Stained glass garden spinners are outdoor kinetic sculptures that combine traditional glass skills and contemporary art with movement! Suspended from a tree branch, shepherd's hook, or porch overhang, they rotate to cast dynamic, colourful patterns all around their surroundings.
Spinners can be created in a variety of shapes and methods, including upcycling bike parts, combining glass, wire and fabric! During this workshop, Kate will show you how to create one of these fabulous and unique decorations using stained glass and the Tiffany Copper foiling technique.
This is a fun and exciting workshop, suitable for complete beginners or those experienced working with glass, creating a wonderful decoration for your own home or a really special gift! Kate will have a variety of design templates of varying degrees of complexity, but each as stunning as the next for you to choose from, as well as examples of completed 'Spinners' she has made for inspiration.
Each step of the process will be explained and demonstrated, with ample opportunity to practice each skill before moving on to the next technique. Due to the small class size, everyone will be working at their own pace, and individual supervision is always available.
Core Mechanics & Construction:
PLEASE NOTE: The images used are examples and actual designs on the day may vary.
All tools, materials and safety equipment will be supplied. However, due to the nature of the craft, please can you ensure you are wearing closed shoes (no sandals, crocs or sling-backs) and that long hair is tied back. If you wear reading glasses, it is also advisable to bring these for the close detail work!!
As the soldering process does involve lead based products, it is not advisable for pregnant women or those breast-feeding to attend, and children between the ages of 16 & 18 must be accompanied by a responsible adult.
In addition, due to health and safety precautions, food and drink isn’t allowed at your individual workstations. However, if you would like to have a drink at your desk during the session, please make sure you bring a sealed/covered reusable drinks bottle with you.
A little about your tutor:
Kate is a professional glass artist with over 30 years of experience, working with both the Tiffany and leaded-light techniques of stained glass. She moved to Cumbria 7 years ago, and was so inspired by her surroundings that she decided to change career and set up her business North Lakes Stained Glass, creating landscape and nature-inspired work. You can now find her work for sale online nationally and internationally, as well as at artisan fairs and in galleries across the region. Her portfolio of larger residential installations and public art commissions can be found on her website www.NorthLakesStainedGlass.co.uk.
Having appeared as one of the featured artists on the BBC 1 TV show ‘Make It At Market’ in the spring of 2025, Kate now runs regular workshops throughout the year to introduce and inspire people to enter the wonderful world of stained glass, as well as offering one-to-one mentoring and studio space at her personal studio based in Keswick for those wishing to develop their skills further. dents skills in stained glass, and has created numerous larger commission pieces for residential properties around the country.
9.30pm – 5.30pm
Max numbers 6
Min Age 16.
£105. Additional Material costs to pay on day: £35
Please note tickets are non-refundable. Exchanges to other classes by the same tutor may be offered more than 2 weeks before the start date (subject to availability).
Spinners can be created in a variety of shapes and methods, including upcycling bike parts, combining glass, wire and fabric! During this workshop, Kate will show you how to create one of these fabulous and unique decorations using stained glass and the Tiffany Copper foiling technique.
This is a fun and exciting workshop, suitable for complete beginners or those experienced working with glass, creating a wonderful decoration for your own home or a really special gift! Kate will have a variety of design templates of varying degrees of complexity, but each as stunning as the next for you to choose from, as well as examples of completed 'Spinners' she has made for inspiration.
Each step of the process will be explained and demonstrated, with ample opportunity to practice each skill before moving on to the next technique. Due to the small class size, everyone will be working at their own pace, and individual supervision is always available.
Core Mechanics & Construction:
- Swivel Mechanism: Spinners rely on smooth heavy-duty ball-bearing fishing swivels attached to the hanging chain. This allows even light wind to initiate continuous 360-degree rotation.
- 3D Assembly Jigs: You will be creating 6 identical 3 or 4 inch square panels. We'll then use specialized 3D assembly jigs to assemble multi-panel spinners, to hold glass panels at precise angles while tack-soldering the seams together.
- Ours will be made using traditional copper foil (Tiffany) techniques, pre-tinned wire, solder, and bevels or textured glass that split light into prisms. We will also apply a protective wax which reduces oxidation and keeps the solder bright.
PLEASE NOTE: The images used are examples and actual designs on the day may vary.
All tools, materials and safety equipment will be supplied. However, due to the nature of the craft, please can you ensure you are wearing closed shoes (no sandals, crocs or sling-backs) and that long hair is tied back. If you wear reading glasses, it is also advisable to bring these for the close detail work!!
As the soldering process does involve lead based products, it is not advisable for pregnant women or those breast-feeding to attend, and children between the ages of 16 & 18 must be accompanied by a responsible adult.
In addition, due to health and safety precautions, food and drink isn’t allowed at your individual workstations. However, if you would like to have a drink at your desk during the session, please make sure you bring a sealed/covered reusable drinks bottle with you.
A little about your tutor:
Kate is a professional glass artist with over 30 years of experience, working with both the Tiffany and leaded-light techniques of stained glass. She moved to Cumbria 7 years ago, and was so inspired by her surroundings that she decided to change career and set up her business North Lakes Stained Glass, creating landscape and nature-inspired work. You can now find her work for sale online nationally and internationally, as well as at artisan fairs and in galleries across the region. Her portfolio of larger residential installations and public art commissions can be found on her website www.NorthLakesStainedGlass.co.uk.
Having appeared as one of the featured artists on the BBC 1 TV show ‘Make It At Market’ in the spring of 2025, Kate now runs regular workshops throughout the year to introduce and inspire people to enter the wonderful world of stained glass, as well as offering one-to-one mentoring and studio space at her personal studio based in Keswick for those wishing to develop their skills further. dents skills in stained glass, and has created numerous larger commission pieces for residential properties around the country.
9.30pm – 5.30pm
Max numbers 6
Min Age 16.
£105. Additional Material costs to pay on day: £35
Please note tickets are non-refundable. Exchanges to other classes by the same tutor may be offered more than 2 weeks before the start date (subject to availability).