Elements of Place, Formed by Fire workshop

Co-tutored by Andrea Spencer and Joanna Kessel, 
5 – 9 May 2025, 
Benefield Spencer Glass, Ballintoy, County Antrim, Northern Ireland.  

“Elements of Place – Formed by Fire is a five day flameworking and micro-mosaic workshop aimed at practicing glass and mosaic artists. The workshop is designed to explore these complementary hot and cold glass working techniques, in combination with simple casting and the use of natural and manmade forms. Field trips to study the dramatic landscape of the local Causeway Coast of Northern Ireland will inspire our work during the week.”

All enquiries, full information and bookings via Andrea on andreaspencerglass@gmail.com
www.andreaspencerglass.com @aspencerglass

Joanna Kessel, pulling filati at a bench torch
Andrea Spencer's Studio
Andrea Spencer's Studio
Andrea Spencer's Studio
Andrea Spencer's Studio
Andrea Spencer's Studio
Andrea Spencer's Studio
Andrea Spencer's Studio
Andrea Spencer's Studio
Red filati
Red filati
Red filati
Red filati
Red filati
Red filati
Red filati
Red filati
The Giant's Causeway, concave and convex sections, May 2022
The Giant's Causeway, concave and convex sections, May 2022
The Giant's Causeway, concave and convex sections, May 2022
The Giant's Causeway, concave and convex sections, May 2022
The Giant's Causeway, concave and convex sections, May 2022
The Giant's Causeway, concave and convex sections, May 2022
The Giant's Causeway, concave and convex sections, May 2022
The Giant's Causeway, concave and convex sections, May 2022
I had previously experimented with hand-pulled filati heating bits of smalti in a crucible with a hand-held torch… At the glass studio we were introduced to a stationary flamework torch which leaves both hands free to work the glass. To me, this was a game changer.
I had very little experience with casting concrete or plaster, so was somewhat surprised at the simplicity of the technique required to create such amazing results.
A description of the workshop would not be complete without mentioning two of the best parts—the camaraderie among the students and the delicious food provided by an artist friend of Andrea’s. The fabulous meals made from farm-fresh local ingredients helped to fuel the friendships which developed over the week. All in all, an amazing five days!
Beth

Student on the Elements of Place – Formed by Fire workshop, Northern Ireland. 2023

I had an absolutely wonderful time at this workshop. It was an inspirational mix of field trips, developing new skills and trying out new ideas. The tutors were excellent, covering the main techniques to start with and then supporting each student to develop these in their own way. I came away feeling full of inspiration and look forward to developing the ideas further back in my own studio. I highly recommend this course!
Rachel Davies

Student on the Elements of Place – Formed by Fire workshop, Northern Ireland. 2023

I enjoyed the course immensely. Thank you Joanna and Andrea.
Wonderful knowledgeable tutors who gave of their all.
I wanted to see how I could use transparent glass filati in sculptural work and I achieved that when I made the filati and embedded them in the concrete.
Andrea’s studio set up was so good for the flamework, pulling the filati was so absorbing!
Location was great and for the mosaic artists especially the coastline was superb for our foraging trip.
Having the lunch on site was great and I loved the food. The evening dinners were also great and gave us time to learn what each other had done during the day.
Loved seeing the presentation of everyone’s work and the feedback at the end of the workshop.
Gwyn

Student on the Elements of Place – Formed by Fire workshop, Northern Ireland. 2023