Spend a creative afternoon at Pottery Alley in Lafayette building a 3–4 inch fused‑glass fleur‑de‑lis ornament. This beginner‑friendly, kiln‑fired workshop with Ginger Kelly produces a bright, local keepsake ready for pickup in about a week.
Spend a creative afternoon at Pottery Alley in Lafayette building a 3–4 inch fused‑glass fleur‑de‑lis ornament. This beginner‑friendly, kiln‑fired workshop with Ginger Kelly produces a bright, local keepsake ready for pickup in about a week.
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Operated by Pottery Alley · Lafayette, Louisiana
At Pottery Alley in Lafayette, Louisiana, a small studio on Chance Street invites you to slow down and make light. The Fused Glass Fleur‑de‑Lis Sun‑Catcher workshop is a 2½–3 hour, beginner‑friendly class led by master craftswoman Ginger Kelly where you assemble 3–4 inch glass ornaments and send them to the kiln to become shimmering keepsakes. Located at 303 Chance St, this hands‑on session pairs tactile creativity with a distinctly Louisiana symbol—the fleur‑de‑lis—so your finished piece carries a sense of place.
On arrival you’ll settle into a communal table scattered with pre‑cut glass in glossy, streaked, and iridescent textures. Instruction is step‑by‑step: choose a base, layer color and texture, and arrange shapes as if composing a miniature mosaic. The teacher guides glass placement, safety with shards, and aesthetic choices; tools and protective gear are provided. When your composition is complete, staff kiln‑fires it and attaches a hanger; the finished sun‑catcher is ready for pickup in about 7–10 days. The workshop is open to ages 12 and up and groups are capped small to keep the experience focused and social.
What sets this workshop apart is the mix of Louisiana craft culture and patient attention from Ginger Kelly. The fleur‑de‑lis is more than ornamentation here—it’s a nod to Lafayette’s French and Acadian roots and a compact way to bring local heritage home. Pottery Alley’s studio occupies a block in a lively city with creole and Cajun influences; the class feels like an artful detour between courthouse squares and café doors.
Practical details keep it simple: the listed price is $65 per person plus a $10 glass and materials fee. Bring a cup with a lid if you want a drink, wear closed‑toe shoes, and arrive a few minutes early to get settled. Expect some “kiln surprises” as the glass melts and shifts; those small variations are part of the charm and will make each sun‑catcher one‑of‑a‑kind.
This is an ideal rainy‑day or holiday activity—handmade gifts, travel mementos, and a creative break that doesn’t demand prior experience. Book when you’re in Lafayette for a cultural afternoon that pairs craft instruction with local character; you’ll leave with a luminous ornament and a clearer sense of why this corner of Louisiana values color, ceremony, and craftsmanship.
Bring a friend and treat the session like a short retreat; Pottery Alley limits class size to keep instruction personal, so reservations fill fast around holidays. Street parking is available near the studio and downtown Lafayette has walkable cafes and galleries to explore after class. If you’re traveling with kids under 12, plan a sitter—teens enjoy the hands-on pace. Finished pieces are sturdy but handwash only; display them in a sunny window to catch south Louisiana light and warmth.
easy.
2–3 hours.
Light activity; suitable for most adults and teenagers with normal mobility.
No—this class is designed for beginners and the instructor guides every step.
Pieces are kiln‑fired and typically ready for pickup in about 7–10 days; you’ll receive a call when yours is available.
Participants must be at least 12 years old for this workshop.
The $65 fee covers instruction and most materials; there is an additional $10 glass and materials fee.
Yes—small refreshments are allowed but please use cups with lids to protect the workspace.
Accessibility information was not provided in the listing; contact Pottery Alley directly at the meeting address for specifics.
Lafayette, named for the Marquis de Lafayette, is a hub of Cajun and Creole culture; the fleur‑de‑lis reflects the area's French roots.
Handle glass responsibly and take advantage of the studio’s safety guidance; bring reusable containers for refreshments and ask staff about glass offcut recycling.
Pottery Alley is a Lafayette, Louisiana pottery studio offering hands-on classes, workshops, camps, and private events. The studio focuses on wheel-throwing and handbuilding instruction for adults and youth, providing clay, glazes, and firing for each session. Instructors guide beginners through foundational techniques and support experienced makers refining form and surface. Classes meet weekly, including Thursday Morning Wheel, Wednesday Night Wheel, and Thursday Night Handbuilding, each designed for paced learning and community connection. Pottery Alley runs a five-day Kid's Wheel Day Camp for ages 10–17 where participants craft multiple pieces on the wheel and complete a glazing session; campers take home five to eight finished artworks. For adults, the studio offers Party packages and Date Night evenings that combine guided pottery activities with social time; parties accommodate celebrations like bridal showers and small gatherings. Wheel for Dummies is a concise three-hour workshop introducing total beginners to wheel throwing through hands-on practice creating cylinders and bowls, with materials and firing included. The studio emphasizes a supportive, relaxed environment that encourages creativity and skill development. Pottery Alley maintains clear class schedules, transparent pricing at booking, and provides necessary materials on site to simplify participation. Safety and studio cleanliness are upheld during sessions, and finished pieces are returned after glazing and firing. Located in Lafayette, Pottery Alley serves local residents and visitors seeking accessible pottery experiences, creative group events, and skill-building workshops. The studio also offers private bookings and flexible scheduling for groups, with clear pickup timelines for completed pieces and friendly staff support.
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