I spent a most creative, joyful & productive weekend at Michelle O’Donnell’s “Glass Fusing” workshop.
Michelle proved to be a very patient, informative, entertaining & organised tutor. Materials were provided, examples of previous work displayed, & and ideas & encouragement given to each participant. A large , ‘safe work area was provided. We also got to have coffee outside & lovely lunches.
I can highly recommend this course to anyone thinking of trying something new & creative over a weekend.
Thank you Michelle,
I’ll be back !
Yours Sincerely,
Sheila Kingston.
A huge thank you, Michelle. Your fused glass workshop was wonderful. I thoroughly enjoyed learning a new skill. Coloured glass has always intrigued me. Now I have a much greater appreciation of the materials, expertise and huge cost, involved in each piece you create.
I look forward to my beginners pieces revealing themselves, once the kiln has worked its magic. Your patience as a tutor, your passion and enthusiasm really made the workshop extra special.
Keep up the good work. You are truly blessed to enjoy your talent / gift and work at it for a living. I will be back. Fused glass panels for my dream home.
With Thanks ,
Philomena.
Michelle’s workshop was such a delight. A beautifully stunning location, a large workshop space alongside a gallery full of colourful creative glass ideas, what more could you wish for – nice food perhaps- this super woman provides that too!
She is an extremely generous facilitator, sharing so much of her time and her technical knowledge, encouraging and building confidence, in her students, of the glass processes. She also gently suggests creative additional ideas which in fact put the icing on the cake, you are not on your own!
Her love for her ‘delicious’ craft and her fun personality is truly infectious. What a joyous uplifting experience, I will be back. Don’t delay in signing up for a session with Michelle, you will be giving yourself a real treat, whether you are a beginner or experienced.
Thanks again.
Vera.
Attending Michelle’s recent glass fusing workshop at her stunning studio in Offaly was a pleasure and a revelation. I learned a lot over the three days. Large double doors left open to let in the summer breeze, coupled with a spacious layout, unobtrusively facilitated social distancing measures. Michelle shared her extensive technical knowledge in glass work with courtesy and kindness.
We all felt encouraged and supported by Michelle to experiment with the profusion of raw materials available. It was just really good fun in a wonderful atmosphere. The gorgeous lunch was an opportunity to share ideas and relax, as every precaution was taken to keep us safe at this strange time. The whole experience was food for the soul.
Marian
A great workshop !
Michelle has a real passion for glass and she passed that on to me. She could not have been more helpful and she shared her knowledge of glass as well as showing examples of her own beautiful creative pieces. She was wonderful with ideas, techniques and technical information and so encouraging that I loved every minute. I got so much from the weekend.
It was so exciting to see all the participants’ work come out of the kiln all the different colours and textures. Michelle sent us the video as she opened the kiln to reveal all the beautiful glass. It was wonderful to meet such a lovely, creative group of people in the workshop.
Michelle also had delicious home made food for us .
With Covid-19 all social distancing and hygiene precautions were in place and Michelle was well organised with masks, shields, gloves and sanitizing gel. The workshop was big and airy with lots of space to work. Thank you Michelle for a wonderful weekend.
My recommendation is – do it you won’t be sorry ! Michelle is great ! I am looking forward to the next one.
Maree
I spent a glorious time at a one-day glass fusion and enamelling workshop in Michelle O’ Donnell’s Glasshammer studio in County Offaly. I had never used glass for anything artistic before so this was a complete introduction for me.
To prepare us for the glass fusion technique, Michelle began with a glass cutting demonstration followed by a hands-on try out for each us. Her gentle demeanour and easy-going way got us all believing in ourselves so much so that within minutes of the tuition, masks and gloves were on and everyone wastotally absorbed in their own creations.
There was a huge choice of glass colours available to usand it was a great fun overlapping colours and understanding how the light works throughthem. She floated from person to person with tips and guidance as we worked and to my amazement, we had all completed a glass fusion piece before lunch!
We were then treated to a most enjoyable homemade lunch on the patio of her home nearby. We were surrounded by gorgeous countryside with foals running about in the fields for our entertainment. We returned to the studio at a leisurely pace and after more tuition, we began enamelling on glass, again we had access toa great choice of enamel colours and we could make our new piece on any shape of glass that we liked.
I have now seen the end results of all the work which she fired in the kiln for us, it is hard to believe how varied the work is and how so much was achieved by novices in such a short time.
We learned so much, had a laugh and were very safe in her spacious studio. Michelle had all the appropriate measures taken to comply with the current restrictions.
In these difficult times, it was so pleasant to have an unusual day away. I recommend it highly especially to anyone who wants a change from the current status quo!
Thank you Michelle for everything.
Marie Moylan
I spent a magical day with Michelle in her bright, airy and covid-safe workshop learning the basics of fusing and enameling. Michelle greeted us with such warmth and hospitality – and wonderful coffee and sweet treats! – and showed us some of her amazing work. Fired up with enthusiasm, we were gently guided through the different stages of glass fusing, Michelle lending lots of encouragement and guidance with a light touch.
Michelle treated us to a delicious lunch on her sunny patio, surrounded by beautiful countryside. The afternoon went all too quickly as we discovered the alchemy of glass enameling. Our pieces safely in the kiln, it was all too soon time to leave.
I left Michelle and her beautiful oasis in Rhode feeling energized and full of creative inspiration, just the tonic in these difficult times.
Thanks Michelle, let me know if there’s enough of us to do a follow-on class.
Bonz Cannon Glass Fusing Co
I just completed a glass fusing weekend workshop at Glasshammer Studios. It was a fantastic experience, well worth attending. Michelle is a lovely warm, bubbly and generous person. She patiently explains the techniques and is very willing to share her vast knowledge and experience of glass work. She encourages and inspires you to complete works that you never thought you could do.
The studio is spacious and airy with lots of work space, masks and gloves are provided. It was great to see the different pieces that individuals produced over the weekend. I can’t wait to see my pieces which Michelle is sending on to me.
Lovely food is provided for lunch where we can all chat and relax on her lovely outdoor patio.
In these uncertain times it was fabulous to immerse oneself in something so relaxing and creative. I definitely intend returning to do another workshop in the future. I would have no hesitation recommending Michelle’s workshops to anyone.
Sincere thanks again Michelle for a fabulous weekend.