ORANGE BEACH, Ala. -- Learn the basic

techniques for kiln-formed glass, including jewelry and home décor

pieces from instructor Karen Dixon.

The workshop will begin with exercises in

glass cutting, designing and assembling the parts necessary to make

one slumped plate, a sun catcher to hang and beautiful wearable

pendants, earrings, key chains, and pins.

The classes will be Feb. 13-14 from 10 a.m.-2

p.m. and cost $245. That includes all supplies needed.

Discussions and demonstrations will cover the

basics of kiln-forming, from types of glass and mold materials to

kilns and firing schedules. All glass and materials are included,

no prior glass experience needed.

Dixon was trained as a scientist in

biochemistry and molecular genetics. In 2009 she left her faculty

position in the Department of Neurobiology at UAB and opened a

glass gallery and kiln-formed glass teaching studio with Deborah

Ballog.

Her love for glass began as a child with the

cut glass and colored glass vessels her mother collected. Dixon

began working with glass in the form of mosaics in the late

1990’s.

In 2008 she took her first fused glass class

with Birmingham artist Deborah Ballog and her obsession with the

medium began. Since that first class she moved on to intermediate

and advanced classes in fusing and kiln-cast glass with Deborah and

in Portland, Ore., at the Bullseye Glass Resource Center.

In 2009 Dixon was a juried showing member of

the annual Alabama Designer/Craftsman show at the Birmingham

Botanical Gardens. She was awarded first place in the annual juried

show for faculty, residents and students at the University of

Alabama at Birmingham's School of Medicine.

The award-winning piece, Dichro Maze,

was exhibited at the Reynolds Medical History Library at the UAB

Lister Hill Library. In 2010 she was one of seven artists featured

in the first annual Craft in Alabama exhibit at the Orange Beach

Arts Center.

For more information and to sign up for this

class contact the Orange Beach Arts Center at 251-981-2787 and

visit the website at

"http://www.orangebeachartcenter.com/">www.orangebeachartcenter.com.

To learn more about Karen Dixon and Dixon-Ballog Glass go to

"color: blue;">

"http://www.dixonglassgallery.com/">www.dixonglassgallery.com.