Colored glass turns into something personal fast. In Kailua-Kona on the Big Island, Sheri and Doug Reynolds run a stained glass workshop where you’ll handle real tools and see how their art comes together. I love the wide variety of glass you get to choose from, and I love the personalized attention that helps you finish a piece even if you think you lack artistic skills. The main thing to consider is that it’s held in a home studio, so it can feel different from a typical “tour office” setting.

For 150 minutes, this is a hands-on class where you learn stained glass basics, from cutting to soldering. At $125 per person, you’re really paying for time with the instructors and all supplies included, not just a guided look around. You’ll leave with a small finished sun catcher, but you should know the stand is not included.

You’ll also want to note the ground rules: no sharp objects or weapons, no alcohol or drugs, and no bare feet. It’s wheelchair accessible and taught in English, but it’s not suitable for children under 12, and unaccompanied minors aren’t allowed.

Key things that make this workshop worth your time

• You choose your own glass colors and textures before the build really starts
• Hands-on stained glass basics including cutting, grinding, foiling, and soldering
• Sheri and Doug Reynolds teach in a relaxed, supportive way so beginners aren’t left behind
• All materials are included, so you’re not shopping for supplies on vacation
• Take-home keepsake: a small finished sun catcher, made during your session
• Home-studio experience in Kailua-Kona, with parking in the driveway

A home-studio class in Kona, not a “tour attraction”

I get why some people hesitate when they hear it’s at someone’s house. This isn’t a big, polished studio with a lobby and a ticket window. It’s a home studio in Kailua-Kona, and you park in the driveway, walk in, and join the work.

That setting is also part of the charm. The instructors run the place like a creative workshop, and you feel that shift right away. It’s also easier for them to give real personal coaching when your class is in a quieter, smaller environment.

The other advantage is that you’re not boxed into a rigid script. The format includes both one-on-one and group instruction, so you get help where you need it most. If you learn faster when you can ask questions in the moment, this style tends to fit well.

The 150-minute flow: from picking glass to taking it home

This is not a quick “watch and leave” experience. You have 150 minutes to move through the key steps of stained glass, with the instructors guiding you along the way.

A good way to think of the timing is in three phases. First comes setup and selecting your materials. Then you spend your time doing the work—cutting and shaping, preparing the edges, and assembling the piece. Finally, you finish the sun catcher so you can take it home as a real, usable keepsake.

What makes this schedule satisfying is that the class ends with something completed. You’re not starting a project you’ll have to finish later. You leave with a small finished sun catcher, which turns the whole session into a memory you can display rather than something you only photographed.

Choosing glass: where the creativity starts (and where most people relax)

Most stained glass workshops win or lose at the beginning. If you feel rushed while picking pieces, the whole class can feel stressful.

Here, the glass selection is part of the experience. You’ll be amazed by the variety of colors and textures, and you get time to choose what you want your design to look like. That matters because stained glass is less about drawing a perfect image and more about composing shapes with light in mind.

Also, texture is a big deal in stained glass, not just color. When you can feel the differences in the glass and see how light interacts with what you picked, it becomes easier to trust your instincts. Even if you don’t think of yourself as an artist, you can make choices that look good together.

Learning the real basics: cutting, grinding, foiling, soldering

This workshop is built around the core stained glass skills. You’ll learn the basics of cutting, grinding, foiling, and soldering, which are the four main steps behind most finished panels and sun catchers.

Cutting is where beginners usually get nervous, because it’s physical and exacting. The good news is that you’re not left alone with the tools. The instructors guide you through the process so you understand what you’re aiming for as you work.

Grinding comes next, and it’s the step that helps you make your piece fit. It’s also where you can see progress quickly, since the edges start to look more “finished.” If you take your time here, the next steps are easier.

Foiling is where the glass edges get prepared for joining. It’s a detail step, but it’s also one of the reasons your sun catcher will hold together nicely. The workshop environment supports learning by doing, so you can ask questions while you’re working.

Finally, soldering is the moment where the piece becomes one complete artwork. The instructors walk you through what you need to do and how to think about the join. If you’re the type who worries about messing up, this is still a doable part of the class because guidance is built into the flow.

Personalized teaching that helps even non-artists finish

One of the strongest themes of the experience is how supportive the teaching feels. Sheri and Doug Reynolds run the session so you aren’t stuck figuring everything out on your own. You get step-by-step help as your piece takes shape.

In practice, that means you can focus on learning rather than panicking about perfection. Many people show up thinking stained glass is for people with a natural art gift. The class is designed to challenge that assumption, and the results can surprise you.

