There’s something magical about stained glass. The colors shift over the course of of day. It’s not just one piece of art.
Maybe it’s the satisfaction of making something with your own hands. Maybe it’s simply the joy of slowing down, getting creative, and trying something completely new. We’re enamored with the process and thousands of our students agree: there’s something special here.
At TLC Stained Glass in Santa Fe, you don’t have to be an experienced artist, or even know the first thing about stained glass, to give it a try.
Our workshops are designed to welcome absolute beginners and give you the opportunity to experience the craft firsthand. You’ll learn traditional stained glass techniques, work with beautiful art glass, and, best of all, leave with something you made yourself.
Stained glass has been captivating people for centuries, and TLC Stained Glass offers a chance to get hands-on with this remarkable art form.
You’ll learn how to select and cut glass, shape each piece, and use techniques inspired by the Tiffany tradition to bring your creation together. We offer simple 1-hour dip-your-toe-in workshops all the way up to personalized long-form sessions where you can make anything your heart desires. You don’t just watch an artist demonstrate the process—you make something yourself.
The result is a unique piece of art you can take home and enjoy long after your visit to the studio.
One of the best things about TLC Stained Glass workshops is the variety. Whether you have an hour to spare or want to dive deeper into the craft, there’s an experience for you.
Our signature Stained Glass Art Experience is a wonderful introduction to the craft.
In this two-hour workshop, participants choose a design, select from dozens of types of art glass, and learn how to break, shape, and assemble their pieces into a beautiful stained glass suncatcher ornament.
You’ll learn techniques developed over generations of glass artists—and you’ll have a finished creation to take home that same day.
No previous experience is necessary, and the workshop is appropriate for ages 12 and up.
It’s an especially fun option for visitors looking for a creative Santa Fe experience that goes beyond simply sightseeing.
Looking for something a little shorter?
The Stained Glass Honeycomb Workshop is a one-hour introduction to the basics of stained glass. You’ll create a honeycomb ornament to take home while getting a taste of the techniques and tools used in the craft.
With an age recommendation of 10 and up and no previous experience required, it’s a great choice for families, beginners, or anyone who wants to try something creative without committing to a longer class.
Have a soft spot for plants but not exactly a green thumb?
Meet the 3D Glass Succulent Workshop—affectionately known as the “Unkillable Cacti.”
In this approximately two-hour experience, you’ll create a colorful three-dimensional glass succulent that you can take home at the end of the day.
It’s a playful introduction to stained glass and a particularly fun choice for anyone who loves plants, handmade objects, or colorful home décor.
For nature lovers, the 3D Hummingbird Workshop offers the chance to create a colorful stained glass hummingbird ornament.
Participants select from a variety of art glass and learn the basics of transforming those individual pieces into a three-dimensional work of art.
The workshop is approximately two hours, and novices are welcome. The finished hummingbird is yours to take home the same day.
Ready to go beyond the basics?
Our Deep Dive: Traditional Leaded Panel Workshop introduces participants to the traditional lead came method of stained glass.
Over two afternoons, you’ll create a simple, colorful leaded stained glass panel while learning a different approach to working with glass.
This workshop is designed for ages 16 and up, and beginners are still welcome. It’s a great option for someone who has discovered that first spark of interest in stained glass and wants to explore the craft more deeply.
TLC also offers one-on-one studio time for people who have a particular project in mind or want individualized instruction.
Studio time can be done virtually or in person and is ideal for people with some previous glass experience who want to learn specific techniques, get questions answered, or make use of studio tools.
Whether you’re curious about leadwork, reinforcement, or another aspect of the craft, personalized studio time gives you the opportunity to focus on exactly what you want to learn.
Stained glass workshops aren’t just for individuals.
TLC Stained Glass also offers workshops and demonstrations for groups, making them a memorable option for team-building events, creative outings, celebrations, and other gatherings.
Groups of up to 20 people can participate in a hands-on workshop, or observe the process through a demonstration.
There’s something special about making something together—and everyone gets to leave with a tangible reminder of the experience.
One of the biggest misconceptions about trying a new art form is that you need to already be good at it.
You don’t.
TLC Stained Glass workshops are specifically designed to welcome beginners. You don’t need prior stained glass experience, and you don’t need to consider yourself an artist.
You just need curiosity and a willingness to try.
Our workshops are about learning, experimenting, discovering beautiful glass, and enjoying the process of making.
And there’s a certain satisfaction that comes from looking at a finished piece and being able to say:
“I made that.”
Santa Fe is famous for its art, creativity, history, and distinctive sense of place. While there are countless galleries and museums to explore, a workshop gives you a different way to experience the city’s creative spirit.
Instead of simply looking at art, you get to make it.
Spend a couple of hours learning a centuries-old craft. Choose colors that speak to you. Work with glass. Learn something new. Laugh with friends or family. And leave with a piece of Santa Fe that you made with your own hands.
Whether you’re a visitor looking for a unique activity or a local ready to try something new, TLC Stained Glass has a workshop waiting for you.
From a one-hour honeycomb ornament to a deeper dive into traditional leaded panels, TLC Stained Glass offers hands-on experiences for curious beginners, experienced glass artists, visitors, locals, families, and groups.
Come learn the craft. Make something beautiful. Take home a little piece of your creativity.
Explore the current workshop schedule and find your next stained glass adventure at TLC Stained Glass in Santa Fe.
We begin with hand-blown cylinder glass, often referred to as 'antique glass'. This traditional method introduces tiny air bubbles and slight variations in thickness. When sunlight strikes the surface, these minor imperfections act as miniature prisms, bending and scattering the light in ways modern float glass never could. It is this organic vibration of light that we seek to capture and frame.
