Kiln Forming
– KILN FORMING CURRICULUM – LEARN THE FUNDAMENTALS –
Four Week Survey Classes & Workshops
Through a structured series of Survey Classes and Workshops, students gain hands-on experience with fused and slumped glass techniques—from foundational design to advanced mold use.
Each level begins with a Survey Class, a four-week series that introduces core concepts, technical processes, and studio safety for that stage. After completing a survey, students can further hone their skills through targeted Workshops offered at the same level.
To move from one level to the next, we ask that students complete three workshops at their current level. This ensures a strong foundation before tackling more advanced techniques.
Here’s how the structure works:
- Survey Classes: 4-week series introducing foundational techniques include a set materials credit (to help get started right away)
- Workshops: provide specialized skill-building experiences (materials not included)
- Progression: Complete 3 workshops after each Survey Class to move to the next level
- Included: All tools, equipment, and safety gear
- Instruction is hands-on, guided by experienced artists in SiNaCa’s dedicated kiln forming studio
Whether you’re learning color reactions in Survey II or mastering mold use in a Level Three workshop, each step builds confidence and creative range—adding depth and polish to your personal portfolio.
📎 Before You Begin –
Be sure to review our FAQ page for important info on what to wear, when to arrive, and how to complete your Release Form. It’s everything you need to know before your first class.
Kiln Forming Survey I: Understanding Kiln Formed Glass
Price: $450 Per Participant | Class Duration: 4 days | 3 hours/day | Class Size: Min 3 – Max 8 | Ages 14+ | Prerequisite: None
This course is designed to be the first step in introducing students with no glass working experience to the possibilities of kiln formed glass. This 4-week (12 hour) survey course will focus on safety, tools, basic firing and cold working techniques. Student projects for this course will include designing and creating a hanging sun catcher, a 6×6” Platter and a 12×6” Platter.
Tools and basic supplies are included in this course. Students are given an $40 materials credit.
Additional glass is available for purchase in the SiNaCa Store.
Kiln Forming Level One Workshops
Advance Your Technique and Creative Confidence
Level One workshops are designed for students who have completed Survey I and are ready to explore more advanced kiln forming techniques. These guided, project-based sessions emphasize process, precision, and creative exploration.
All instruction takes place in SiNaCa’s dedicated kiln forming studio using Bullseye Glass (90 COE). Tools and basic supplies are included. Materials are not included, but compatible glass is available for purchase through the SiNaCa Store.
By completing Level One Workshops, students will:
- 🔹 Practice advanced layering, powder application, casting, and cold-working
- 🔹 Expand their design vocabulary and comfort with studio tools
- 🔹 Create functional and decorative works using specific methods
🧭 To advance to Survey II, students must complete at least three Level One Workshops.
Level One Platter Workshop: Breaking the 6mm Rule |
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Price: $190 Per Participant | Duration: 1 session : 4 hours per session | Class Size: Min 2 – Max 6 | Ages 14+ | Prerequisite: KF Survey I This 4 hour workshop will focus on the possibilities of stacking and overlapping sheet glass. Student projects for this workshop will include designing and creating a 6” stack bowl and one other item demonstrating single layer overlapping.
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Level One Technique Workshop: Taking Powders to the Next Level |
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Price: $190 Per Participant | Duration: 1 session : 4 hours per session | Class Size: Min 2 – Max 6 | Ages 14+ | Prerequisite: KF Survey I This 4 hour workshop will focus on different ways of working with powders to create imagery. Student projects for this workshop will include designing and creating a 6” powder effects platter and one other item using a wet powder technique.
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Level One Casting Workshop: Kiln Carving |
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Price: $190 Per Participant | Duration: 1 session : 4 hours per session | Class Size: Min 2 – Max 6 | Ages 14+ | Prerequisite: KF Survey I This 4 hour workshop will focus on using fiber construction to create designs with relief, contour, and texture. Student projects for this workshop will include designing and creating a 6×6” relief platter or hanging window panel.
