All in person classes have been cancelled for the year.
300-061320 Two day one weekend class being offered.
Saturday, June 13, 2020 9:00AM to 3:00PM
Sunday, June 14, 2020 11:00AM to 3:00PM
This one weekend two-day class will introduce the student to the basic concepts and skills needed for fusing glass tableware.
The student will complete two fused plates in the class that will give him or her an introduction to the principles of full fuse, tack fuse, bending, compatibility, devitrification, annealing and volume control. There will also be a number of demonstration lecture periods dealing with firing schedules, trouble shooting the most common problems like bubbles and setting up your kiln for in-home studio operation.
This is a very comprehensive class that will provide a large amount of handout materials for the student to use for future reference after the class.
No previous glass work experience is needed for this class, but the student will need to provide a glass cutter, running pliers and breaking pliers.
J Ring Glass provides firing services for students who have completed this class.
Click here check out some of the student projects from past classes.
J Ring Glass requires all students taking classes to wear fully closed shoes (no exposed toes or foot tops).
300-061320
Saturday, June 13, 2020 9:00AM to 3:00PM
Sunday, June 14, 2020 11:00AM to 3:00PM
This one weekend two-day class will introduce the student to the basic concepts and skills needed for fusing glass tableware.
The student will complete two fused plates in the class that will give him or her an introduction to the principles of full fuse, tack fuse, bending, compatibility, devitrification, annealing and volume control. There will also be a number of demonstration lecture periods dealing with firing schedules, trouble shooting the most common problems like bubbles and setting up your kiln for in-home studio operation.
This is a very comprehensive class that will provide a large amount of handout materials for the student to use for future reference after the class.
No previous glass work experience is needed for this class, but the student will need to provide a glass cutter, running pliers and breaking pliers.
J Ring Glass provides firing services for students who have completed this class.
One weekend class - Two class sessions
J Ring Glass requires all students taking classes to wear fully closed shoes (no exposed toes or foot tops).
Price includes tuition with all materials and supplies.
Note: Tuition is not refundable or transferable unless the class is canceled or rescheduled.
5.00
Global Rating: 5.00 from 26 reviews
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Introduction to Plate Making No.300
5.0
Excellent class
By Ann S
The fusing class was extremely helpful, as Joe has clearly honed the skill of teaching complex information, about topics such as firing schedules, glass chemistry and response to heat, and strategies for consistent results, in a very understandable, succinct way. He provided lots of useful tips that were worth the price of the course by themselves. It will save me a lot of grief to use strategies he has learned over his 30-plus years of glasswork to sidestep potential pitfalls.
The class was a nice size, with lots of opportunities for questions and individual coaching. Joe is very patient with new learners while providing more experienced glassworkers with knowledge that brings their skills to a new level as well.
I left feeling a lot more confident about my own glass fusing. Lots of the gaps in my knowledge, including areas that I had found very confusing to read about online, were filled in. Thanks for giving us great value for our investment!
The class was a nice size, with lots of opportunities for questions and individual coaching. Joe is very patient with new learners while providing more experienced glassworkers with knowledge that brings their skills to a new level as well.
I left feeling a lot more confident about my own glass fusing. Lots of the gaps in my knowledge, including areas that I had found very confusing to read about online, were filled in. Thanks for giving us great value for our investment!
Introduction to Plate Making No.300
5.0
Plate Making 7/18
By Peggy K
This was a great class. Very informative, very organized. Information was all set up and ready to take home for future use. Lots of 1 on 1 help.
Had a great time while learning. Would encourage anyone interested in fusing to take this. Worth it!
Had a great time while learning. Would encourage anyone interested in fusing to take this. Worth it!
Introduction to Plate Making No.300
5.0
Introduction to Plate Making & Pendants 5-23-2016
By JoAnn M.
I learned so much from the class! Joe explained things in great detail also explaining why things turned out a certain way. We covered so many topics that I couldn't begin to list them all. Joe is such an excellent instructor and extremely knowledgeable when it comes to anything dealing with glass work. I would highly recommend this class to anyone thinking about it. I had to drive about 5 hours to take this class and was worried that we wouldn't get any time to actually shop for some of the things that he showed us. We did have some time to shop and Joe did let us get things at the end of the last day. I hope to take more classes from them in the future.
