Important news folks!
I will be relocating my Painting and Glass Studio to Caithness on the 30th of September!
I'll be teaching in my Aberdeen studio throughout September, so please check out the dates below as these will be my last Glass Fusing Sessions in Aberdeen. If your class was postponed due to lockdown or you have a Workshop Voucher, please email me at to let me know which session you want to come along to, or if you can't make it to any of these dates, please email me to request another September date that suits you. Alternatively, if you aren't available at all before the studio closes, you can either keep your class credit/voucher to use at a future class in my Caithness Studio (which is just off the NC500!) , use it for any of my art or glass works in my online shop, or even put it towards a commission! Additionally , if you want to use a workshop voucher in the online shop I will double the value, and, yes, it can even be used in the relocation SALE, which is now on! If none of these options suit, obviously I will process a full refund as soon as possible.
Product Gift Vouchers (including ones which state "for products and workshops") are obviously still valid as normal ( I'm not closing the business, just moving) so do not qualify for the double the value offer. If you are having problems with your discount code, please get in touch and I'll send you a new one.
Groups of up to 6 are still welcome to book a private session at any time suitable to them.
A maximum of 6 participants will now be allowed in the studio at one time to allow for proper social distancing.
Unfortunately as it would be very difficult to ensure social distancing during the Fittie and Duthie Park full day workshops, I will have to cancel these sessions. If this applies to you, please get in touch to dicuss any of the above options.
Thanks so much Aberdeen for all your support, it's been an amazing 10 years; I certainly won't be a stranger however, as I will continue to enjoy working with clients old and new in the city. Take care folks, much love, Shelagh x
Pick Up Schedule
All pieces made up to 31st August are now ready for pick up.
The studio will be open for pick up on -
Thursday 10th September 2pm - 4pm
Friday 11th September 2pm - 5.30pm
Monday 14th September 12pm - 2pm 3pm - 5.30pm
Please double check times on this page on the day you make your way to the studio.
Workshops take place in the Shelagh Swanson Studio, 3rd Floor, 184 - 192 Market Street, Aberdeen AB115PQ
Group bookings for any of my classes are always welcome so if you have a group of 4, maximum of 16 people - get in touch!
Perfect for family, corporate team building and community groups.
The minimum age for all classes (except the Family Friendly Open Studio sessions) is 12. There is full disabled access to the studio via the lift - free parking can also be arranged for those with limited mobility.
After booking I don't send out a ticket via post, just bring your confirmation email on your phone.
About your teacher! A self confessed glass geek, Shelagh is a very experienced tutor, having taught both painting and glass internationally as well as in her own studio in Aberdeen (formerly known as Oil and Glass) since 2012. In 2013 Bullseye Glass (the manufacturers of the glass you will use in this session) invited Shelagh to their factory in Portland, Oregon, where she completed a week long instructors course. She absolutely adores teaching, and always makes sure that her sessions are very informative, but also lots of fun!
My classic Introduction to Fused glass class, which I've been teaching since 2012 is the perfect class to get you started! Suitable for complete beginners, you will be led step by step through glass cutting, designing, assembling and decorating either a set of 4 coasters, a tile or a selection of wall hangings/suncatchers. For an extra payment of £5, items can be shaped into a candleholder or a free standing piece. Some technical information will be provided so that you understand the process, but this is definitely still a fun and informal class!
Learn this new technique and make your own bowl! I'll take you step by step through the process of cutting and assembling glass into your chosen shape then decorating with colourful glass granules (called frits, stringers and powders) Your piece will be then be fired twice, once to achieve your chosen texture, then again to form it into a bowl shape! Suitable for complete beginners, or those who have already done my Intro to Fused Glass Class.
Expressive Landscape Painting Classes
Come along to this fun session to learn expressive painting techniques. Suitable for complete beginners or those with some experience, this class is all about gaining confidence with using acrylic paint expressively, through painterly techniques, working spontaneously, using your imagination and emotive colour choices. During the class you will create 2 small works. All materials provided, as well as tea and coffee.