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Level One Jewelry Workshop: Pendant Basics |
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Price: $190 Per Participant | Duration: 1 session : 4 hours per session | Class Size: Min 2 – Max 6 | Ages 14+ | Prerequisite: KF Survey I This 4 hour workshop will focus on the basic steps of creating fused cabochons. Student projects for this workshop will include designing and creating up to 4 pendants illustrating several kiln forming techniques. We will also cover basic cold working and finishing techniques used in glass jewelry making.
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Level One Workshops – Now Enrolling
Kiln Forming Survey II: Building on the Basics
Price: $450 Per Participant | Class Duration: 4 day | 3 hours/day | Class Size: Min 4 – Max 8 | Ages 14+ | Prerequisite: KFI & 3 Level 1 Workshops
This course is designed to be the next big step in our beginning kiln forming curriculum. In this 4-week (12 hour) course, you will begin working with and making pattern/design/part sheets to create complex design with glass by utilizing frit, powders, stringers and enamels. Student projects for this course will include designing and creating one unique 12”x6” platter and one 3 piece serving set.
Tools and basic supplies are included in this course. Students are given an $60 materials credit.
Additional glass is available for purchase in the SiNaCa Store.
Kiln Forming Level Two Workshops
Advance Your Technique and Creative Voice
Level Two workshops are designed for students who have completed Kiln Forming Survey II and are ready to deepen their technical fluency and personal expression. These guided, project-based sessions introduce more advanced kiln forming methods—emphasizing control over heat work, surface development, and multi-process design strategies.
Participants will explore layered compositions, subtle color interactions, and shaping techniques that push the boundaries of form and function.
All instruction takes place in SiNaCa’s fully equipped kiln forming studio using Bullseye Glass (90 COE)—the industry standard for tested-compatible kiln glass. Tools and basic supplies are included. Materials are not included but are available for purchase in the SiNaCa Store.
🧭 To advance to Kiln Forming Survey III, students must complete at least three Level Two Workshops.
Level Two Platter Workshop: Strip Construction |
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Price: $280 Per Participant | Duration: 2 sessions : 4 hours per session | Class Size: Min 2 – Max 6 | Ages 14+ | Prerequisite: KF Survey II This 2-day (8 hour) workshop will focus on working with strip cut patterns. Student projects for this workshop will include designing and creating two 6” platters. One demonstrating a chevron design and one using an on-edge strip technique.
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Level Two Technique Workshop: Transparency, Texture & Draping |
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Price: $280 Per Participant | Duration: 2 sessions : 4 hours per session | Class Size: Min 2 – Max 6 | Ages 14+ | Prerequisite: KF Survey II This 2-day (8 hour) workshop will focus on transparency and texture. Student projects for this workshop will include designing and creating a 6” draped form using glass stringers.
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Level Two Casting Workshop: Casting with Fiber |
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Price: $280 Per Participant | Duration: 2 sessions : 4 hours per session | Class Size: Min 2 – Max 6 | Ages 14+ | Prerequisite: KF Survey II This 2-day (8 hour) workshop will focus on creating designs with layered fiber paper. Student projects for this workshop will include designing and creating a dimensional cast block.
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Level Two Jewelry Workshop: Reactions, Frit Molds & Decals |
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Price: $280 Per Participant | Class Size: Min 4 – Max 8 | Ages 14+ | Prerequisite: KFII This 2-day (8 hour) workshop will focus on working with reactive materials, frits and high fire decals to create wearable glass art. Student projects for this workshop will include designing and creating at least three pendants using frit molds, reactive glass and high fire decals
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Level Two Workshops – Now Enrolling
Kiln Forming Survey III: Working Thicker
Price: $450 Per Participant | Class Duration: 4 day | 3 hours/day | Class Size: Min 4 – Max 8 | Ages 14+ | Prerequisite: KFII & 3 Level 2 Workshops
This course is designed to be the next big step in our beginning kiln forming curriculum. In this 4-week (12 hour) course, you will begin working on more complex designs in thicker glass. Student projects for this course will include designing and creating at least one bits and pieces flow bar that will be incorporated into a platter.
Tools and basic supplies are included in this course. Students are given an $80 materials credit.
