While the little pile of what seemed to be scraps of glass didn't look like much, by the time the workshop on Thursday, Nov. 3 was finished, it had become an army of snowmen.
Stettler artist Stephanie Hadley, owner of Remedy Art Studio, held a Christmas-themed workshop where artists – some complete novices and others with a bit more experience – created the two glass snowmen.
The workshop teaches the basics of fusing pieces of glass into designs using lower heat temperatures, though Hadley warned that it was important to use glass designed for the craft rather than any random piece of glass just lying around.
The glass is scored, cut, and ground into specific shape before being layered on top of each other. Then, once the design is complete, it is placed in a kiln for about 13-15 hours.
The temperature inside the kiln rises slowly for six hours before reaching the max temperature of 1,200 degrees Fahrenheit. That blast of ultimate heat only lasts a few moments before the temperature slowly decreases for six hours.
If the temperature decreases too fast, or the kiln is opened too soon, the cooler temperatures can "shock" the glass, Hadley said, resulting in a fractured piece.
Five students came to Hadley's Thursday class, and of those five, only one had been to one of Hadley's earlier fused glass classes.
"My classes are aimed at beginner to intermediate," Hadley said. "I haven't offered higher levels yet."
She said that she is considering offering more complex classes in the new year, as she has enough students now that have progressed beyond the basics.
Erin Weinzierl came to the class after reading about it on Facebook and thinking it sounded interesting.
"I thought it was something cool to do, and a possible Christmas gift," she said.
Though she had never worked with glass before, Weinzierl was inspired.
"I'm loving it," she said. "I want to do more. You can be so creative."
Since even the most careful glass handler can be at risk from glass shards and slivers, people were wearing safety goggles when breaking small pieces, and were encouraged to repeatedly sweep their workspace.
"I don't take students under 14 due to the glass," Hadley said, though she may consider younger students when the work is with pre-cut and pre-shaped pieces.
With the studio now set up, she's ready to embark on wherever her imagination takes her – and the students who come along.
"Glass is so beautiful and versatile," she said. "I love how fast fused glass art is, and how unique it can be."