Paint Away! to host glass fusing workshop

Paint Away!, the ceramics painting studio at Redmond Town Center, has expanded its glass fusing offerings and will hold an introductory workshop from 6-9 p.m. Thursday, July 23 at 7329 164th Ave. NE.

Cost of the workshop is $5 to cover refreshments, plus the cost of a project you'll choose. Project pieces start at $16.

Paint Away! owner Hazel Roos said the studio has always had some glass fusing materials and instructions available, but they have added more types of glass, better organized the presentation and provided more training to staff members.

"We never charge for training — we provide it as a service to our customers," said Roos. So if you want to try glass fusing at Paint Away!, you don't have to attend the workshop.

But people like the workshops "to feel more comfortable ... and practice on samples," she noted.

Glass fusing is suitable for older children, teens and adults because it requires more dexterity than painting projects at the studio, Roos added.

How does it work?

"You select a glass blank — it's like your canvas," she explained. The blanks come in different sizes and shapes.

Then you start your design. Sheet glass can be cut into shapes or they have pre-cut strips, chips or nuggets of colorful glass. Transparent frits are granular cut grass that can be added to the project.

"Customers can check a design book for ideas. We show them how to use the tools," Roos continued.

For a full-fuse project, the cuttings, strips, chips or nuggets are melted right into the glass. For a tack-fuse project, they are attached to the glass with a raised appearance.

Paint Away! also has molds to help customers make decorated plates, serving bowls or votive candle holders.

This fall, they will add products to make jewelry such as four glass pendants for $24 or $75 for 16 pendants. They'll provide the "bail," the thing that loops around to connect the pendants to a chain, bracelet or earrings. Other materials are readily available at bead or craft shops such as Ben Franklin in downtown Redmond.

For more details about the glass fusing workshop, visit www.paintawaynow.com, call (425) 861-8388 or e-mail info@paintawaynow.com.

Contact Redmond Reporter Reporter Mary Stevens Decker at mdecker@redmond-reporter.com or (425) 867-0353, ext. 5052.

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