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Nartique Glass
20 Cobblestone Court
Casselberry, FL 32707
(407) 831-6247
(407) 831-6247(Fax)

Art Glass Books, Supplies, Custom Glass & Workshops

Our Studio

The Wheelhouse Studio

Nartique Glass is happy to announce that we offer a wide range of art glass workshops and glass crafts classes in our Wheelhouse Studio. Glass workshops for "out-of-towners" are available on weekends, while we also offer week-night sessions and intensive full day classes for our local or visiting students.

Our new teaching/production studio is our pride and joy! As we mentioned earlier, in 2006 we "christened" it "The Wheelhouse Studio" because the facade of the building is decorated with Liz's grandfather's tug boat steering wheel. After captaining this working ship for decades, it was given to him when he retired, as a gesture of his mate's pride and affection!

Because of this, it holds great sentimental value for us, and like a potter has his/her kiln gods, grandfather's wheel is our symbol of love and protection. Again, it is a great metaphor for the fact that you are the captain of your dreams, and our belief in our ability to steer you in their direction!

Our Teaching Philosophy

We believe instruction is at its best when it is individualized and relevant. We also realize that you can take any number of classes/workshops from other sources that will have four to ten, possibly even twenty other students! Instead, we wish to offer a different, and we know more personal and effective learning experience. For that reason, our workshops include no more than three students, usually only two! We also offer private one-on-one instruction for students who prefer a personal course of instruction.

All classes/workshops start out with a thoughtfully developed course outline. However, prior to your workshop, we will discuss your needs and goals. After ascertaining this information, which is critical to a satisfying and productive educational experience, we will tweak the course in an effort to ensure personal relevance! We never want a student to walk away feeling that something has been left out or misunderstood! We promise that we will make every effort to make sure that you will learn exactly what you came here to learn!!! And you'll have fun doing it!

Studio Facts

When you come to take a class with us, you will find a studio that is set in a tropical garden and is state-of-the-art! We believe this because...We have 10 different brands, sizes and configurations of kilns, so that you will gain a variety of experiences working with different kiln set-ups and controllers. While developing appropriate firing schedules and techniques, our goal is to help you to determine the type of kiln that will best suit your needs at home!

Our studio is air conditioned for your comfort during our warmer Florida days! Our workstations are spacious, well-lit, comfortable and complete. Each station is provided with the Morton Grid System, and a variety of tools for you to experiment with and experience. Three grinding stations, prevent waiting and loss of design time. Our studio is also equiped with a Crystal Master Pro Lap Wheel, a Taurus Ring Saw, a tile cutter for cutting bars and thick pieces of glass, a sandblaster, as well as, a belt sander for coldworking glass. We also have a variety of smaller tools and pieces of equipment needed to do all aspects of glass work! We boast a large assortment of glass...and, basically, can provide you with anything you could possibly need!

For "messy work" like plaster mixing and various casting processes, kiln shelf preparation, sandblasting etc., we have a pleasant outdoor work area. This helps to reduce your, and our exposure to, and inhalation of harmful chemicals and particles. It also helps to keep the glass studio clean, and free of particulate contaminants! And... as a bonus, we have an excuse to work outside some of the time, enjoying our beautiful, sunny Florida weather!

Three-Day Intensive Workshop Information

All of our current workshops and classes are described in detail in the Workshops section of this website, where you can also sign up. We offer a wide variety of courses that deal directly with specific art glass processes, creativity and design training, as well as, teaching certification courses. We offer weekend workshops for travelers and for those who are interested in an intense immersion course, and we also offer classes for local students on Tuesday nights from 6:30 to 9:00PM, and have "Open Studio" time on Wednesday evenings from 6:30 to 9:00PM. Check our calendar to see what courses are currently being planned for 2008. Keep in mind, however, that our courses are not written in glass! We are flexible, and are always open to new ideas. So, if you are looking for something and don't see it...use our Contact Us form, and we'll see if we can develop a course for you. We are here for you, and will respond to your suggestions and feedback.

Depending on the content of the wrkshop, most run for 2 -- 3 days, generally spanning a weekend. Workshops run from 10:00 to 4:30, allowing you time to also enjoy the sights and excitement of the many activities available in the Orlando area! Speaking of which, we encourage all our students to visit our local Charles Hosmer Morse Museum of American Art located in quaint Winter Park...only 15 minutes away! The Morse Museum is home to one of the world's most comprehensive collections of Tiffany Art Glass. Talk about inspiration!

All materials are supplied and are included in the tuition fee (unless otherwise specified). Supplemental materials will also be provided for students to take home: handouts, booklets, sometimes CD's and surprise extras!

Your workshop tuition will also cover the yummy lunches that will be provided daily. Together, we will enjoy a relaxing, tasty meal (of your choice) in our lovely, shaded garden dinning area! This will be an important part of our daily sharing and caring for each other...time to re-evaluate our direction, making sure that you leave The Wheelhouse with the knowledge you came to obtain. It is also an opportunity to kick-back and let that right brain click into gear, so your creative juices are flowing when we return to the afternoon's studio work. An unexpected bonus will be a chance to glimpse our many feathered friends that visit our "feeding gazebo", and best of all our resident squirrel, "Peanut Boy" who happily munches on cobs of corn from his very own Bahamian style table and chair!

