Join Us - Stained Glass Crafters

HomeJoin Us

Background Image URL

#0000ff

COME JOIN THE FUN!

Sun City West Stained Glass Club welcomes new Members WHO ARE RESIDENTS (Owner, Associate, or Renters) of Sun City West and hold a valid Sun City West Recreation card!

Whether you aspire to make a beautiful stained-glass window for your home or design a mosaic masterpiece, SCWSG encourages you to explore the world of glass arts in our extensively equipped Studio. You'll find our 200+ Members friendly, helpful and willing to share ideas and techniques.

This page will provide:

• Our New Member Class
• The benefits of being a Member of SCWSG
• Our Member volunteer service requirements
• Our education program for New Members
• Our Membership Dues and New Member education costs
• How to submit your application for Membership
• Some brief information on the costs of glass artwork

Please make sure to read this page in its entirety before submitting your application.

NEW MEMBER INSTRUCTION
SCWSG instructors will contact new members to set up a mutually agreeable date and time for classes.

ENROLLMENT
Current and New Members
All members will need to create a username and password through the link below to establish your website access. When you fill out the application, be sure to indicate if you are a current or new member.

BENEFITS OF MEMBERSHIP

We offer our Members a wide array of glass activities and benefits, all for a low annual Membership Dues.

• The Studio is open 7 days a week from 8 AM to 8 PM for project work.
Note: Per The Sun City West Recreation rules, there must be 2 Members present to work in the Studio. Monitor is present 8 AM to 4 PM

All new members of the Stained-Glass Club participate in comprehensive training sessions focused on the art of stained glass making. These sessions cover essential techniques, such as cutting, shaping, and assembling glass pieces, as well as the safety practices necessary for handling glass and working with specialized equipment. By providing this foundational instruction, the club ensures that every member is well-prepared to begin creating stained glass projects with confidence and care.

Members can receive instruction on the safe and effective use of the club’s kilns. This training includes learning about the types of glass suitable for fusing, providing members with the knowledge needed to select appropriate materials. The club offers several molds that can be used to create a variety of small to medium-sized fused glass projects. Through hands-on experience, members create small, fused glass objects, which may also be incorporated into their larger stained-glass works. They can also create small, fused standalone projects such as Slump Flowers, small vases or bowls.

•These classes are taught by experienced Members for fees well below other glass studios in the area.
• Monthly we offer table talks and demos that either teach something new or a refresher on something we may need extra help with.
• Our members are trained to use the many power and hand tools, cutting boards, grinders and kilns we have on site.
• We have two Social Events throughout the year. We also hold several glass sales in the club during the year. This is a great opportunity to buy glass at a discounted price, significantly less than retail.
• Choose a project from our large pattern library.
• A Club Store where you can purchase glass, supplies and tools.
• The Studio has project board spaces and lockers.
• You will have access to our Club Website with information on SCW Stained Glass functions, glass sales and classes.

ABOUT SCWSG AND VOLUNTEER SERVICE

SCWSG, like all Clubs in Sun City West Recreation Center are run by its Members. Maintaining the Club Store, tools, and various functions within the Studio; teaching classes; running events; monitoring at the Studio front desk; and all administrative functions (Board of Directors, Committee Chairs and Committee members) are done by our Members who volunteer their time.

All Members of SCWSG are required to perform Four (4) monitoring sessions during the year, each monitoring session consist of 4 hours. Volunteer hours are tracked throughout the year as members sign into the club.
To use the Studio or other Club amenities or participate in Club functions, a Member must maintain his or her status as a Member in Good Standing. This means a Member's Monitoring status and minimum use of club (10 times) must be fulfilled before the end of the calendar year. A member who does not fulfil their requirements by year end will lose the use of their locker, in the upcoming year, until the requirement is fulfilled.

NEW MEMBERS WITH NO OR LIMITED GLASS ARTS EXPERIENCE

If you have limited glass arts experience, you will be required to work with an
instructor so that your knowledge may be evaluated. The fee for the class includes all glass, use of tools needed and written materials, so you just need to come with a pen or pencil and paper.

Following completion of the New Member Class, you will be eligible to create a project of your choice with the help of your instructor. You will be able to use tools if available (until you can purchase your own), grinder and ringsaw. Your instructor will help you pick out your second project. At this time, members must provide their own glass. There is a free glass container in the studio that many times you can find glass to do small projects with or maybe just a piece that is the color you need.

When submitting your application to join SCWSG, please briefly describe your experience in the Comment Box provided on the application. A member of our evaluation team will contact you to discuss your experience and your availability for a skills assessment session. You will be asked to bring in something that you have made.

Our annual dues are currently $35 per calendar year payable in January of each year.
For new Members, the annual dues are based on when you take the New Member Class or join as an experienced stained glass crafter.
• If you join the club January through September, the total annual dues are $45 which include the locker fee $5.00 a year for your first locker, $5.00 one-time key fee, name Tag $10.00 one time fee and your membership fee of $25.00.
• If you take the Class in October or November, membership fees are prorated.
• If you take the Class in December, the dues are $45 which is applied to the following year. Basically, December is free.

Our New Member Instructor fee is currently $105. The total amount you pay (Dues plus Class Fees) will depend upon the date of the New Member/Intro Class you take.

Beginning Fusing/Kiln Certification is currently $75.00. Take a look at the Gallery to see examples of what is possible from our wonderful artists. (All Class fees are subject to change due to the increase in the cost of glass and supplies provided.)

Payment for all Class Fees, Club Store Purchases and Social Events where a fee is charged are due upon registration/purchase. Annual dues are paid between January 1 - 31 each year.

BECOMING A NEW MEMBER

To become a Member of SCWSG, please review the process described below.
You will click on the button below that says JOIN US NOW (Please read through the information below before clicking on the button).
You will be taken through a series of questions and will fill out your contact and other information. The process should take no more than five (5) minutes.

Once you submit your application you will an email from our New Member Contact confirming receipt of your application. Expect a call within 48 hours to discuss registration in an upcoming class. Please be sure your email account is set to accept emails from NewMemberContact@SCWStainedGlass.com or, check your spam folder. If you do not receive these emails, please email NewMemberContact@SCWStainedGlass.com.
If you have indicated in your application that you are an experienced glass artist, a member of our evaluation team will contact you to discuss your experience and your availability for a skills assessment session.
JOIN US NOW

COSTS INVOLVED IN GLASS ARTS

Once you take the New Member Beginning class, you will purchase your own glass, glass supplies and tools. Expect to pay between $100 - $175 for the basic tools (cutter, breakers, solder iron,). Stained glass tools and supplies will be another $20-$40 for foil and solder. You can purchase these items from our store or from a retailer. We do sell a selection of glass in the store as well as other items needed for you to create your stained glass project.
There are a few glass suppliers in the area and several on-line vendors. A 12 x 12 sheet of art glass for use in stained glass or mosaic work can range from $8 to $20 for basic colors. A 12 x 12 sheet of glass for fusing can range from $10 - $25 for basic colors.
If you order from Delphi through the club, we do get a club discount. Also, SW Art glass in Phoenix gives club members 10% discount and they deliver free to the club the third Friday of each Month.