Create a stunning circular wave-inspired glass art piece that captures the movement and colours of water. This impressive workshop focuses on building flowing, layered designs using fused glass techniques to create a substantial wall-mounted artwork (38cm diameter) that looks beautiful in any space.

The wave crest design is all about movement, rhythm, and light – you’ll learn to layer different colours and textures to create the impression of waves cresting, water flowing, or abstract patterns that suggest natural movement. The circular format and generous size make this a real statement piece that catches light beautifully when wall-mounted.

This is a proper-sized artwork – at 38cm across, it’s substantial enough to be a focal point on any wall. And if you want to make it even more impressive, you can add the optional professional float surround (extra £65 cost) which brings it to 50cm diameter with polished edges and enhanced reflectivity.

Please note that the pictures show the wave crest within it’s optional float surround. The standard version is still a large piece at 38cm, however it doesn’t have the silver backing or clear surrounding mount.

What You’ll Learn

• Creating flowing, layered designs – building depth and movement in glass
• Colour selection for water effects – blues, greens, whites, or any palette you choose
• Working with different glass textures – creating wave-like patterns
• Using frits, powders, and stringers – add detail and flow
• Understanding how glass moves in the kiln – controlling flow and fusion
• Large-scale circular composition – working with substantial pieces
• Glass cutting and shaping for curved designs

What You’ll Make

One impressive circular wave crest panel (38cm diameter – that’s about 15 inches across) designed for wall mounting.

Design possibilities:

• Classic ocean waves – blues, whites, and greens with cresting foam
• Abstract flowing patterns – any colours suggesting movement
• Sunset over water – warm oranges, reds, and purples
• Coastal scenes – incorporating sand, sea, and sky
• Contemporary colour combinations – move beyond traditional blues
• Minimalist waves – simple, elegant flowing lines

The circular shape works beautifully for wave designs – it naturally suggests the rhythm and return of water, and the absence of corners means your eye follows the flowing patterns around and around.

Perfect For

• Ocean and water lovers wanting art that captures that feeling
• Those seeking substantial wall art with wow factor
• Coastal property owners or anyone who loves the sea
• Creating impressive gifts for beach house owners
• Anyone drawn to flowing, organic designs
• People who appreciate large-scale glass art
• Those wanting a meditation on movement and flow

Why This Design Works

The Circular Format Waves naturally flow and curve, so the circular shape works perfectly for this design. There are no jarring corners – just continuous movement. The eye travels around the piece, following the flowing patterns just like watching actual waves.

Substantial Size At 38cm diameter (or 50cm with the optional surround add-on), this isn’t a small decorative piece – it’s proper wall art. It has presence and impact, whether you hang it in a hallway, living room, or bathroom.

Light and Movement Glass is the perfect medium for water-inspired art because light passes through it, creating luminosity and depth that paint can’t achieve. Your wave crest will change throughout the day as natural light shifts, creating an ever-evolving piece.

The Flow in the Kiln One of the special aspects of this design is understanding how glass moves and flows when it fires.

Collection & Mounting

Your wave crest fires overnight in the kiln where the magic happens – layers fuse together, colours intensify, and the glass develops its flowing movement. It’ll be ready for collection approximately one to two weeks after your course.

Standard piece (38cm diameter): Ready to hang with fixtures on the back. Can lean on a shelf or hang directly on the wall.

With optional float surround (£65 extra, total 50cm diameter): Your 38cm fused piece is mounted on a larger polished clear glass circle with silver backing on the reverse. This creates a “floating” effect, enhances colours through reflection, and provides a professional finished edge. Includes hidden wall fixings for secure mounting.

The float surround option is popular for several reasons – it makes the piece larger and more impressive, the silver backing makes colours pop, and it looks incredibly professional. But the standard 38cm piece is beautiful on its own too!

The Optional Float Surround

What it is: A larger circle of polished clear float glass (bringing total size to 50cm diameter) that your fused piece mounts onto, with silver backing applied to the reverse side.

What it does:

• Creates a “floating” visual effect
• Makes the piece 12cm larger (more impressive)
• Silver backing reflects light back through the colours
• Professional polished edges
• Hidden mounting system included
• Gallery-quality finish

Cost: £65 additional (total £255)

Worth it if: You want maximum impact, professional finish, or enhanced colour vibrancy. Many students upgrade to this option after seeing examples.