Introduction to Plate Making No.300
5.0
Intro to plates & pendants
By Tracy P.
Signed up for this class with limited stained glass experience. I had no idea of the magnitude of the complexities involved with fusing. Was a bit intimidated at first... Concerned it would be too much to absorb in a weekend class, but Joe converted his expertise into lay men's terms & was very patient with enthusiastic students & many, many questions.
We were also educated on kilns, molds, assorted techniques & cause & effect: to think conceptually about the process, therefore allowing us to learn & to to figure out solutions independently.
I would highly recommend this course to anyone with interest in understanding the glass fusing process. I look forward to taking some of the other classes available & to continue to shop at their fabulous store! I am very thankful to have to have J. Ring in the Twin Cities!
We were also educated on kilns, molds, assorted techniques & cause & effect: to think conceptually about the process, therefore allowing us to learn & to to figure out solutions independently.
I would highly recommend this course to anyone with interest in understanding the glass fusing process. I look forward to taking some of the other classes available & to continue to shop at their fabulous store! I am very thankful to have to have J. Ring in the Twin Cities!
Introduction to Plate Making No.300
5.0
A "Fuse" ion of Art & Science
By Sharon Dinges
This class is a wonderful introduction to "warm glass" and taught by Joe Ring, who has been working with warm glass since the 1970s.
The material and techniques presented are easy-to-understand and the projects build progressively to provide a very practical understanding of kiln work - whether you are new to art glass or are a seasoned veteran.
Regardless of whether you have a science or engineering background (guilty as charged) or you will find that Joe very effectively blends engineering jargon with real-world, hands-on examples for those who prefer to steer clear of periodic tables.
I took this class just two weeks after Spectrum and Bullseye glass became casualties of the (necessary) enforcement of US EPA standards. Joe addressed the issue of sourcing COE 90 & 96 glass - head on - indicating that he was already testing other types of glass.
Joe was fusing glass before "system 96" existed and I have no doubt that J Ring will be a leader through the transition.
The material and techniques presented are easy-to-understand and the projects build progressively to provide a very practical understanding of kiln work - whether you are new to art glass or are a seasoned veteran.
Regardless of whether you have a science or engineering background (guilty as charged) or you will find that Joe very effectively blends engineering jargon with real-world, hands-on examples for those who prefer to steer clear of periodic tables.
I took this class just two weeks after Spectrum and Bullseye glass became casualties of the (necessary) enforcement of US EPA standards. Joe addressed the issue of sourcing COE 90 & 96 glass - head on - indicating that he was already testing other types of glass.
Joe was fusing glass before "system 96" existed and I have no doubt that J Ring will be a leader through the transition.
Introduction to Plate Making No.300
5.0
Comprehensive Class
By Bill Syring
-Nicely organized classroom well set-up for the class.
-Good materials with plenty of note taking room.
-Great instructor. Took the time to understand questions and provided informative answers. Cleared up a number of misconceptions that I had.
-I will be taking more classes.
-Good materials with plenty of note taking room.
-Great instructor. Took the time to understand questions and provided informative answers. Cleared up a number of misconceptions that I had.
-I will be taking more classes.
Introduction to Plate Making No.300
5.0
Great Class
By L. Grass
Joe provided the knowledge and the tools to understand fused glass. This is a great introductory class for me as I explore this type of art. The opportunity to complete 3 projects during the class was really nice and helped to understand the concepts Joe talked about. I have recommended this class to my friends.
