Glass Workshops

2021 Workshop Season Update:

Touchstone is pleased to be able to offer a modified 2021 workshop season. Based on best practices related to Covid-19, workshops will run at a reduced capacity of 6 participants, all multi-occupancy lodging has been converted to single-occupancy, and mask and social distancing protocols will be strictly enforced. Our updated cancellation policy* can be found

HERE and our Covid-19 Policies and Procedures* can be found HERE *Subject to change.

2021 Workshop Schedule

These workshops are no longer open for enrollment.

JUN 21-25 | 5-DAY (MON-FRI)

The Truth is Stranger Than Fiction

Instructor: Kimberly Thomas

Intermediate – Advanced
$585 Member | $615 Non-Member
$250-$300 Materials and Studio Fees
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This workshop is no longer open for enrollment.

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Combine the worlds of fact and fiction, by creating realistic works entwined with fanciful motifs. Using flameworking, students will produce their own unique narrative, then create a story with their personal sculptural dialect. This class will focus on movement, innovation, attention to detail, as well as developing confidence as sculptors. Using intuition, and experimentation are welcomed and encouraged!

Kimberly Thomas, a glass artist residing in Detroit, MI is known for her intentionally flawed and unusual imagery. A proclivity for the imperfect, dilapidated and objectionable inspire her sculptural work. Using borosilicate glass as a core medium, she challenges viewers to face what makes them uncomfortable in order to offer them opportunities for fresh perspectives and personal development. Kim graduated from the Rhode Island School of Design with a BFA in Ceramics and later worked as a special effects makeup artist. As luck would have it, a fondness for adventure led her to flameworking. In addition to her studio practice, Kim has been a professor of glass at Salem Community College in New Jersey, and a guest instructor at various studios and craft schools across the United States.

Instagram: @iroczii

JUL 18-23 | TEEN WEEK | 6-DAY (SUN-FRI)

A Colorful World of Glass Beads

Instructor: Joy Knepp

All Levels (Ages 14-17)
$615 Tuition
$75 Materials and Studio Fees
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Teen week is no longer open for enrollment.

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Explore the world of glass bead making and see why it can be so addictive. From the time you light the torch and melt the glass, you will be guided through a variety of techniques for creating many different shapes, sizes and designs for your beads. You will learn to decorate your beads with stringers and dots and will use tools to manipulate the shapes and designs with raking, twisting and altering the surface of the glass. We will experiment with different effects that can be achieved in glass such as adding metals, dichroic glass, and metallic frits.

Joy Knepp has been working as a glass artist for more than 15 years and is a retired art educator from the Shanksville-Stonycreek School District. Her education includes Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees in Art and Education from Pennsylvania State University. She has studied and taught techniques in Glass at Touchstone Center for Crafts, Farmington, PA. She has also studied at Pittsburgh Glass Center, Goggleworks in Reading, PA and various workshops sponsored by the International Society of Glass beadmakers Her work has been exhibited and sold in galleries in the region. She is a member of the International Society of Glass Beadmakers, the Three Rivers Glass Beadmakers, PA Art Education Association and Craftsmen’s Guild of Pittsburgh.

Instructor website: http://joybeadzglass.etsy.com
Instagram: @joyknepp

JUL 26–30 | EDUCATORS’ RETREAT | 5-DAY (MON-FRI)

Glass Beadmaking Basics

Instructor: Joy Knepp

Beginner – Intermediate
$585 Member | $615 Non-Member
$105-$135 Materials and Studio Fees
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This workshop is no longer open for enrollment.

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Learn techniques for creating beautiful one-of-a kind glass beads using glass rods and a torch. From lighting the torch and melting the glass, Joy will guide you through methods for achieving the desired shapes and patterns in your designs and show you how colors of glass can be layered to build depth and luminescence. Create a painting in glass from the inside out with a floral bead or an implosion bead. You will leave with lampworking skills to add to your toolbox of creativity!

Joy has been working as a glass artist for more than 15 years and is a retired art educator. She holds Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees in Art and Education from Pennsylvania State University and also studied at Pittsburgh Glass Center, Goggleworks in Reading, PA and various workshops sponsored by the International Society of Glass beadmakers. Her work has been exhibited and sold in galleries throughout the U.S. Joy is a member of the International Society of Glass Beadmakers, the Three Rivers Glass Beadmakers, PA Art Education Association and the Craftsmen’s Guild of Pittsburgh.

Instructor website: joybeadzglass.etsy.com
Instagram: @joyknepp

AUG 2-6 | NATURE WEEK | 5-DAY (MON-FRI)

Reflecting Nature in Stained Glass

Instructor: Neile Cooper

Experienced Beginner – Intermediate
$585 Member | $615 Non-Member
$100-$140 Materials and Studio Fees
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This workshop is no longer open for enrollment.

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Interpret the inspiration you find in nature in stained glass. Explore the array of colors in a sunset or the natural geometry of a pinecone, as you learn the specific rules of designing for stained glass and create your own pattern for a nature themed panel. Learn every step of creating a small panel including special techniques for incorporating natural materials like crystals, pressed flowers, or butterfly wings. Only a basic understanding of the tools and techniques of copper foil technique is required. Those early in their stained glass adventures are welcome to attend this class. Environmental Educators from Powdermill Nature Reserve will be on hand to enhance your exploration of the Touchstone campus.

