Fun and Creative Stained Glass Class and Workshop

The best part of this Kailua-Kona class is that you do not simply watch an artist work. You choose glass, shape it, join the pieces, and leave with a small sun catcher made by your own hands. Sheri and Doug Reynolds teach the basic steps in a private studio setting, with one-on-one help when you need it.

I like the personal instruction and the fact that all materials are supplied. I also like the wide choice of glass colors and textures, since choosing the right pieces becomes part of the creative work. The main consideration is time: three and a half hours is a serious block in your day, and the finished piece is a small sun catcher, not a large window panel. A display stand is also sold separately.

Key points to know before booking

• Learn four real stained glass skills: Practice cutting, grinding, foiling, and soldering rather than simply decorating a ready-made item.
• Work with Sheri and Doug Reynolds: The husband-and-wife team gives personal help in a private class for your own group.
• Choose your own glass: A broad selection of colors and textures makes the design process part of the experience.
• Take home your finished piece: Your small sun catcher is ready to bring home the same day, though the stand costs extra.
• Plan for three and a half hours: This is a focused craft workshop, not a quick drop-in activity.
• Good for older children: The class is suitable for most people, and families with older children can take part together.

A hands-on Kona class with a real finished keepsake

Stained glass is often admired from a distance, behind a window or in a gallery. Here, you work through the basic process yourself. That matters because the finished sun catcher carries more meaning than a souvenir picked up in a shop. You made the choices, handled the materials, and learned how the pieces come together.

The class takes place at 75-672 Waiau Pl in Kailua-Kona. You begin and end at the same address, so there is no transfer between stops and no extra sightseeing built into the schedule. You should think of this as a studio appointment rather than a standard sightseeing tour.

Sheri and Doug Reynolds lead both private and group classes. Since only your group participates, the pace can feel more personal than a large workshop. You can ask for help as you go, and the instructors can spend time with beginners who need a second explanation or a steadier hand.

The class has earned a five-star rating from 120 reviews, with 100 percent of customers recommending it. That strong record fits the experience described by the class format: attentive teaching, a tidy studio, and a finished project that you can take home that day.

Choosing glass is part of the fun

You will not simply be handed one fixed design and one approved color set. Several projects are available, and the options are accessible to beginners while still giving you something satisfying to complete. The choice of project comes before the more technical work, so take a little time here.

The glass selection includes many colors and textures. This is one of the most appealing parts of the class, but it can also slow you down. If you like making careful design choices, you will enjoy comparing pieces and imagining how light will pass through them. If you prefer a fast, clearly directed activity, the number of choices may feel like a lot.

The instructors help you make practical decisions. You can ask about a color combination or the way a textured piece will look in the finished design. You do not need to arrive with an art background or a complete plan. The projects are designed to be manageable for beginners.

One useful way to approach the selection is to think about where you will display the sun catcher later. A piece meant for a bright window may call for different choices than one you plan to keep on a shelf. The class does not include a stand, so keep that detail in mind if you want to display it away from a window.

Cutting, grinding, foiling, and soldering

The workshop teaches four basic stained glass steps: cutting, grinding, foiling, and soldering. Each one gives you a different sense of how the craft works.

Cutting is the first major test. You follow the pattern and learn to shape the glass rather than treating it like an ordinary sheet. The process requires care, which is why direct instruction matters. Sheri and Doug set up the materials and guide you through the work instead of leaving you to guess.

Grinding helps refine the edges after cutting. This is the step that turns rough pieces into parts that can fit together more cleanly. It may not be the most glamorous part of the class, but it is important. A finished piece depends on the small adjustments made before the pieces are joined.

Foiling prepares the edges for soldering. You learn how separate bits of glass can become one object through a careful sequence of steps. The process is technical, but the teachers keep it approachable. You are not expected to arrive already knowing the tools or vocabulary.

Soldering is the final major stage. It requires attention and patience, especially if this is your first time working with stained glass. The studio is described as clean, organized, and safe, and service animals are allowed. Most people can participate, but you should be comfortable taking part in hands-on craft work for several hours.

The value here is not only the object you take home. You leave with a better understanding of why stained glass takes time and why small design choices matter. Even if you never take another class, you will look at stained glass windows differently afterward.

Why the private format matters

This is a private activity, so only your group takes part. That gives the session a more relaxed feel and lets you work at a pace that suits your party. A couple can share the activity without being folded into a large class, while a family can work together with the same instructors.

Private does not mean unstructured. The class still follows the basic stained glass process, and the total time is about three hours and 30 minutes. The instructors provide the supplies and explain what to do as you move from one stage to the next.

The format is especially useful if one person in your group has craft experience and another is completely new. You can work on your own pieces while asking for help when needed. The activity also works well as a birthday present or a shared vacation project, since the finished item connects the class to the trip.

There is a social side to the workshop, too. Sheri and Doug are described as a friendly husband-and-wife team, and the studio has a home-based, personal setting. That may appeal to you if you prefer meeting local artists over joining a large commercial attraction.

At the same time, this is not the right choice if you want to spend your afternoon moving between several Kona sights. You remain at the studio for the class, and the hands-on work is the main event. Plan it for a day when you are happy to slow down and concentrate.