Additional glass is available for purchase in the SiNaCa Store.
Kiln Forming Level Three Workshops
Refine Your Voice and Master Complex Processes
Level Three workshops are designed for students who have completed Kiln Forming Survey III and are ready to refine their personal style, experiment with layered processes, and engage in more self-directed, technique-intensive work.
At this stage, workshops encourage creative autonomy, allowing students to synthesize everything they’ve learned while pushing into new territory—whether that’s advanced slumping, kiln casting, cold working, or multi-stage firing schedules.
Instruction takes place in SiNaCa’s professional kiln forming studio using Bullseye Glass (90 COE), with individualized guidance from experienced instructors. Tools and studio supplies are provided. Project materials are sold separately through the SiNaCa Store.
Level Three Platter Workshop: Pattern Bar |
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Price: $400 Per Participant | Class Size: Min 3 – Max 6 | Ages 14+ | Prerequisite: KFIII This 3-day (9 hour) workshop will focus on creating complex, repetitive color application with pattern bars. Student projects for this workshop will include designing and creating several projects using a complex color application achieved through pattern bar.
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Level Three Technique Workshop: Vitrigraph |
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Price: $400 Per Participant | Class Size: Min 3 – Max 6 | Ages 14+ | Prerequisite: KFIII This 3-day (9 hour) workshop will focus on using a special kiln called the vitrigraph. Student projects for this workshop will include designing and creating several projects incorporating murrine and stringers pulled from the vitrigraph.
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Level Three Casting Workshop: Layered Powder Imagery |
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Price: $400 Per Participant | Class Size: Min 4 – Max 6 | Ages 14+ | Prerequisite: KFIII This 3-day (9 hour) workshop will focus on layering imagery in glass. Student projects for this workshop will include designing and creating a multi layered image block. We will stencil images to create back, middle and foreground. We will then fuse the layers together to create one cohesive image casting.
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Level Three Jewelry Workshop: High Temperature Fires |
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Price: $400 Per Participant | Duration: 3 sessions : 3 hours per session | Class Size: Min 2 – Max 6 | Ages 14+ | Prerequisite: KF Survey III This 3-day (9 hour) workshop will focus on the possibilities and inevitable challenges in working with kiln formed glass at high temperatures. We will explore ways to work with our extra bits and pieces to create unique swirl patterns using pot and screen melts. Student projects for this workshop will include designing and creating complex color swirl sheets with that will be used to create cabochons.
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Level Three Workshops – Now Enrolling
Advanced Kiln Forming Workshops
Advanced workshops are offered periodically for students who have completed Kiln Forming Survey III and are seeking deeper exploration into personal projects, experimental techniques, or professional-level practices. These sessions may include topics like multi-stage firings, large-scale assemblies, or creative problem solving with molds and texture.
Offerings in this category vary and may be announced seasonally or by demand. Keep an eye on this page or subscribe to our newsletter to be the first to know when new opportunities open up.
| Imagery on Glass | Fused Mosaics | Drop Ring & Deep Slumps |
| Hot Raking | Painting on Glass | Inclusions |
| Lost Wax Casting | Pate De Verre | Hollow Forms |
| Life Casting | Mold Making | Vitrigraph Murrini |
| Wire Wrapping | High Fire Decals |
Kiln Forming: Elevating Imagery with Powder Wafers
Elevate your glass art and explore new dimensions of creativity using glass powder in this 2-session (6-hour) class. Discover innovative techniques as you work with stencils on sheet glass and create stunning powder wafers using the Fusing Factory Powder Printer. This unique tool allows you to achieve intricate, multi-color designs with precision and ease. Stencils are ideal for generating imagery, designs, and blending colors, while the powder printer enables precise multi-color stencil designs that can be adjusted before re-firing.
Each participant will create one final project using a stencil technique of your choice.
What’s Included:
- Tools and basic supplies for the workshop
- Expert instruction and guidance
Note: Materials are not included, but glass is available for purchase in the SiNaCa Store.
SiNaCa Studios uses and teaches with Bullseye Glass (90coe) exclusively in our kiln forming studio.