Skip it if: You prefer a more modest size, are happy with 38cm, or want to keep costs down. The standard piece is still impressive!

Experience Required: None – complete beginners welcome

Course Duration: Full day (10:00am – 4:30pm)

What’s Included: All glass and materials, frits, powders, stringers, tools and equipment, kiln firing, wall-mounting fixtures, tea/coffee and biscuits

Optional Extra: Float surround with silver backing and hidden mounting – £65 (makes piece 50cm diameter total)

Perfect Gift for Ocean Lovers

This course makes an exceptional gift for:

• Coastal property owners – perfect art for beach houses
• Ocean and water enthusiasts – capture what they love
• Those with beach-themed homes – authentic coastal art
• Retirement by the sea – meaningful, lasting piece
• Anniversary gifts – for couples who love the coast
• Anyone who finds water calming – meditative art

Gift vouchers available

Display Ideas

Your wave crest looks stunning:

• Living room focal point – above sofas or fireplaces
• Hallway statement – first thing guests see
• Bathroom art – thematically perfect and moisture-safe
• Bedroom calm – restful wave patterns
• Coastal properties – authentic seaside art
• Office spaces – calming, contemplative piece

The circular format works beautifully in any space – it’s softer than rectangular art and the eye-pleasing shape fits anywhere.

Beyond Traditional Blues

While ocean waves naturally suggest blues and greens, this technique works with any colour palette:

• Warm sunset waves – oranges, reds, golds
• Abstract flow – purples, pinks, unexpected combinations
• Monochrome sophistication – blacks, greys, whites
• Earth tones – browns, creams, natural shades
• Contemporary brights – bold, modern colour statements

Jennifer encourages you to think beyond literal ocean colours if something else speaks to you – the wave pattern works beautifully in any palette.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Is 38cm actually big enough, or should I get the float surround? A: 38cm (15 inches) is already substantial – bigger than a large dinner plate. It has real presence on a wall. The float surround (50cm total) makes it even more impressive and adds professional polish. Both sizes work well – it depends on your space and budget.

Q: Can I decide about the float surround on the day? A: Yes! See examples in the studio and decide once you’ve created your piece. You can add it then if you’d like.

Q: What if I don’t like ocean colours – can I still do this course? A: Absolutely! “Wave crest” refers to the flowing pattern, not the colours. Make sunset waves, abstract flowing patterns, or anything that suggests movement in your preferred palette.

Q: How do I hang it on the wall? A: The standard piece comes with mounting fixtures on the back. The float surround option includes a professional hidden mounting system. Either way, it’s straightforward to hang securely.

Q: Is circular glass more difficult to work with? A: Not really! Jennifer guides you through cutting curved pieces, and many students find circular designs quite intuitive – they flow naturally without worrying about corners.

Q: Will it be heavy to hang? A: At 38cm diameter it’s manageable – similar weight to a large framed picture. The float surround version is heavier (it’s 50cm of glass) but still easily hung with appropriate fixings.

Q: Can I make more than one if I work quickly? A: The course focuses on one substantial 38cm piece created well rather than multiple pieces. This size needs time and attention to get right.

Q: What if my design doesn’t turn out wave-like? A: Jennifer guides you through creating flowing patterns, and even if it doesn’t scream “ocean wave,” flowing glass art is beautiful regardless. Don’t worry about making it literal!

🌊 Capture the rhythm of water in glass that glows with light 🌊

Your Tutor: Jennifer Barker Glass Artist – Lead Instructor & Founder

Jennifer has been working with glass for over 30 years, having discovered her passion for the medium while studying at Wolverhampton and Staffordshire Universities, where she completed a BA and MA in Glass.

Her expertise spans the full spectrum of glass techniques – from delicate kiln-formed pieces to large architectural installations. Jennifer’s specialist areas include kiln-formed glass, surface manipulation, and kiln-casting, but she’s equally passionate about traditional techniques like stained glass and copper foiling. For 12 years, Jennifer was Head of the Glass Department at Glyndwr University, where she discovered that teaching glass art was almost as addictive as making it.

What sets Jennifer apart as an instructor is her genuine love for sharing knowledge. She believes that anyone can learn to work with glass beautifully – it just takes the right guidance, encouragement, and plenty of hands-on practice.