Fun and Creative Stained Glass Class and Workshop

The best part of this Kailua Kona workshop is that you do not simply watch an artist work. Sheri and Doug Reynolds guide you through the full stained glass process, from choosing colorful glass to cutting, grinding, foiling, and soldering it into a small sun catcher. You leave with something you made yourself.

I like the personal instruction and the chance to choose your own project and glass colors. I also like that all materials are supplied and your finished piece is ready to take home that day. The one drawback is that the $125 price does not include a stand for displaying the sun catcher, so plan on paying extra if you want one.

Key points

• Hands-on from start to finish: Learn cutting, grinding, foiling, and soldering rather than just watching a demonstration.
• Artists Sheri and Doug teach the class: Their one-on-one and group instruction lets you get help as you work.
• Choose your own colors and project: The wide range of glass textures and colors is part of the creative challenge.
• Take home a same-day souvenir: Your finished stained glass sun catcher is included, though its display stand is sold separately.
• Private setting: Only your group participates, making this a good choice for couples, families with older children, or friends.
• A three-and-a-half-hour activity: This is a proper workshop, not a quick craft stop, so leave enough room in your day.

A real stained glass lesson in Kailua Kona

This class gives you a useful introduction to stained glass without asking you to commit to a long course. In about three and a half hours, you work through the main steps of making a small piece. That balance is important: you get enough time to understand the craft, yet you can fit the workshop into a Big Island holiday.

Sheri and Doug Reynolds offer both one-on-one and group classes at their Kailua Kona studio. The activity is private, so only your own group takes part. That matters if you prefer personal attention or want to book a creative activity for a couple, family, or small party.

I would not treat this as a passive demonstration. You are expected to work with the tools and materials, make choices, and follow instructions. The instructors help you through the process, which makes the class suitable even if stained glass feels complicated at first.

The activity begins and ends at 75-672 Waiau Pl, Kailua-Kona, Hawaii 96740. You need to arrange your own way to the meeting point, and the tour does not include transportation. Since the address is specific, check your route and allow enough time to arrive ready for the class.

Choosing glass is part of the fun

One of the first creative decisions is choosing your project and the glass for it. This sounds simple until you see the range of colors and textures available. A bright color may look completely different once light passes through it, while a textured piece can add interest without complicated design work.

I like this part because it gives the finished sun catcher a personal touch. You are not taking home a generic souvenir from a shop. You are selecting the colors and making the piece yourself, with Sheri and Doug helping you make choices that suit the project.

There is also a small practical warning here: too many attractive choices can slow you down. The most difficult decision may be settling on a color combination. If you are taking the class with children or with someone who likes to deliberate, allow time for this stage rather than assuming the work begins immediately.

The available projects are designed to be accessible to beginners while still giving you something satisfying to complete. You do not need to arrive with a design background. The important thing is to listen carefully, work patiently, and accept that handmade glass will have its own character.

Cutting and grinding: where the craft becomes real

The first technical stages are cutting and grinding. These steps show you why stained glass is more than arranging pretty pieces on a table. Glass needs to be shaped carefully so the parts fit the design.

You will learn the basics under instruction rather than being left to figure out the tools alone. That guidance is especially useful during cutting, when a small mistake can change the shape of a piece. Grinding then helps refine the edges and improve the fit.

This is one reason the personal format adds value to the $125 cost. A large class with limited help could make a beginner feel rushed or uncertain. Here, the activity is set up so Sheri and Doug can walk you through each stage and answer questions as they arise.

You should still keep your expectations realistic. Three and a half hours is enough to make a small finished sun catcher, not a large window panel. The project size is part of what makes the class practical for a holiday schedule and for first-time students.

Foiling and soldering complete the piece

After the glass pieces are shaped, the project moves into foiling and soldering. These steps bring the separate pieces together and give the finished work its structure.

Foiling involves preparing the glass edges so the pieces can be joined. Soldering then requires care and attention. It is a hands-on process, but the instruction keeps the work approachable for beginners. You get to see how the separate stages connect instead of receiving a finished object with no sense of how it was made.

I find this sequence valuable because it gives you a better appreciation for handmade stained glass. The colors may attract you first, but the finished piece depends on patient preparation. A slightly uneven line or small variation is part of making something by hand, not a reason to expect factory-perfect results.

Safety is also part of the appeal of having an organized studio and direct instruction. One of the class details that matters most is that the workspace is described as clean, well equipped, and safe. You still need to follow directions closely, especially during the tool-based parts of the workshop.

A personal souvenir instead of another shop purchase

At the end of the class, you take home a small finished stained glass sun catcher the same day. This is a strong feature for anyone who wants a physical reminder of the Big Island that is tied to an activity, not simply bought from a shelf.

The sun catcher is included in the class price. A stand is not included and is sold separately, so ask about that if you want to display the piece immediately. Without a stand, you may need to decide later how you will show it at home.

The finished item also makes the class appealing as a birthday gift or shared celebration. You can give someone an activity, time together, and a handmade object to keep. The souvenir is small, but its value comes from the work behind it.