Introduction to Plate Making No.300
5.0
Wow
By Mike
Where to start
The classroom:
Dedicated large space
Quality tools and equipment
Quiet
Plenty of room for students
Instruction:
Easy to learn
Very informative
Lots of example pieces for a thorough understanding of the lesson at hand
The instructor:
My first class at J Ring Glass
I thought I won the lottery
Joe has many years in the industry and teaching glass classes, but beyond the year thing joe has passion AND a gift to teach
This.guy is a walking encyclopedia of glass knowledge and more importantly , makes you feel really comfortable and makes it easy to learn and understand
Straight up folks :
If you have an itch to learn about glass art in its many different forms
Do yourself a favor, save the frustration, sign up for a class and save lots of time, energy, and money and stop throwing glass away
And yes I have signed up for another class !!!
Can't wait
The classroom:
Dedicated large space
Quality tools and equipment
Quiet
Plenty of room for students
Instruction:
Easy to learn
Very informative
Lots of example pieces for a thorough understanding of the lesson at hand
The instructor:
My first class at J Ring Glass
I thought I won the lottery
Joe has many years in the industry and teaching glass classes, but beyond the year thing joe has passion AND a gift to teach
This.guy is a walking encyclopedia of glass knowledge and more importantly , makes you feel really comfortable and makes it easy to learn and understand
Straight up folks :
If you have an itch to learn about glass art in its many different forms
Do yourself a favor, save the frustration, sign up for a class and save lots of time, energy, and money and stop throwing glass away
And yes I have signed up for another class !!!
Can't wait
Introduction to Plate Making No.300
5.0
Great Class!
By Cathy
I was looking for a class just like this. I've taken classes but none taught me how to use my kiln. After this class I feel confident I can program my kiln and get better results. Thanks Joe!
Introduction to Plate Making No.300
5.0
Review Submitted 2014-05-08 14:25:19
By Kris Sax
Great class, lots of useful information! First time doing kiln work and enjoyed it very much! Joe is great making sure you understand everything covered in class!
Introduction to Plate Making No.300
5.0
Review Submitted 2014-05-06 09:15:26
By Tami Carlson
Great class - Joe is very knowledgeable and helpful. He really explained the physics of glass and how to get good results. Loved it!
Introduction to Plate Making No.300
5.0
Review Submitted 2013-09-27 21:24:16
By Janet Casey
This class was terrific. I have always wanted to learn more about fusing glass. Joe did a great job helping the group understand glass fusing techniques. I will definitely take additional classes. It was well worth my time.
Introduction to Plate Making No.300
5.0
Review Submitted 2013-09-23 08:13:54
By Randy Johnson
I just finished taking the Intro to plate making and loved it. A lot of information was presented but by the end of the weekend it all started to make since. The 3 projects helped to understand the dynamics of glass fusing. I would recommend this class to anyone interested in learning about fused glass in more detail. Joe is extremely knowledgeable and willing to share it and loves to answer questions and is very approachable. I am signing up for his advanced plate class.
Introduction to Plate Making No.300
5.0
Review Submitted 2013-06-19 12:43:04
By Ann Marie Johnson
AWESOME! Joe is a veritable encyclopedia of information, which (my only complaint!) I had to sometimes hear several times to put all the nuance together. I wish I had received the written information before class started, AND READ IT! I would have understood what I was seeing so much better. Fortunately having now read the information several times, and having fused several projects of which I am very proud, I feel confident enough to invest in my own kiln which was my goal all along. Many thanks to Joe for his unending patience and especially his obvious love of the art.
Introduction to Plate Making No.300
5.0
Review Submitted 2013-06-16 15:05:07
By Laurie Johnson
Great class! Joe is so knowledgeable and explains the underlying concepts so you know what you are to do and why. I enjoyed the logical progression of the material. What a store, as well!!! Not enough time to do everything that is imagined with the materials available.
Introduction to Plate Making No.300
5.0
Review Submitted 2013-03-12 01:08:44
By Terry Rawlings
Highly recommend this class and am looking forward to taking the next. I learned so much about glass fusion but also realize it is a rather complicated topic. Joe was patient, thorough and used great . We all walked away with beautiful pieces that we can enjoy for many years to come.
Introduction to Plate Making No.300
5.0
Review Submitted 2013-02-01 09:45:51
By Bruce Montgomery
Joe does an excellent job in explaining the physics and chemistry aspects of glass fusion in a very folksy, entertaining and highly visual style..........truly outstanding class!
