns will be provided and you can choose between a couple different styles of hearts No prior stained glass experience needed. 

    $85 ($70 tuition + $15 materials)
    Open to ages 16 and up.

    Instructor: Samael Leopold-Sullivan


    Show details

  • Borosilicate Glass Flameworking Intro: Implosions

    • Thu, February 12, 2026
    • Thu, February 19, 2026
    • 2 sessions
    • 3749 Chicago Ave, Minneapolis, MN
    • 1
    Register

    Designed for beginner flameworkers, in this class you'll learn the basic flameworking techniques needed to create multiple types of implosions with borosilicate glass. Implosions are a popular glass technique that creates the appearance of a magnified design within clear glass, often used in making pendants and marbles. We will cover safety protocol, tool and equipment use, and beginner flameworking techniques. Through hands-on practice, you will explore how to manipulate the glass with the flame and embed colorful designs into clear glass. These implosions can later be used to create pendants or marbles. Wear long pants, closed toe shoes, and if your hair is long, put it up.

    $125 ($110 tuition + $20 materials)
    Open to ages 16 and up.

    Instructor: Ashley Austin 


    Show details

  • Lampworking Sampler: Valentine's Day Hearts

    • Sat, February 14, 2026
    • 10:00 AM - 1:00 PM
    • 3749 Chicago Ave, Minneapolis, MN
    • 3
    Register

    Spend Valentine's Day playing with glass and fire! In this workshop, you'll create a variety of heart-shaped beads while learning the basics of glass bead-making, also known as lampworking. We'll start with basic bead creation then cover skills such as making and placing different sized dots and using tools to shape the glass into hearts of various sizes and types.
    Expect to make 6-8 beads plus several basic beads in the class time. No experience necessary!

    $70 ($55 tuition + $15 materials)
    Open to ages 16 and up.

    Instructor: Kathy Schultz

    Show details

  • Open Torch Time: Soft Glass

    • Sun, February 15, 2026
    • 2:30 PM - 5:30 PM
    • 3749 Chicago Ave, Minneapolis, MN
    • 3
    Register

    Open Torch Time is available to people who have taken (or are currently taking) a lampworking class at CAFAC.

    Keep your chops up with regular Torch Time and share studio time with your fellow artisans! You supply the consumables (glass, mandrels, and bead release) and CAFAC will supply the torches and tools. We have space for up to seven lampworkers, so sign up today to reserve your spot at the torch!

    $45

    Instructor: Mary Ila Duntemann 

    Show details

  • Open Torch Time: Borosilicate Glass

    • Sat, February 21, 2026
    • 2:00 PM - 5:00 PM
    • 3749 Chicago Ave, Minneapolis, MN
    • 6
    Register

    Open Torch Time is available to people who have taken (or are currently taking) a borosilicate glass class at CAFAC.

    Keep your chops up with regular Torch Time and share studio time with your fellow artisans! You supply the glass and CAFAC will supply the torches and tools. We have space for up to six flameworkers, so sign up today to reserve your spot at the torch!

    $45

    Instructor: Ashley Austin

    Show details

  • Stained Glass: Copper Foil Fundamentals

    • Mon, February 23, 2026
    • Mon, March 30, 2026
    • 6 sessions
    • 3749 Chicago Ave, Minneapolis, MN
    • 5
    Register

    Learn the basics of stained glass and add some color and sparkle to your life! This class will introduce the basics of stained glass using the copper foil technique, which involves wrapping each glass piece in copper tape and then soldering the pieces together to form the whole. You'll learn and practice all the steps in the process of creating stained glass pieces, including using patterns, cutting and grinding glass, foiling, and soldering. We'll start with 2D pieces and you'll have the opportunity to explore 3D forms. As we progress, you're encouraged to bring your own ideas and the instructor will assist in translating them into stained glass.

    $320 ($270 tuition + $50 materials)  |  6 weeks
    Open to ages 16 and up.

