Instructor Spotlight: Bridgette Hines. Discover the Art of Stained Glass at Crisanthemum Studios

Meet Bridgette Hines

One of the most rewarding parts of Crisanthemum Studios is introducing our community to talented artists who love sharing their craft. This month, we're excited to shine the spotlight on Bridgette Hines, our stained glass instructor. If you've ever admired a stained glass window and thought, "There's no way I could make something like that," Bridgette hopes to change your mind. Her classes are designed to make stained glass approachable, creative, and surprisingly achievable for beginners. By the end of class, students often find themselves holding a finished piece with a sense of accomplishment they never expected.

"My favorite part is when the student looks at their finished piece in disbelief that they were able to create it."

That moment of pride is exactly why Bridgette loves teaching.

A Hobby Sparked by History

Bridgette's stained glass journey began years ago after she and her family purchased a historic home built in 1893 in Toledo, Ohio. The home featured beautiful original stained glass, and one particular salvaged panel hanging in the kitchen window immediately caught her attention. She even tried to negotiate keeping it with the previous homeowner. Unfortunately...The answer was no. Rather than searching for another piece to buy, Bridgette decided she'd rather learn how to make one herself.

Living in Toledo, often called The Glass City, gave her the perfect opportunity to begin learning. She took her first classes through the city's glass museum before continuing her education at The Glass Angel in Burlington and Sawtooth School for Visual Art in Winston-Salem. While she still hasn't recreated that original kitchen panel, it inspired a passion that's grown into something she now enjoys sharing with others.

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What to Expect in Class

Stained glass might look intimidating, but Bridgette believes that's part of its charm.

"There are several steps to completing your piece," she explains, "but each step can be redone. Nothing is permanent." Her workshops guide students through each stage of the stained glass process in a welcoming, supportive environment. While your very first piece may not be perfect, and that's perfectly okay, you'll leave with something even more valuable: a solid understanding of how stained glass comes together and the confidence to keep creating. No experience is required. Just curiosity and a willingness to try something new.

More Than Just a Beautiful Piece

Bridgette loves introducing students to skills they can carry into other creative pursuits.

Working with stained glass teaches patience, precision, and creative problem-solving, while also building confidence with every step completed. By the end of class, students don't just leave with a finished stained glass project. They leave knowing they created something they once thought was impossible.

Beyond the Glass

There's more to Bridgette's story than her love of stained glass. In her twenties, Bridgette spent a year living in Vermont as an AmeriCorps volunteer. During her service, she helped implement a national program focused on creating opportunities in high-poverty communities through home ownership, small business development, and post-secondary education. That experience is another interesting piece of the story behind the artist and instructor our community gets to know in the studio today.

And because every Instructor Spotlight deserves something a little unexpected...

Bridgette's favorite cartoon character is Lumpy Space Princess from Adventure Time.

If you've never met Lumpy Space Princess before, Bridgette recommends looking her up!

More Than Just a Beautiful Piece

Bridgette loves introducing students to skills they can carry into other creative pursuits.

Working with stained glass teaches patience, precision, and creative problem-solving, while also building confidence with every step completed. By the end of class, students don't just leave with a finished stained glass project. They leave knowing they created something they once thought was impossible.

Join Bridgette in the Studio

Whether you've admired stained glass for years or you're simply looking for a new creative experience, Bridgette's workshops offer the perfect place to begin.

You'll learn new skills, create something beautiful, and discover that stained glass is far more approachable than you ever imagined. We can't wait to create with you.

Upcoming Workshops

✨ Stained Glass with Bridgette Hines. Explore upcoming class dates on our Event Calendar and reserve your seat. No experience necessary. All materials are provided.