Learning Through Art

Children are taught many things during their early years and education, however, some things can't be learnt in the classroom. 

As the son of an award winning glass artist, Zander has had the opportunity to see how a small business is run with creativity at the heart of it. 

At the age of 4 he created his first fused glass piece and has continued to create. 

Social skills and customer service 

People remark that he is very confident when talking to people. This is due to him spending many weekends working with his mum at events and markets. He truly has the gift of the gab and is able to tell prospective customers how his fused glass is made. He has learnt how to talk to people appropriately. He has also been able to speak to other stall holders and help them. This has earned him praise which again helps to build confidence.  He's seen what goes into setting up and closing down the stall. 

Science

Fusing glass is a full on practical science lesson with many things to learn and explore. From the affect of heat on glass, and viscosity to the chemicals that make the glass a certain colour or to create dichroic glass. The chemical reactions when mixing glass colours or adding silver foil and other metal inclusions to glass opens the gate to experiments. 

Math and money 

Zander has learnt to measure the glass and calculate how the height of the glass affects the overall size when melted. He has also learnt to add up prices and calculate change when selling his glass.  Zander has learnt about the costs involved when hand making items. He has learnt about the costs of raw materials, glues, kiln use, packaging and postage. 

Safety and following instructions

As you can imagine there are many safety precautions to think about when using glass, microwave kilns and tools. Being able to follow safety and other instructions is a really good life lesson. When Zander shows someone else how to create with glass, he can be heard telling them 'glass is sharp' and other safety information. 

Handling Tools 

As part of the practice side, using tools is part and parcel of the craft. Using them correctly it very important. Again, following instructions and physically using the tools aids the understanding of how each one works. He has even learnt to use both a microwave kiln and Skutt Hot Start Pro Kiln!  He's used cutting, breaking and other glass tools as well as a Dremel multi tool and many more. 

Colours and composition 

With so many beautiful glass colours it's hard not to learn about contrasting and complimentary colours. Learning about hot, warm and cool colours. Deciding where to position the glass in your design, whether a planned or organic process, can aid in learning about composition. 

Alsso using inspiration 

Planning and problem solving 

Whether getting ideas onto paper first or just winging it and going straight for the glass, they can learn how to realise their ideas and solve any problems with hands on experience.  

Learning to post and geography 

Zander has done his own posting and even filled out customs forms for items he's sent to Missouri and Florida.  The customer he sent his glass to in Missouri sent Zander pictures or the area and he has looked at his globe and maps to find the places he's sent his art. 

With every order from you amazing people will be marked on a map. 

His next lesson

Running his website, taking orders and everything else that he needs to do to run a little business. Learning that working hard can bring rewards

There's definitely more he can learn as he continues with his glass journey.

Thank you so much for supporting Zander with his mission.  This is such a fantastic opportunity for him to do something many children don't get the chance to do. X