    Instructor: Samael Leopold-Sullivan 


    Show details

  • Stained Glass Project Shop: Snowflake Star Suncatcher

    • Sun, March 01, 2026
    • 10:00 AM - 2:00 PM
    • 3749 Chicago Ave, Minneapolis, MN
    • 3
    Register

     Call it a snowflake or a star, this pointy project will add some sparkle to your life! This introductory workshop will cover the basics of stained glass with copper foil: how to read a pattern, cut and prepare glass, assemble and solder components into a 2-D or 3-D form, and patina and seal your finished project. Patterns will be provided and you can choose between making a 2-D or 3-D piece. No prior stained glass experience needed. 

    $85 ($70 tuition + $15 materials)
    Open to ages 16 and up.

    Instructor: Samael Leopold-Sullivan 


    Show details

  • Lampworking Skill Session: Old World Trade Beads

    • Sat, March 07, 2026
    • Sun, March 08, 2026
    • 2 sessions
    • 3749 Chicago Ave, Minneapolis, MN
    • 5
    Register

    Handcrafted glass beads have been made for hundreds of years. In this class, we will focus on replicating beads from the 19th Century: Lewis & Clark beads, skunk beads, French cross beads, end-of-day beads and more. We will practice surface distressing techniques to give the beads an old patina appearance.


    Prerequisite: Experience on a dual-gas torch is a prerequisite. Wear long pants and closed toed shoes and long hair pulled back.

    $110 ($90 tuition + $20 materials)

    Instructor: Mary Ila Duntemann 

    Show details

  • Leaded Stained Glass Project Shop: Quilt Square

    • Tue, March 10, 2026
    • Tue, March 24, 2026
    • 3 sessions
    • 3749 Chicago Ave, Minneapolis, MN
    • 0
    Join waitlist

    Dip your toes into the world of lead lighting in this beginner-level class. You'll learn and practice leaded stained glass techniques in the process of making a small piece inspired by quilt squares. We'll cover safety when working with lead and by the end of this crash course you'll have a basic understanding of cutting and grinding glass, leading a window, and soldering - and leave with a unique piece of your own creation! No experience necessary.

    $160 ($135 tuition + $25 materials)
    Open to ages 18 and up.

    Instructor: Evalin Becker

    Show details

  • Stained Glass Sculpture: Geometric Terrarium

    • Wed, March 11, 2026
    • Wed, March 25, 2026
    • 3 sessions
    • 3749 Chicago Ave, Minneapolis, MN
    • 8
    Register

    Ever wanted to build your own terrarium? Now you can! This is an intermediate-level glass class, prior experience not required but absolutely recommended. If you have ever taken a stained glass class or soft soldered jewelry class you will be ready to challenge yourself to create a three dimensional glass project. You'll learn all of the techniques required to make a geometric terrarium that you will get to take home with you at the end of class. All of the supplies and tools will be provided.

    During this course, you'll learn how to use the tools and techniques necessary for cutting glass. You'll choose from a selection of patterns for your terrarium and cut the glass pieces for your project. Once we have cut all our pieces we'll apply the copper foil to the glass pieces in preparation for assembly. Next we will heat up our soldering irons and assemble our terrariums! After soldering, you'll apply patina to the solder seams for your desired metal finish and add some shine to the seams with polish. Our last step will be to add some sand or dirt and some plants to our terrarium. At this point your new botanical masterpiece will be ready to go home with you!

    $160 ($135 tuition + $25 materials)
    Open to ages 16 and up.

    Instructor: Annemarie Hines 

    Show details

  • Lampworking Sampler: Hungry Caterpillar Bookmark

    • Sat, March 14, 2026
    • 2:00 PM - 5:00 PM
    • 3749 Chicago Ave, Minneapolis, MN
    • 6
    Register

    The childhood classic, The Hungry Caterpillar, is the inspiration for this introductory  glass bead-making (aka lampworking ) workshop. You'll create a bookmark featuring decorative glass beads to keep or share with your favorite bookworm. We'll start with basic bead creation then cover skills such as making and placing different sized dots and using tools to shape the glass to finish this fun class. Expect to make 6-8 beads plus several basic beads in the class time. Metal bookmark included in class fee and your bookmark will be assembled at pick-up. No experience necessary!