It’s also clear that the instructors adapt their approach to the person in front of them. For example, a participant with a disability ended up with a beautiful pineapple piece, supported through the process. That’s not just kindness. It’s proof of a teaching style that stays practical when needs vary.

If you like learning with encouragement—someone showing you the way, then letting you do the hands-on work—this will feel like a smart use of your time on the Big Island.

What you’ll make: a small sun catcher you can actually display

The take-home item is a small finished sun catcher, created during your session. That’s one of the best value points here. You’re paying for a complete outcome, not just a trial run.

The sun catcher works because stained glass is made to interact with light. Even on a simple display, you’ll notice how the colors and textures shift as the light changes through the day. If you’re the type who loves small souvenirs that don’t just sit in a drawer, this is a great fit.

There is one display detail to plan for. The stand is not included. If you love having everything “ready to go,” you’ll want to think about how you’ll hang it or where you’ll place it when you get home.

Price and value: why $125 can feel fair here

Stained glass isn’t usually cheap because it involves materials and skilled labor. What keeps the price here from feeling steep is that all materials are included for your class project.

For $125 per person, you’re paying for a 150-minute session with a craft teacher, access to tools, and the supplies needed to complete a sun catcher. You’re also getting guidance through multiple stages: cutting, grinding, foiling, and soldering.

Compared with classes where you only pay for the lesson and still need to buy supplies separately, this format tends to feel more straightforward. You show up, you work, and you leave with a finished item.

If you’re watching costs closely, factor in the missing stand. Otherwise, the value is tied to the fact that you create a tangible keepable piece with professional guidance.

Where this class fits best on your Big Island plan

This is a great activity if you want something different from beach time and road trips. It’s also a nice change of pace if you’ve been moving all week and want a calmer, creative schedule block.

The class works especially well if:

• you’re traveling as a couple or friends and want to do something together
• you enjoy hands-on activities more than museum-style viewing
• you want a small, meaningful souvenir you made yourself
• you’re visiting Kona and want to support local artists in a studio setting

It’s less ideal if you’re looking for a big group party atmosphere. This is a workshop with one-on-one and group instruction, but the core experience is about making your piece with the instructor’s attention.

Before you go: rules that keep the workshop safe

You’ll want to plan around the workshop’s rules so you don’t get stuck at the door. Some items simply aren’t allowed: weapons or sharp objects, smoking, vaping, alcohol and drugs, and anything explosive.

It also has personal-care rules that you should take seriously. Swimwear, costume wear, nudity, and bare feet aren’t allowed. If you’re the kind of traveler who likes to show up in sandals and shorts, bring shoes you can wear comfortably for a hands-on session.

One more practical note: it’s not suitable for children under 12, and unaccompanied minors aren’t allowed. If you’re traveling as a family, double-check who in your group meets that age requirement.

The takeaway: a small piece, a big payoff

When the class is done, you’ll have more than a souvenir. You’ll have an appreciation for an older art form and a clearer sense of how stained glass moves from raw material to finished artwork.

What I like most about this kind of workshop is that it turns learning into a physical result. You’re not just hearing how it’s done. You’re doing it, making choices, and finishing a piece that reflects your own decisions.

And if you were worried about not being artistic, this is the kind of class that changes that feeling quickly. With patient step-by-step guidance, you end up with something you can hang and live with.

Should you book Big Island Stained Glass in Kailua-Kona?

Book it if you want a real hands-on craft experience with strong teaching support, and you’d enjoy learning cutting, grinding, foiling, and soldering while making a sun catcher you can take home. The fact that all materials are included and you leave with a finished piece makes the $125 price feel more grounded.

Skip it (or at least rethink it) if the idea of a home-studio workshop makes you uneasy, or if you need a classroom-style setting with a more formal venue feel. Also, if you’re traveling with a child under 12, this isn’t the right fit.

If you’re flexible and curious, this is a smart Kona activity because it’s personal, creative, and genuinely productive in a short, vacation-friendly time window.

FAQ

What’s the duration of the stained glass class?

The class lasts 150 minutes.

How much does it cost per person?

The price is $125 per person.

What’s included in the workshop fee?

All necessary materials are included.

Is a stand included with the sun catcher?

No, stands are not included.

Where does the class meet?

It’s held in a home studio in Kailua-Kona. You can park in the driveway.

Is the workshop wheelchair accessible?

Yes, it’s wheelchair accessible.