Two hours and a brand-new suncatcher. This stained glass workshop in Santa Fe has you making a take-home ornament the same day, using art glass you select and techniques you can’t really learn from a museum wall. The studio is run by Theresa Cashman of TLC Stained Glass, and depending on the day you might work with other instructors highlighted in class feedback, like J.T. or Olivia.

I especially like that the class is hands-on from the first minute. You’ll cut, break, shape, and assemble your own design, then bind the glass pieces together using methods developed by Tiffany and others. I also like the teaching style: you get step-by-step coaching, and the setup works for both absolute beginners and people who’ve done stained glass before.

The main drawback is simple: you need to be okay with the physical setup and the safety rules. You’ll stand on padded floors for the full workshop (no chair provided), and because the class involves breaking glass and melting lead-based solder, children and pets aren’t allowed in the studio.

Key Things To Know Before You Go

• Take-home suncatcher ornament built in a single 2-hour session
• Choose your design and art glass types before cutting starts
• Learn cutting, grinding, and soldering using Tiffany-era techniques
• Absolute novices welcome, with patient, practical instruction
• Studio safety is real: lead solder and broken glass mean no children or pets
• Maximum 12 travelers, which helps you get help when you need it

What You Actually Make: A Santa Fe Suncatcher Ornament You Can Fly With

This class is built around one goal: you leave with a finished glass suncatcher ornament. You start by choosing a design to create and picking from dozens of types of art glass, then you build the piece piece-by-piece.

A nice detail is that your finished ornament can be taken on a plane. That matters because the best souvenir is the one you actually get home without stress. Your piece is designed to be transport-friendly, so you’re not just buying a memory. You’re bringing back something you made.

Design-wise, you’re not doing free-form stained glass art from scratch. You’ll select from options provided by the studio. That’s a good thing for most people, because it keeps the workshop on schedule and prevents the classic problem of starting with a complicated idea and running out of time.

Where the Workshop Happens and What to Expect When You Arrive

The meeting point is at 1730 Camino Carlos Rey, Santa Fe, NM 87507. The activity ends back at the meeting point, so you’re not signing up for a half-day tour that splinters your schedule.

You’ll also want to plan around the studio environment. You should wear closed-toed shoes and expect to stand. The class requires working on the bench while you cut and assemble, and the studio has padded flooring for the standing time—still, it’s standing.

If you need help with the height of your work surface, let the organizers know if anyone in your group is under 5′ tall. They can set up a shorter work station so you’re not hunched over the whole time.

And yes, you should know the studio’s safety reality before you go: the class involves breaking glass and melting lead-based solder. Because of that, children and pets aren’t welcome at the studio. If you’re traveling with family, plan separate childcare, because the class is not set up for kids.

The 2-Hour Workshop Timeline: From Design Choice to Finished Glass

This is a single, 2-hour workshop, so nothing drifts. It’s paced to teach real skills while still getting you to a take-home object by the end.

Here’s how the flow generally feels, based on what the class includes:

1) Pick Your Design and Start Selecting Glass

You’ll begin by choosing the design you’ll create. From there, you select among many types of art glass. This is your chance to think like a designer, not just a participant—color choices and glass patterns will shape how your ornament looks when it catches light.

2) Learn How to Break and Shape Glass

Next comes the core skill-building. You’ll learn how to break and shape glass accurately enough for a clean assembly. This is where beginners often worry they’ll ruin material, but the class is structured to coach you through the steps rather than throw you in cold.

3) Cut, Grind, and Prepare Pieces for Assembly

After shaping, you’ll move through the cutting and grinding steps needed to fit your pieces. Expect attention to detail here. Stained glass isn’t a spray-and-go craft; the fit matters for how the final piece holds together and how it looks in daylight.

4) Assemble and Solder Using Traditional Techniques

Then comes the part that turns “pieces” into an ornament: binding the glass with lead-based solder, using techniques traced to Tiffany and other historic stained glass makers. This part is why the class is taught in a studio setting with safety procedures and supervision.

5) Finish and Get Your Take-Home Ornament

By the end, you’ll walk out with a completed suncatcher ornament. The workshop is designed so you don’t leave empty-handed or stuck mid-project. The goal is same-day completion you can pack and bring home.

A helpful mindset: treat this class like a craft session with a schedule, not like a casual art hangout. You’ll have fun, but you’ll also need to focus.

Your Instructor and the Teaching Style That Wins People Over

The studio is led by Theresa Cashman of TLC Stained Glass, and the experience is built around clear, calm guidance. In class feedback, instructors like Theresa, J.T., and Olivia are highlighted for being patient and informative, which tracks with how the workshop is designed: you’re learning tool use and a process that has multiple steps.

What I like about this teaching approach is that it isn’t “art school” focused. It’s practical craft instruction. You’re coached on what to do next, how to handle the glass safely, and how to get the result that looks good once the ornament is finished.

