Art For Fun Studio & Gallery

My three friends and I purchased a Groupon for Barbara’s studio in December and finally made our way in this past Tuesday at 6:30pm. Finding a time that worked for all of us and for Barbara (she’s busy with all the Groupon’s) was a bit challenging but we had no problems redeeming ours with her, though our’s hadn’t expired yet. The Groupon is a great introduction to the art as we paid $ 26pp and it’s normally $ 45.
Having done the Circle 6 studio’s glass blowing Groupon before, I was pleasantly surprised this wasn’t glass blowing but glass fusing. WAY different and personally, much more enjoyable. The glass blowing seemed to intimidating to me and I felt like they did most of the work. This class is all you!
Barbara was friendly and knowledgeable when giving us instructions on the process and she had several samples to inspire you. She has some beautiful glass in her studio that you can add to your design for an up-​charge ($ 4-​$ 20 is the average for some unique additions) depending on how fancy you want to go but the regular selection you get to pick from also has many colors and choices. You get your choice of a round, square, or circle base glass for the Groupon deal and then many different glass choices for your design. The options seem endless and it took me at least 30 minutes to even come up with a design! Barbara was patient and helpful to everyone in our class, even getting more of a particular glass as requested. There were 8 of us during this session and I did have to wait for awhile while others used the 2 cutting areas but it just gave me more time to look around and work on my design. Once you finish, Barbara will fire your piece and you have to go back and pick it up. She said usually six days.
The studio is clean and she even offered us pop (or ‘soda’ if your from around here) and allowed us to stay even a little bit later than our 2.5 hour session to finish up. Overall I had a great time and would love to go again! Can’t wait to get my piece back!

I called Barbara to make a Saturday appt (for a Groupon I had purchased) a month in advance. At the time of our phone conversation, Barbara (the owner) said they were booked solid for the next 3 Saturdays in a row. I expressed my dissappointment and explained that my Groupon expired on January 29^th (a Thursday) and she told me to come on in on Saturday the 31^st, that it was okay but be sure to bring my Groupon. I was happy with that and looked forward to the class. My boyfriend and I attended the class and were having fun up until the end. Barbara could not get my Groupon code to be accepted in her computer and then tells me it is expired. I told her that I was the woman she spoke to on the phone a month ago that she told to come in, knowing that my Groupon had expired 2 days prior. She loudly and rudely snapped at me saying that she «would have never, ever said such a thing because her supplies cost money»! She went back and forth with me about it while talking over me and having that condescending teacher tone. I offered to pay for any costs besides the Groupon just because i was so embarrassed of how she spoke to me in front of the class, i wanted to end the conversation! The room was still full of people. Barbara insisted she never told me what she told me but would not accept my payment (besides the Groupon). I walked back to the table trying not to cry. I was not trying to ‘scam’ her in any way. I made my appt a month ahead of time and it was not my fault that she was booked every Saturday except the one she told me to come in on. Maybe she should have taken payments at the beginning of the class, then she would have seen it? That still wouldn’t have changed the fact that I know what she told me and agreed to. There is never a reason to talk to a customer like she did me and certainly never a reason to make them feel lesser than! Shame on you! Never again.

My boyfriend and I started going to Art For Fun for a date night a few months ago and got hooked on glass fusion. Artist/​studio owner/​teacher Barbara’s motto, «you don’t have to be an artist to create art» holds true. On the first night, I created three pairs of earrings and two pendants from free scrap glass – and my friends and I have received many compliments when we wear my art! After I’ve fulfilled my special occasion gift list for family and friends for the next year (I’ve already created jewelry, suncatchers, serving platters and miscellaneous dishes), I want to learn silk painting, maybe clay sculpturing, or watercolor techniques). I’ve brought in two friends for the glass fusion instruction and also my teenage grandson who’s into clay sculpture and they all have learned from Barbara’s expertise and instruction in her free-​flowing classes.
p. s. I’ve checked around and found this glass art class is the best deal going for price and instruction. And you’ll be taught by an expert – Barbara’s a former art teacher and this year placed second in the International Glass Competition for her 8′ long «Jerusalem Wall» glass mosaic. See it at
.

My mom and I purchased a Groupon for open studio art classes, and it was SO fun! Barbara was an excellent instructor, and we had a blast. We chose to do the silk scarf painting. We had a lot of fun experimenting with colors and learning how to create the scarf. Barbara provided all kinds of ideas and oversaw our creations! I will DEFINITELY be going back! Thanks Barbara!