I would not book this class mainly for a large, elaborate art piece. Choose it if you want a manageable project and the pleasure of learning a craft. The result is a reminder of your time in Hawaii, but the process is the main event.

Why the private format matters

The class is a private activity, meaning only your group participates. That makes it easier to ask basic questions without feeling self-conscious. It also allows the pace to feel more personal than a standard class with a large number of people.

The format works particularly well for couples. You can choose different colors and projects, then compare how the pieces develop. It also suits families with older children, provided they can follow instructions and participate in a hands-on workshop.

I would be more cautious about bringing very young children. The supplied information says most people can participate, but the class involves glass, grinding, foiling, and soldering. No minimum age is provided, so confirm suitability before booking for a child.

The private setting also makes this a good choice for a small group that wants something quieter and more creative than a sightseeing stop. The studio atmosphere is described as quaint and welcoming, with the instructors offering patient help rather than pushing you through the work.

The teaching style you can expect from Sheri and Doug

Sheri and Doug are accomplished artists as well as instructors. Their role is not just to explain the basic steps once and send you to a workbench. They guide you through the project and help you make decisions along the way.

Sheri is especially noted for her broad knowledge of the craft and her reassuring manner. Doug is also closely involved in teaching and hosting the class. Together, they create a husband-and-wife teaching team, which gives the session a relaxed, personal feel.

That personal attention is useful when you reach a tricky point. You might need help choosing glass, fitting a piece, or understanding the order of the steps. Having the instructors nearby means you can keep moving instead of guessing.

The class is offered in English. If you are comfortable learning in English, you can expect the instruction and communication to take place in that language.

Is $125 a fair price?

At $125 per person, this is not the cheapest souvenir activity on the Big Island. You are paying more than the cost of buying a finished sun catcher. The fair comparison, though, is with a private art lesson that includes materials, instruction, studio time, and a finished piece.

The value improves if you care about the process. You get roughly three and a half hours of teaching and hands-on work, plus the glass and other supplies needed for the project. You do not need to purchase materials before arriving or figure out which tools are appropriate for a beginner.

The private format is another part of the value. You are not paying for a crowded class where the instructor must divide attention among many unrelated groups. Sheri and Doug can focus on your group, which is helpful when you are learning unfamiliar techniques.

The extra stand is the one cost to remember. The finished sun catcher is included, but the stand is sold separately. If you are comparing the total cost with another craft activity, include that possible add-on in your budget.

Who should book this workshop?

I would recommend this class to you if you enjoy making things with your hands and want a holiday activity with a lasting result. It suits beginners because the process is broken into clear stages and the instructors provide help throughout.

It is also a strong choice for:

• Couples looking for a shared activity
• Families with older children
• Anyone who wants a creative birthday gift
• People interested in learning a new craft
• Small groups that prefer a private class
• Visitors who want a personal souvenir rather than a mass-produced item

You may want to choose another activity if you dislike careful handwork or want a fast, low-effort attraction. The workshop requires concentration and patience. You will not simply sit back and admire finished pieces.

It is also worth remembering that the class takes a substantial part of your day. At about three and a half hours, it is longer than a quick stop at a gallery or shop. That is a benefit if you want a proper lesson, but a drawback if your schedule is already packed with Big Island sightseeing.

Practical details before you reserve

The price is $125 per person, and the activity is offered with a mobile ticket. Confirmation is sent within 48 hours of booking, subject to availability, so do not assume the reservation is instant until it is confirmed.

Free cancellation is available if you cancel at least 24 hours before the start time. Cancellations made less than 24 hours in advance are not refunded, and changes within that same period are not accepted. The cut-off is based on local Hawaii time.

Service animals are allowed, and most people can participate. Since the work involves glass and workshop tools, contact the provider if you have a specific concern that is not covered by the general participation information.

The class begins and ends at the same Kailua Kona meeting point. There is no separate ending location to arrange around, but you should plan your transport to and from 75-672 Waiau Pl.

Should you book the Big Island stained glass class?

Book it if you want to spend part of your Big Island visit making something under the guidance of working artists. The strongest reasons are the private format, the patient instruction from Sheri and Doug, the freedom to choose colors and projects, and the included same-day sun catcher.

The main cautions are the $125 price, the extra cost of a display stand, and the three-and-a-half-hour commitment. This is not a quick souvenir stop or a sightseeing tour.

For couples, families with older children, and creative people who enjoy a hands-on challenge, I think the class offers good value. You leave with more than a purchased object: you understand how it was made and carry home a small piece shaped by your own choices.

FAQ

Where does the stained glass class take place?

The class starts and ends at 75-672 Waiau Pl, Kailua-Kona, Hawaii 96740, USA.

How long does the workshop last?

The workshop lasts approximately 3 hours and 30 minutes.

How much does the class cost?

The price is $125 per person.

What is included in the price?

All necessary materials are included, and you take home a finished small stained glass sun catcher the same day.

Is a display stand included?

No. The stand for the sun catcher is sold separately.

Who teaches the class?

The class is taught by accomplished artists Sheri and Doug Reynolds.

Is this a private activity?

Yes. Only your group participates in this private tour or activity.

What is the cancellation policy?

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