Coffee and bagels will be provided each morning (so plan on arriving at 9:30 AM), this way you will not have to worry about getting a breakfast before class. And beverages of your choice will be on hand, ice-cold in a cooler...ready for you whenever you want them!

On the last day of your workshop, all work will be "finished" and then positively critiqued. We believe that this is an essential tool for artistic growth. It will help you to recognize, and consequently be better able to build upon your strengths! We will also help you protect and pack your glass works for safe travel. Of course, we will gladly ship anything that you don't wish to carry with you. We have all the necessary packing supplies on hand!

The last day is also one of celebration. All day long while we work on finishing processes, our li'l smoker will be cooking our celebration dinner! The aroma of hickory smoked ribs and chicken will tempt you while we ease into the formal end of our class together.

Finally, it will be time to celebrate our successes, new knowledge and hopefully, new found friendships! We will extend some of that famous Southern Hospitality as we all enjoy a Southern Style Bar-b-que with tasty and tender smoked meats, accompanied by scrumptious side dishes! Vegetarians, fear not! We can accommodate you, as well. Dinner will be enjoyed poolside, along with some brewskies or wine. Of course, attendance is not compulsory, but we hope that you will want to celebrate along with us!

What To Bring

Although we will provide all the tools that you will need for your workshop, we encourage students to bring their favorite glass cutting tools: cutter, running pliers, breaker and grozier pliers. In addition, safety glasses, pencil, pen and notebook, and some magazines/books and/or photos and sketches to use for inspiration. If however, while you are here, you decide that you would like to purchase a style of tool or any supplemantal materials, all supplies can be readily purchased at the studio at any time during your visit!

What To Wear

As always, it makes sense to layer. Even though this is Florida, the "sunshine state", sometimes it gets a little cool. So, if you are layered, you can take off or put on what you need to feel comfortable.

Be sure to think safety! Obviously, most, if not all of our classes utilize glass. Whenever you are in a glass studio be sure to have safety eye glasses and closed toe shoes to protect you from broken or shattered glass. Also, we tend to use kilns and torches with extreme heat, and even open flames. So, avoid wearing long sleeves that are "puffy" or "billowy". Wear clothing that is cotton, wool or denim, and bring along an apron or smock. Long hair should be tied back.

For Local Students

For our neighbors, within driving distance, or those of you who may be visiting in the area, we offer a number of learning options. Students can sign up for 6 weeks of instruction at a time, or a full day intensive class, with a focused course of study based upon your interests and level of expertise. We also offer a number of one or two-night specialty classes that focus on a specific skill or project. Check our calendar for details...

Generally, classes will be held on Tuesday evenings from 6:30 to 9:00 PM, and Saturdays from 10:00 Am to 4:30 PM. As always the number of students will be limited from 1 to 2-3 students. This way instruction will be personal and one-on-one.

We also offer "Open Studio" every Wednesday evening from 6:30 to 9:00 PM for those students who have demonstrated a level of mastery that will allow them to benefit from self-directed exploration. We strongly believe that students should have the opportunity to pursue their creative endeavors in a well-equipped studio, especially when such space is not available at home.

There will always be someone on hand to supervise or help students whenever necessary. Open Studio provides access to materials and equipment in a low-key, non-threatening environment -- something that we feel is essential for individual artistic growth. Open Studio is also limited to three students, so sign up as soon as possible!

Policies

Registration
You may enroll in a workshop, class or Open Studio, on-line under the Workshop Section on this website. Payment must be made in full in order to register you. Upon receipt, we will send you an e-mail confirmation, usually within one business day. You may also sign up by phone: (407) 831-6247. Please have your class number and credit card information ready to complete the registration process. We will e-mail or USPS mail to you a confirmation receipt depending on your preference. Finally, you may register via mail by sending your name, address, phone number, course name and number, and payment by check or credit card (Credit card information that must be provided: name on credit card, credit card number, expiration date, and your signature). Send the above to:

Workshop Registration
Nartique Glass
20 Cobblestone Ct
Casselberry, FL 32707-5410

Credits and Refunds
Since our classes are based on such a small number of students, we cannot issue a full refund unless cancellation is unavoidable due to an emergency. We ask that you provide proof of such, in order to get a full refund.

Otherwise, if you will not be able to attend a course as planned, we ask that you notify us at least two weeks in advance of the first day of that class. We will issue a credit voucher that you can use to transfer to another course. Cancellations made after the 14 day cut-off date are non-refundable.

If for any reason we are required to cancel a class, due to unexpected circumstances such as a weather-related event, we will try to give you at least 72 hours notice and we will provide an immediate full refund of your tuition or a transfer credit...whichever you choose.

Off-Site Workshops

Nartique Glass is always happy to offer and conduct a variety of workshops for glass conferences, educational organizations and social groups. Please contact us for booking information at (407) 831-6247.

In the past we have worked with The Knowledge Shop in Winter Park, FL, presenting an introductory mini workshop on Fused Glass Jewelry. The Knowledge Shop is a national corporation dedicated to "providing the highest quality seminars and workshops", and has done so for the past 17 years in the Orlando area. We have been pleased to be a member of their staff of professionals!

Our Fused Glass Jewelry Workshop has been an overwhelming success, however, due to increased interest in our on-site classes and workshops, we have temporarily suspended our classes there.

For more information, please contact us at (407) 831-6247.