Stained Glass Workshop (for 1 or 2)

Ruth Summers runs a series of stained glass workshops from her Blue Skies Glass Studio, tucked away at 18 Eley Crescent in Rottingdean. These sessions focus on the copper foil technique, which is the method famously used to create Tiffany lamps. It’s a very hands-on process where you learn to handle glass, use cutting tools, and master the soldering iron. The studio setup is quite intimate, catering to just one or two people at a time, which allows for a lot of direct guidance as you work on your own project—usually a suncatcher, a star, or a natural motif made up of about five or six sections of coloured glass.

There are two primary ways to get involved depending on how much time you have. The three-hour taster session is designed as a quick entry point into the craft. These run throughout the week from Monday to Friday, with starts at 9:00 or 14:00, and there are also evening options at 18:00 on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays. For those who want to spend a whole day learning the trade, there is a seven-hour intensive workshop. Pricing for the shorter taster session ranges from £70 to £80, while the full-day workshop costs between £120 and £140. These prices fluctuate slightly based on whether you book for yourself or come as a pair.

Everything you need for the workshop is included in the fee, covering all glass materials, tools, and the tutor's time, as well as refreshments during the break. It is worth noting that the environment involves specific safety considerations. Because you’ll be working with hot soldering irons and lead, the workshops are not suitable for anyone who is pregnant or breastfeeding. The sessions are open to adults and teenagers aged 12 and up, making it accessible for beginners who have never touched a piece of art glass before, as well as those who might have some basic experience and want to refine their skills in a professional studio setting. It’s a steady, methodical way to spend a few hours in Brighton, focusing on the precision and patience required for traditional glasswork.