What you take home at the end

The finished sun catcher is included in the class price and can be taken home the same day. That immediate result is a real advantage. You do not have to wait for shipping or return later to collect your work.

The piece is small, but that makes sense for a beginner workshop. A smaller project allows you to learn the essential techniques without committing to a large panel or a complicated design. You get a complete project in one session rather than an introduction that ends before the work is finished.

A stand is not included and is sold separately. If you plan to display the sun catcher on a table or shelf, budget for that extra purchase. If you intend to hang it in a window, the separate stand may not matter to you.

The class may also have other stained glass pieces available for purchase. If you see a finished design you especially like, you can ask about it. Buying an additional piece is optional, but it gives you a chance to take home work made by the artists as well as your own creation.

Price and the value of three and a half hours

The price is $125 per person. That is more than you would pay for a simple craft souvenir, but the price includes the instruction, the materials, the studio time, and a finished sun catcher.

I consider the value strongest for people who want an activity rather than just an object. You are paying for the experience of learning a craft, choosing the glass, and completing the project with help from two accomplished artists. The finished piece is part of the value, not the entire value.

The cost also makes more sense if you compare it with a private three-and-a-half-hour activity. Only your group participates, and the materials are already prepared. You do not need to buy tools or glass before arriving, and you do not need to figure out how to finish the piece at home.

The value is weaker if you are mainly looking for a low-cost souvenir or a quick break between other plans. The workshop takes a large part of an afternoon, and the display stand costs extra. You should book it because you want to make stained glass, not only because you want to leave with something.

Who will enjoy this class most

This class is a good match for couples, families with older children, and anyone who likes making things by hand. It also suits people who want a quieter activity after several busy sightseeing days. The private format gives you room to ask questions without feeling self-conscious.

You do not need previous stained glass experience. The projects are beginner-friendly, and the class teaches the basic techniques from the start. You should still expect to pay attention and follow safety instructions, since cutting, grinding, and soldering are active parts of the work.

Families should note the recommendation for older children rather than very young children. The available information does not give a specific minimum age, so confirm that point before booking if age is important for your group.

Art lovers will find more here than a standard painting session. Stained glass combines color, shape, texture, and construction. The finished object changes as light passes through it, which gives the craft a special connection to a sunny Hawaii setting without turning the class into a sightseeing stop.

The class can also work as a birthday gift or a special occasion activity. You share the project during the class, then keep a physical reminder of the day. That is more personal than buying a generic item at a resort shop.

Practical details for planning your day

The meeting point is 75-672 Waiau Pl, Kailua-Kona, HI 96740. The activity ends back at the same location. Since transportation is not listed as part of the experience, plan your own way to and from the studio.

The class lasts about three hours and 30 minutes. Allow the full block rather than trying to squeeze it between two timed activities. You will want enough time to choose a project, select glass, complete each technical step, and finish the sun catcher without rushing.

The class is offered in English. A mobile ticket is available, and confirmation arrives within 48 hours of booking, subject to availability. Since the activity is often booked 48 days in advance, reserve early if your Kona dates are fixed.

Free cancellation is available if you cancel at least 24 hours before the start time. Cancellations made less than 24 hours before the start time are not refunded, and changes within that period are not accepted. Cutoff times follow local Hawaii time.

Service animals are allowed, and most people can participate. If someone in your group has a specific mobility, sensory, or other access need, ask the provider before booking, since the available details do not describe every studio arrangement.

Should you book Big Island Stained Glass?

Book this class if you want a personal, creative activity with a finished keepsake and enough time to learn the basics properly. Sheri and Doug Reynolds provide the kind of direct instruction that helps beginners feel comfortable, and the private format is a strong choice for couples or families with older children.

The class is especially worthwhile if you enjoy making careful choices. Selecting glass colors and textures is not a minor detail here. It is part of the creative work, and the final sun catcher reflects those decisions.

Skip it if your schedule is packed with outdoor activities or if you want a short, inexpensive souvenir stop. Three and a half hours is a substantial commitment, the stand costs extra, and the workshop requires concentration.

For the right person, though, this is a memorable way to spend part of a Kona day. You learn a practical craft, meet two working artists, and take home a small piece that recalls both the island and the time you spent making it.

FAQ

Where does the stained glass class take place?

The class begins at 75-672 Waiau Pl, Kailua-Kona, HI 96740, USA. It also ends at the same meeting point.

How long does the workshop last?

The activity lasts approximately three hours and 30 minutes.

How much does the class cost?

The price is $125 per person.

Are materials included?

Yes. All necessary materials are included in the class price.

Do I get to take home anything I make?

Yes. You take home a small finished stained glass sun catcher the same day.

Is a display stand included?

No. The stand is sold separately.

Is this a private class?

Yes. This is a private activity, and only your group participates.

Is previous stained glass experience required?

No specific previous experience is required. The class teaches the basics of cutting, grinding, foiling, and soldering, and most people can participate.

What is the cancellation policy?

You can cancel at least 24 hours before the start time for a full refund. Cancellations or changes made less than 24 hours before the start time are not accepted, and the amount paid is not refunded.