In this class you will taken step by step through the process of designing and making your own 3D glass block, built up using layers of sheet glass, frit and powder. You can make your piece to any design; either totally abstract or you can bring along an image to work from. This technique is particularly good at conveying a sense of depth, so try to choose an idea which you can divide into a foreground, midground and background; if you're unsure at all, just bring a selection of different images along and I'll help you. On day one you will design and create your layers, these will be fired and ready for day two, when you will stack them together, whilst adding more colour and detail to your design. The stack will then be fired and made ready for pick up the following week. The finished piece is approx 8" x 8" x 1.5". Refreshments will be available throughout the course and a light lunch will be provided at 210 Bistro on Saturday lunchtime. Suitable for absolute beginners or those with some experience in glass fusing. Maximum group size - 8, Minimum age 12. There is full disabled access to the studio, and parking can be arranged for persons with limited mobility. Introductory price of £145 (normally £175)
I'm so excited to introduce this special full day Fused Glass Workshop which will take place in my beloved Fittie, (Footdee for those unfamiliar with the area!) and my Glass Studio on Market Street! During this workshop you will learn how to gather information from this fascinating area using drawing and photography, then develop your ideas before finally translating this your own fused glass artwork.
Here's an overview of the day!
9.30am - 10.00am - Arrival/ Registration and Welcome Coffee at my home in Fittie.
10.00am - 12.00pm -Guided Visual Tour of Fittie
Participants gather information and find inspiration through drawing and photography around Fittie.
12.00pm - 1.00pm - Lunch at The Silver Darling Restaurant, Footdee
1.00pm - Transport to Shelagh Swanson Studio
1.30pm - 5pm -
Development of ideas from imagery gathered in Fittie,
Glass Making Demo
Creation of your own Fused Glass Piece inspired by your visit!
Full tuition and materials will be included to make either a representational fused glass picture, or you may decide to create something more abstract. For an extra charge of £5, pieces can be shaped to create a free standing form or a shallow bowl. Coffee/Refreshments throughout the day, Lunch at the Silver Darling and Transport between venues all included in course fee!
Winter Gardens Fusing
After the success of Fittie Fusing, I've decided to hold another all day session! This time it's at another place that is very close to my heart, the David Welch Winter Gardens, having been Artist in Residence there in 2017. It's truly a beautiful place where you will find plenty inspiration to, under my tutition, design and create your own Floral Fused Glass Bowl. Another great thing about this venue is that it's not weather dependent! Open to total beginners or those with a wee bit of fusing experience.
Here's an overview of the day-
9.30am - 10.00am
Arrival/ Registration and Welcome Refreshment at The Park Cafe, Duthie Park
10.00am - 12.00pm
Guided Visual Tour of the David Welch Winter Gardens
Drawing Demonstration by Shelagh Swanson
Participants gather information and find inspiration through drawing and photography around the gardens.
12.15pm - 1.00pm
Lunch at "Inn at the Park Hotel"
1.15pm
Transport to Shelagh Swanson Studio
1.30pm - 5pm
Development of ideas from imagery gathered in the Winter Gardens
Glass Making Demo by Shelagh Swanson
Refreshment Break
Creation of your own Fused Glass Bowl inspired by your visit!
Full tuition, materials, firinngs, Coffee/Tea/Refreshments throughout the day, Lunch and Transport between venues all included in course fee!
Groups of 4 or more can book this as a private session on any day that suits - please get in touch at
Open Studio Taster Sessions
During these family friendly sessions you can make colourful glass pieces on a pay as you format - choose from keyrings, coasters, framed pictures, nibble dishes, candle holders, fruit bowls or come up with your own idea. This class does not involve cutting sheet glass, instead participants decorate the surface with glass "frit" (granules) and powder, so it is suitable for complete beginners and all ages with adult supervision. Just drop in, or book a timeslot below - the £10 deposit paid here entitles you to make 2 keyrings or one coaster, you can make as many more items of varying sizes, pay on the day and stay as long as you like! Previous participants of my "Intro to Fusing" Workshops are welcome to use their cutting skills to assemble their works too!