That approach matters because beginners often feel intimidated by the idea of glass cutting and soldering. This class is set up to reduce that intimidation by teaching each stage in order, with help available when you get stuck.

Picking Glass and Designing Without Overthinking

There’s a sweet spot here for people who want creativity without the stress of engineering a design. You’ll create a design by choosing from provided options, then you personalize it by selecting among dozens of art glass types.

Two practical lessons you’ll get out of this:

• You learn how design decisions show up in the finished look. Glass color and texture change how light passes through the piece.
• You learn how to work within a time limit. You don’t just “make art.” You make art fast enough to complete it in one session.

One caution based on the workshop format: you’re not building a totally freestyle design. If you’re the type who needs total control, you might wish for a wider menu of pattern choices. Most people who want a guided, successful result seem to find the set of options good enough, especially for a first-time project.

Value and Price: Is $233.34 Worth It?

At $233.34 per person for about 2 hours, the price can feel steep if you’re comparing it to a typical walking tour or a standard museum entry. But this isn’t just admission to a place. It’s a guided skill session where you leave with a handmade stained glass ornament.

Here’s what the price includes:

• All tools, materials, and safety equipment are provided.

That’s a big deal. You’re not buying supplies you may never use again. You’re paying for a complete, supervised process: instruction plus the consumables and safety gear needed for glass cutting and soldering.

The value gets better when you consider who it fits. The class works for absolute novices and also for people who’ve made stained glass before and want a structured way to produce a real finished object. A one-time workshop that ends with an ornament you can display or gift is a stronger “money to memory” ratio than many activities that only give you a photo.

If you’re on a tight budget, I’d treat this as a “splurge craft” rather than an everyday option. But if you want a hands-on Santa Fe experience that ends with something tangible, it’s one of the more satisfying ways to spend time and money in town.

Practical Comfort and Safety: The Things You Should Plan Around

This class is safe and controlled, but the expectations are specific. Here’s what you should plan for so you’re comfortable instead of cranky by hour two.

Wear and gear

• Closed-toed shoes are required.
• Bring your glasses if you need help reading small details. If you use reading glasses, plan to bring them too.

Standing time

• There’s no chair or standing support included.
• You’ll stand on padded flooring for the full workshop.

If your knees, back, or feet don’t love standing, this is the one factor that can make or break your experience. You can choose to bring a chair or standing support if you want extra comfort, since the studio setup is standing-focused.

Age limits and studio rules

• This class is appropriate for ages 12 and up.
• Children and pets aren’t allowed due to broken glass and lead solder.

That rule is non-negotiable, and it’s part of what keeps the class running safely and smoothly.

Weather and timing

The experience requires good weather, and it’s also subject to instructor and minimum-traveler conditions. The studio schedules instructors based on participant sign-ups and availability, so last-minute changes might not be honored.

Who This Class Suits Best

This is a great fit if you want an activity that feels local and hands-on, not just something to check off. It’s especially good for:

• First-timers who want real instruction, not a “watch and hope” session
• Couples or friends who want a shared project you can show off later
• Anyone who likes doing crafts where your effort becomes a functional object (it catches light, it hangs, it gets used)
• People who enjoy learning tools and process, not just buying art

It may be less ideal if:

• You want unlimited freestyle design choices from scratch
• You don’t do well with standing for a full session
• You’re traveling with kids or pets you need included in the room

Should You Book This Santa Fe Stained Glass Class?

If you want a Santa Fe souvenir with actual skill behind it, I’d book this. The best part is the combination: structured instruction plus a finished ornament you take home the same day. It’s also one of the few experiences in town where “I learned something” feels true, because you’re using the actual tools and doing the steps that make stained glass work.

Do your decision-check using these three quick questions:

• Are you okay standing for about two hours on padded flooring?
• Are you traveling without kids or pets who would need to be in the studio?
• Do you want a guided, make-it-and-go project rather than an open-ended art session?

If you said yes to all three, this is the kind of class that turns your trip into something you can keep on a window for years.

FAQ

How long is the stained glass class?

The workshop runs about 2 hours.

What will I take home from the class?

You’ll create a stained glass suncatcher ornament and take it home the same day.

Do I need experience with stained glass?

No. Absolute novices are welcome, and the class is designed to work for both beginners and veterans.

What should I wear or bring?

Wear closed-toed shoes. If you use reading glasses, bring your readers. You should also be ready to stand on padded flooring for the full session.

Are children or pets allowed?

No. Children and pets aren’t welcome in the studio due to breaking glass and melting lead-based solder.

Is seating provided?

No. There isn’t a chair or standing support included, so you should plan to stand on the padded floor.

Can I bring the finished ornament on a plane?

Yes. The class notes that you can take the ornament on a plane.

How large is the class group?

The workshop has a maximum group size of 12 travelers.

What is the cancellation policy for a full refund?

You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund. If you cancel less than 24 hours before the start time, the amount paid isn’t refunded.