Do I need prior experience with waterjets or glass?

No. The class is designed for beginners and covers machine basics, software prep, and safe operation.

What software will we use?

The workshop uses Inkscape for vectorizing artwork and WAM software for preparing files to run on the WAZER.

Minimum age is 16; participants under 18 may need parental consent depending on studio policy.

Is the space accessible?

Yes. The venue is stroller- and wheelchair-accessible and the instructors can arrange ADA accommodations if contacted in advance.

What will I take home?

Each student receives a 12x12" piece of glass cut into multiple custom pieces designed and cut during class.

Will classes be canceled for bad weather?

Classes typically continue during winter weather; organizers will contact you only in extraordinary circumstances.

Wazer 101 Hands-On Waterjet Glass Cutting Workshop in Denver

At Wazer 101, you step into a classroom at D&L in Denver, Colorado, to learn how to cut glass with a tabletop waterjet. This three-hour, hands-on workshop teaches digital design and machine operation, blending precision engineering with studio glass craft. The course begins with a short orientation to WAZER machines and WAM software, then moves into vectorizing artwork in Inkscape and prepping files for cutting. Each participant brings a laptop (this is a BYO laptop class) and leaves with a set of custom-cut 12-by-12-inch glass pieces they designed and operated themselves. The room smells faintly of clean water and grit, and the machine's steady, focused chatter fills the air as tiny jets trace perfect paths through glass. Students learn setup, installation, routine maintenance, and safe operation-skills that demystify the machine and make it accessible to beginners. WAM software workflows, digitizing hand-drawn patterns, and troubleshooting common vector issues are covered in clear, practical demonstrations. No previous waterjet experience is required; instructors guide a small cohort-classes are capped around ten people-so you get hands-on time at the nozzle. Wazer 101 is an unusual offering in Denver because it bridges digital fabrication and traditional glass practice in a single session. That makes it ideal for makers, stained-glass artists, jewelry designers, and anyone curious about precision cutting without industrial overhead. The class fee also acts as a credit toward purchasing a Wazer during the Glass Bash event, a useful perk if you're considering ownership. Practical notes: arrive no earlier than 15 minutes before start, wear close-toed shoes (required), and bring a charged laptop with design software installed-Inkscape is used in class. The minimum age is 16, the venue is stroller- and wheelchair-accessible, and instructors can make ADA accommodations if notified in advance. Winter weather rarely cancels classes; organizers will contact you only under extraordinary conditions. Why book this as part of a Denver visit? It's a compact, tactile learning experience that adds a new skill to your creative toolkit in just a few hours. The city's maker scene is thriving, and Wazer 101 puts a state-of-the-art tool in your hands, letting you test-drive precision fabrication without months of training. Whether you want custom glass components for a project or simply a high-tech studio day, Wazer 101 is a concentrated, practical, and inspiring way to explore glass and digital craft in Colorado's capital. Expect to walk away with several finished components—trimmed panels, inlaid shapes, and ready-to-fire elements for fused glass—and the practical know-how to prepare files, compensate for kerf, and nest parts efficiently. Instructors encourage students to bring logos, sketches, or pattern ideas; the class balances step-by-step guidance with enough time at the cutter for you to build confidence and test material choices and finishes.

About D&L Art Glass Supply

D&L Art Glass Supply is a full-service glass art studio and teaching center dedicated to hands-on education, materials, and studio access for makers at every level. Located within a creative community, D&L offers an extensive schedule of workshops and open-studio sessions led by nationally recognized artists and experienced instructors. Classes cover fused glass, stained glass, mosaics, vitrigraph, kilnforming, cold working, sandblasting, and specialized techniques like reactive glass and advanced pattern making.

Participants can join single-day introductions, intensive multi-day courses, themed artist residencies, and two-hour open studio sessions. Each class supplies studio tools, equipment, and clear firing schedules, while materials are available for purchase on-site or participants may bring their own. D&L emphasizes safety, accessibility, and artistic growth with small class sizes, step-by-step demonstrations, and one-on-one guidance during hands-on projects. Popular offerings include beginner fusing, mosaic workshops, stained-glass painting and lightbox projects, vitrigraph collaboration, and advanced fused-glass pattern forming. Several guest-led workshops are noted as sold out, reflecting consistent demand and instructor reputations. The studio also supports experimentation with test pieces and sample libraries so artists can learn material behaviors before committing to larger works. D&L maintains professional-grade kilns and cold-working stations and enforces best practices for material compatibility and ventilation. With a track record of offering beginner-friendly entry points alongside advanced technical courses, D&L Art Glass Supply serves hobbyists, emerging artists, and professional makers seeking technical skill, creative support, and reliable studio resources. The studio regularly updates its equipment and publishes clear schedules and materials lists online for students annually.