    $70 ($55 tuition + $15 materials)
    Open to ages 16 and up.

    Instructor: Kathy Schultz

    Show details

  • Open Torch Time: Soft Glass

    • Sun, March 15, 2026
    • 2:30 PM - 5:30 PM
    • 3749 Chicago Ave, Minneapolis, MN
    • 5
    Register

    Open Torch Time is available to people who have taken (or are currently taking) a lampworking class at CAFAC.

    Keep your chops up with regular Torch Time and share studio time with your fellow artisans! You supply the consumables (glass, mandrels, and bead release) and CAFAC will supply the torches and tools. We have space for up to seven lampworkers, so sign up today to reserve your spot at the torch!

    $45

    Instructor: Mary Ila Duntemann 

    Show details

  • Stained Glass Project Shop: Geometric Suncatcher

    • Sat, March 21, 2026
    • 10:00 AM - 2:00 PM
    • 3749 Chicago Ave, Minneapolis, MN
    • 4
    Register

    Welcome to a crash course in stained glass! This is a beginner-level stained glass class, no prior experience necessary. We will learn all of the techniques required to make a geometric suncatcher that you will get to take home with you at the end of class. All of the supplies and tools will be provided.

    In this workshop, you'll learn how to use the tools and techniques necessary for cutting glass. Next, we'll choose from a selection of patterns and cut the glass pieces for your project. (There will be lots of colors and textures to choose from!) Once we've cut all our pieces we'll apply the copper foil to the glass pieces in preparation for assembly. Then we'll heat up our soldering irons and assemble our suncatchers! After soldering, you will apply patina to the solder seams for your desired metal finish. We will wrap up the class by polishing our suncatchers. At this point your new stained glass suncatcher will be ready to go home with you!

    $85 ($70 tuition + $15 materials)
    Open to ages 16 and up.

    Instructor: Annemarie Hines


    Show details

  • Open Torch Time: Borosilicate Glass

    • Sat, March 21, 2026
    • 2:30 PM - 5:30 PM
    • 3749 Chicago Ave, Minneapolis, MN
    • 6
    Register

    Open Torch Time is available to people who have taken (or are currently taking) a borosilicate glass class at CAFAC.

    Keep your chops up with regular Torch Time and share studio time with your fellow artisans! You supply the glass and CAFAC will supply the torches and tools. We have space for up to six flameworkers, so sign up today to reserve your spot at the torch!

    $45

    Instructor: Ashley Austin

    Show details

  • Open Stained Glass Studio

    • Sun, March 22, 2026
    • 10:00 AM - 1:00 PM
    • 3749 Chicago Ave, Minneapolis, MN
    • 8
    Register

    Open Stained Glass Studio is available to people who have taken (or are currently taking) a stained glass class at CAFAC.

    This is your opportunity to get into the studio to work on projects or keep practicing your skills. You'll work independently with an instructor on hand if you have questions. You supply the consumables (glass, lead-free solder, foil, flux, and patina) and CAFAC will supply the tools and equipment. 

    $45

    Instructor: Samael Leopold-Sullivan

    Show details

  • Lampworking Skill Session: Silver & Dark Ivory

    • Sat, March 28, 2026
    • Sun, March 29, 2026
    • 2 sessions
    • 3749 Chicago Ave, Minneapolis, MN
    • 5
    Register

    Add a few more lampworking techniques to your tool kit! This skill-building session is for you if you already have experience using a dual gas torch with COE 104 soft glass. You'll learn how to:

    • Make and use silvered ivory stringer
    • Create dark ivory reactions
    • Blow silvered shards and then apply to beads

    It's science! Class fee includes blow pipe, fine silver, and silver leaf. Wear natural fiber clothing and closed-toe shoes.


    $120 ($90 tuition + $30 materials)

    Instructor: Mary Ila Duntemann 

    Show details

CHICAGO AVENUE FIRE ARTS CENTER   3749 Chicago Avenue  |  Minneapolis, MN 55407  |  612-294-0400  |  info@cafac.org 

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