Many people reach a point in their creative journey where they have completed a few workshops or online courses, feel inspired to continue, but are unsure how to move their own ideas forward independently.
Perhaps you have a project in mind but don’t know how best to approach it. Maybe you would like guidance planning a stained glass panel for your home or garden, understanding kiln firing schedules, exploring kiln carving techniques, troubleshooting technical problems, or simply gaining confidence working more independently with glass.
These mentoring sessions are designed to support that next stage of development.
Rather than fixed “follow-along” workshops, each session is individually tailored around the student, their experience level, interests, and personal creative direction. The emphasis is very much on practical support, technical understanding, confidence building, and helping students develop their own independent creative practice.
Glass is a material that teaches through process, experimentation, and experience. While online learning can provide a valuable starting point, it rarely offers the personal support, adaptation, and real-time discussion that many makers need once they begin developing their own work.
Very often, what helps most is simply having access to an experienced helping hand — someone to discuss ideas with, solve problems alongside, explain technical processes clearly, and help transform concepts into achievable finished work.
Sessions may focus on:
• personal project development
• stained glass panel design for home or garden
• kiln preparation and firing schedules
• kiln carving and textured processes
• combining kiln-formed and traditional stained glass techniques
• studio setup and equipment advice
• technical troubleshooting and process refinement
• materials, compatibility, structure, colour and light
• confidence building and independent creative practice
I first began working with glass over 30 years ago after attending a short stained glass course myself, with little more than enthusiasm, curiosity, and a small studio space to work from. Over time, that developed into a professional practice spanning stained glass, kiln-forming, architectural and ecclesiastical commissions, teaching, and more recently the completion of a BA (Hons) in Glass & Ceramics.
These mentoring sessions have grown directly from that journey and from an understanding of how important encouragement, practical support, and shared knowledge can be when building confidence as a maker.
Some students may wish to book a single intensive mentoring day, while others prefer ongoing support over several sessions as projects evolve over time.
For those who do not wish to invest immediately in creating a home studio, access to my fully equipped professional workspace may also be available by arrangement. As students become more confident and familiar with the studio environment, more flexible supported studio sessions may sometimes be offered at adjusted rates, allowing students to continue developing their projects more independently while still benefiting from technical guidance where needed.
One of the most rewarding aspects of teaching for me is seeing students gradually build confidence and begin developing their own creative direction over time. Many students return over several years as their interests and technical abilities evolve, and it is always wonderful to see where those journeys eventually lead.
Sessions are held by arrangement from my private garden studio in West Sussex and are available on both a one-to-one basis and as shared mentoring days for two students working at a similar level.
One-to-One Mentoring — from £250 per day
Shared Mentoring Sessions (2 people) — from £375 per day
What is Included
• An initial telephone, Zoom, or email consultation to discuss your ideas and project goals
• Guidance planning the most suitable approach for your session
• One-to-one or small-group mentoring within a professional working glass studio
• Tailored tuition based around your own project, interests, and experience level
• Technical support and process development
• Use of studio tools and equipment during the session
• Tea, coffee and refreshments
• Follow-up discussion regarding firing schedules or project progression where appropriate
Before the session, students will usually be asked to share photographs, sketches, inspiration images, or examples of work they would like to explore. This helps ensure that the workshop can be properly planned around the individual project and the student’s level of experience.
Initial introductory sessions will often include the use of basic studio materials, depending on the nature of the project.
As projects develop further, materials are generally charged separately or students may choose to supply their own materials, particularly for larger or ongoing work.
Additional kiln firings or specialist material costs may occasionally apply depending on the scale and complexity of the project.
Studio Mentoring & Project Development in Kiln-Formed & Stained Glass
Mentoring Session Bookings & Cancellation Policy
Because these mentoring sessions are individually tailored and involve advance planning, preparation time, and initial consultation work, bookings are non-refundable and non-transferable.
Before the workshop takes place, students will usually have already received project planning support via telephone, Zoom, or email consultation, along with guidance relating to materials, technical approach, and session preparation.
If, due to unforeseen circumstances, you are unable to attend your booked session, I will always do my best to accommodate a rescheduled date where possible.
• Cancellations made more than 21 days before the workshop date may usually be transferred to an alternative date without additional charge.
• Cancellations made within 21 days of the workshop date may incur a small administration and rebooking fee due to the advance preparation and studio scheduling involved.
For larger or multi-session project bookings, rescheduling arrangements will be discussed individually depending on the nature of the work involved.
Gift vouchers are non-refundable and non-transferable, but may be redeemed against alternative mentoring dates within 12 months of purchase.
Should I need to cancel or postpone a workshop due to illness, severe weather, or unforeseen circumstances, an alternative date will be offered wherever possible.
If a workshop is cancelled by Jan for reasons unrelated to emergency circumstances, students may choose between a full refund or transfer to a rescheduled date.
