Weekend Glass Fusing Intensive with Helen Rudy in Lakewood, Colorado

At the Furnace Glassworks studio in Lakewood, Colorado, a weekend with artist Helen Rudy turns raw glass into objects that hold color and light like small, portable landscapes. Located at 11354 W 13th Ave in the western Denver suburbs, this two-day Basic Skills Intensive teaches beginners how to cut, assemble, and kiln-fire functional and decorative pieces. The classroom smells faintly of warm glass and kiln wash; the room is laid out with hand tools, molds, and racks of flat sheet glass in bold hues. Course structure is pragmatic and hands-on. Over two days (9:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. with a lunch break) the group of up to eight students progresses from basic scoring and breaking to grinding, shaping, and understanding tack and full fuses. You’ll learn to use cutters, running pliers, nippers, grinders, and how to load glass into a kiln for a 1460°F firing. Helen demonstrates a layered approach—measuring and hand-cutting each element, then building up color and texture through multiple firings—so participants can complete trinket dishes, platters, or small sculptures by workshop’s end. What makes this workshop special is Helen Rudy herself: a largely self-taught maker who studied with notable instructors and whose commissions include structural panels and fixtures for clients around the world, as well as a recent commission from the Denver Art Museum. Her method emphasizes controlled risk—learning from 'disasters' and miracles alike—and a patient, iterative kiln practice that can require several firings over days to achieve final form. Practicalities are straightforward. All tools, safety gear, prepared decorative elements, and flat glass are provided; you only need to bring curiosity and a willingness to experiment. The studio’s compact size and small class limit mean individualized feedback; it’s an ideal introduction for adults and teens aged 12 and up. Accessibility accommodations for hand strength or sitting are available upon request. This is more than a skill clinic; it’s an introduction to a glassmaking workflow rooted in studio traditions yet responsive to contemporary design. For travelers staying in Lakewood or nearby Denver, the class is an accessible creative day trip that combines tactile learning with a souvenir you made yourself. Whether you arrive wanting basic technique or to push color and form, the Basic Skills Intensive with Helen Rudy delivers the tools, the kiln time, and the mentorship to leave with a finished piece and the confidence to continue exploring glass. Nearby cultural stops include the Denver Art Museum and small galleries in Golden and the Edgewater corridor, making the workshop an easy addition to an art-focused weekend. Public transit and nearby parking at 13th Avenue make arrival simple, and the studio team can advise on accommodations for visiting students traveling from out of state. Arrive early, please.