Introduction to Plate Making No.300
5.0
Review Submitted 2013-01-22 11:10:19
By Adam Reef
This was a wonderful class. It presented thorough information about glass fusing process and materials with an emphasis on why and how materials work the way they do. Understanding why we are doing something really helped me remember details and feel able to predict results in my future work. The class presented a lot of practical information in a short period of time. After taking the class, I feel confident that I understand the basic ideas behind glass fusing and kiln work. I can make simple projects, and I have a better idea of how to move forward. Plus, the projects were a lot of fun! A great class and a great bargain!
Introduction to Plate Making No.300
5.0
Review Submitted 2013-01-20 19:39:26
By Brooke McCann
This was such a great class!! So informative and will sure help when fusing glass in the future and buying a kiln!!! If you want to start fusing yourself take this class its so well worth it!! Can't wait for my next class at J.Ring in March!
Introduction to Plate Making No.300
5.0
Review Submitted 2012-10-10 10:15:10
By Sandy Johnson
What a great class. Very informative and all questions were answered. It would be worth your while to attend!!
Introduction to Plate Making No.300
5.0
Review Submitted 2012-05-21 14:57:40
By Ashley Andrighetti
I loved this class. Joe answered any questions that anyone had with patience and knowledge. We learned a variety of skills and techniques that will be applied to everything we do. I enjoyed the projects very much, they were not only are fun and beautiful, but they taught you a lot for future things you may do. I look forward to taking the advanced class, and any other class Joe will teaches!!!
Introduction to Plate Making No.300
5.0
Review Submitted 2011-12-23 16:53:14
By Beth Shires
If you are remotely considering buying a kiln this is the best class to take. It is worth every penny and the time is well spent. Joe, not only teaches you how to assemble the three items you make in class, but explains why each step is needed for the end results on each project. To begin with he goes through the basic steps on how to prepare your kiln, before you fire the first time. Also how to prepare your molds before they are used the first time. Joe made the class fun. It was not rushed, and he took his time and answered all questions, most of the time with an example of what not to do. There was so much important information wrapped in this class, that if you didn't have the bug for glass fusion, you did after the class was over Kudos to Joe and his J-Ring gang.....Beth
Introduction to Plate Making No.300
5.0
Review Submitted 2011-12-09 12:01:25
By Judy Libertus
From Judy & Sarah: I love the fact that there was no such thing as a "dumb" question, because I had a boatload of them. Joe was extremely patient and was able to describe how to do things many different ways until it is understandable. We made 3 beautiful pieces which surpassed the cost of the class and made us proud. This was the greatest class I have ever taken and would not hesitate to take another class at J Ring again. I feel like I know more about glass than I ever would. We have told many people what a great class this is and what a bargain it is to get Joe for 3 days to yourself.
Introduction to Plate Making No.300
5.0
Review Submitted 2011-12-08 12:29:30
By Barb Klug
I am in the processing of wanting to buy my first kiln and this class was extremely informative on what type of kiln would be best. This class also helped me understand all the steps to fusing. The class was also a lot of fun and I even got to try some new cutting tools. That was way cool. Thanks so much. I recommend this class to anyone interested in fusing whether they own a kiln or not.
Introduction to Plate Making No.300
5.0
Review Submitted 2011-10-12 00:25:29
By Dan Sweeney
Joe did an excellent job teaching this class. I walked away from this class knowing how to do many techniques in glass fusing. I loved that this class was taught over a 3 day period in the same weekend. I was easily able to adjust my schedule around it. My favorite part was opening the kiln the following day to see the finished projects. Will be back for other classes. Thanks J Ring.
Introduction to Plate Making No.300
5.0
Review Submitted 2011-01-24 09:55:25
By Anne Bentley
Awesome class! As usual Joe is a great instructor, teaching not only WHAT to do, but how and why specific techniques work while others don't. Joe has a wealth of information on glass and glass arts. This alone is worth the price BUT he also knows how to teach! I would take a class from Joe any time without hesitation.