Neile has been working in stained glass for over 20 years. Her passion for stained glass inspired her to create The Glass Cabin, a small cabin covered entirely in her stained glass windows. The Glass Cabin has been featured on Colossal, Martha Stewart and Elle Décor. From her New Jersey studio, she creates windows in her unique, illustrative, nature-inspired style for homes all around the country.

Instagram: @neilecooper

SEP 11-13 | 3-DAY (SAT-MON)

Introduction to Linework

Instructor: Jake Erie

Intermediate
$410 Member | $440 Non-Member
$90-$130 Materials and Studio Fees
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This workshop is no longer open for enrollment.

Come learn the founding tenets of creating and utilizing your own lined tubing. In this workshop, you will create a variety of different patterns in linework and incorporate them into shot glasses and other drinkware. This class focuses not only on the technical aspects of linework, but also composition theory, introducing ways that linework sections can be integrated into larger glass pieces. This class is for those that are ready to stretch and grow their design work!

Jake Erie began blowing glass in 2010, beginning in the hotshop. In 2011, he began flameworking and never looked back. Jake attended Salem County Community College’s Glass Art program before becoming a professional artist. His work is primarily abstract sculpture, integrating linework sections throughout.

Instagram: @headiyeti

SEP 18-19 | 2-DAY (SAT-SUN)

Introduction to Flameworking:
Beads, Marbles, and Pendants

Instructor: Michael Mangiafico

Beginner
$300 Member | $330 Non-Member
$55-$80 Materials and Studio Fees
Download Materials List

This workshop is no longer open for enrollment.

Delve into the fundamentals of creating beads, marbles, and pendants from glass with expert guidance. No experience – no problem! By the end of the weekend you will be comfortable with operating a torch and creating small objects. Enjoy two days of exploring the colorful world of glass and the many techniques and processes that can be used to achieve a variety of interesting effects.

Michael is a glass artist and educator living and working in Pittsburgh PA. He graduated from Carnegie Mellon University and has continued to bolster his education by attending and teaching glass art seminars at notable institutions such as the Pilchuck Glass School, the Penland School of Crafts, The Pittsburgh Glass Center, and Touchstone Center for Crafts. Michael owns and operates Fig Studios- Forms in Glass where he designs and creates sculptures and craft items from glass.

Instructor website: figstudios.com
Instagram: @deedleweed

Workshops are filled on a first-come-first-served basis. Many fill quickly. Please register at least 15 days ahead of the start of any workshop so that we can count you in! Touchstone makes the determination of whether a workshop will run 14 days in advance of all workshops’ scheduled start date, primarily based on the number of participants registered at that time.

A processing fee of $15 will be added to 1-5 day workshops.

Nonrefundable COVID-19 Fee: A $10 (1- & 2-day workshops), $15 (3-day workshops), and $20 (5-day workshops) COVID-19 fee will be charged per participant, per workshop during the 2021 season to help offset the extraordinary additional and increased expenses to Touchstone for cleaning, sanitizing, PPE, disposables, and other costs directly related to ensuring health, safety, and social distancing requirements as outlined by the World Health Organization and the Center for Disease Control and Prevention. This fee is nonrefundable.

To view a full listing of the Terms and Conditions as part of your enrollment, download the 2021 Student Guide.

Touchstone Center for Crafts prohibits discrimination in employment, educational programs, and activities on the basis of race, national origin, color, creed, religion, sex, age, disability, veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity, or association preference. Touchstone Center for Crafts also affirms its commitment to providing equal opportunities and equal access to its facilities and programming.

(724) 329-1370

Glass Workshops

2021 Workshop Schedule

These workshops are no longer open for enrollment.

JUN 21-25 | 5-DAY (MON-FRI)

The Truth is Stranger Than Fiction

Instructor: Kimberly Thomas

This workshop is no longer open for enrollment.

JUL 18-23 | TEEN WEEK | 6-DAY (SUN-FRI)

A Colorful World of Glass Beads

Instructor: Joy Knepp

Teen week is no longer open for enrollment.

JUL 26–30 | EDUCATORS’ RETREAT | 5-DAY (MON-FRI)

Glass Beadmaking Basics

Instructor: Joy Knepp

This workshop is no longer open for enrollment.

AUG 2-6 | NATURE WEEK | 5-DAY (MON-FRI)

Reflecting Nature in Stained Glass

Instructor: Neile Cooper

This workshop is no longer open for enrollment.

SEP 11-13 | 3-DAY (SAT-MON)

Introduction to Linework

Instructor: Jake Erie

This workshop is no longer open for enrollment.

SEP 18-19 | 2-DAY (SAT-SUN)

Introduction to Flameworking: Beads, Marbles, and Pendants

Instructor: Michael Mangiafico

This workshop is no longer open for enrollment.

Introduction to Flameworking:
Beads, Marbles, and Pendants