aruba glass ceramics

My wife and I visited Marian for a glass bead making class on February 18, 2015. Marian is extremely personable and a wonderful teacher. She has an excellent balance between providing hands-on instruction and guidance, and allowing students to explore and discover the craft of bead making on their own. My only regret was that we did not have time to go back for a second class. I would have loved to be able to take a second class because it was the end of the first three-hour class when I felt like I was really getting a feel for the glass and how to work with it. The overall experience was delightful and I gained a new appreciation for glass beads and the artistry this craft requires. When we left our camera at the workshop, Marian was even kind enough to bring to our hotel the next morning. That is just the type of person Marian is - thoughtful, helpful, and willing to go the extra mile. Thanks again for everything, Marian!

Travelling on a ladies trip with 5 women looking for something unique to do. Found terrafuse on tripadvisor which was close to the hotel so we took a chance and booked it. What a wonderful experience we had a blast, Marianne was a great teacher got lots of help and my beads actually turned out awesome. I was actually able to make a bracelet for myself and souvenir for my three kids. I would go back in a heartbeat.

Had a wonderful time learning to blow glass beads with Marion our instructor. Shes a lovely, very talented artist also full of patiences for our family of four. It was a memoriable part of our vacation.We recommend that you make this a part of your vacation. Marion, we will see you again this December 2014 to learn more.

Learning how to melt glass over a flame and turn it into beads was truely a fantastic and addictive experience. Miriam is a wonderful, patient, informative and encouraging teacher. I had so much fun making the beads. This is a definite on my return visit to Aruba. Do not miss this great opportunity to learn some thing new and bring home a souvenir that you have created yourself!!!

Marian invites you to here country home to enjoy a morning of bead making in their backyard studios where clay and glass kilns abound. Both she and her husband are artists with many installations on the island (airport, bank lobbies, etc). The studio is well equiped and organized and Marion is a wonderful teacher. 3 hours of sitting straight and tall in front of a burner in 30+C heat was taxing but so much fun!!! My first attempt at creating round beads was less than perfect but I was proud of my results non-the-less. Go here if you are a friend of glass, to create or just buy some pretty bobbles to take home with you. All the best, Terrafuse!

I have just had the most wonderful 3 hours making glass beads being taught by an utter glass master/genius. Quite frankly my efforts pale competed to hers but I am soooo pleased with mine. This is a craft I have wanted to try for a long time now and what better place than with this generous and friendly family who are true creatives. I have arthritis so did think I may struggle a bit but I was surprised how quickly we were able to remedy my odd approach ( my thumbs don't live where yours probably do)! The surroundings are lovely, calm and a creatives heaven. I love the arts so this was more than a workshop for me. The opportunity to see the Arbaths work and to have a personal commentary was bliss. I am now inspired to go home and learn more. My poor husband is already a needlecraft widower so I don't suppose he will mind me having another art to pursue. I can't recommend this workshop enough. Even for those who don't deem themselves creatives have the opportunity to discover capabilities they may not even know existed in them. Excellent value, go on give it a go.

My boyfriend and I visited Aruba in April 2013, and took the beginner glass bead making workshop with Marian. This workshop was a fabulous experience, and working with molten glass was something we had never done before. Marian walked us through the process of how to work with the glass so that we could make good beads and not have the glass crack. We made several beads using different techniques, including multiple colors, dots, and twisting two colors of glass together.This was a wonderful way to spend a morning on our vacation. We took a taxi to get to the location, however Marian drove us back to our resort which was appreciated. I would definitely take this workshop again the next time I visit Aruba!

We stumbled across this gem accidentally last year, and had to check it out. What a cool place! I blew my first glass ornament in Aruba today. Ciro and Marion are so friendly and welcoming. They have created a wonderful art studio in the middle of paradise. These two artists have embraced the times and run a foundation to encourage the youth of Aruba to explore the arts. When you tire of the beach, explore the true culture of the Caribbean.

Having found Terrafuse on tripadvisor my friend and I decided to sign up for the beginning glass bead making class while we in Aruba. We made the arrangements by email and Marian got back to me promptly. The class is $85 for 3 hours and worth it! With good directions from Marian we found her studio with no problems. It is a about a 5-10 minute drive from the Marriott. Marian Abath and her husband, Ciro, are delightful. You can watch Ciro in his glass blowing studio too. For the glass bead making Marian takes you through the steps one by one, carefully explaining how to do each one. Each person ( there were 4 of us) has her own station at which to work. Marian is very patient and helps you without doing the work for you. I felt I really learned a lot. And came back with a lovely bracelet even though none of my beads were perfect. I can't say enough good things about this experience. I just wish I could find a class in Phoenix so I can continue.

I am a glass artist and make fused glass jewelry. I can't carry my glass making things to Aruba every summer so I always look for something to do. I found Marian and Terrafuse and she opened my eyes to a new dimension of glass making. Wow!! I've been having a ball. I try to go every time she is open while we're there. Even if you are not into glass to the extent that I am you can really enjoy learning something new and making something pretty. And come away with a great sense of accomplishment for a mornings fun. Marian is a fantastic artist as is her husband, Ciro. He has done a fantastic metal work at LaCabana. He works with other mediums and their shop is a wonderful place to visit.

If you are looking for diving in Aruba , let me recommend Aqua Windie’s. It is not a beach front shop, it is safe and they will pick you up at your hotel and give you a great day of divingI had a dive master named Martin who was fantastic , he told you the plans for the dive and had safety all ways in mind. Drift dives and wrecks were available. A real mom and pop with great souls. With first rate gear. Also had room for sorkelers , good time down home safeno BS. Proctor Jones

I really wanted to do the class at Terrafuse but was unable to. I did get the opprotunity to go to the shop and pick out some amazing and unique gifts to take home. The owner was very friendly and I was very happy with my glass beads and 2 bracelets that were made by local students. A one of a kind gift that you don't find in the tourist shops.

I did the beginner class last summer. It was fabulous. I learned a lot and made a cute bracelet. Marian also got local teachers to take me back to my hotel, so I didn't have to take a taxi. All were very friendly and welcoming. I am so excited to go back this summer to take the second class. Be sure to bring enough cash on your trip to take the class. They don't take credit and I usually don't carry cash.

While searching for beads stores to visit on the island of Aruba I ran across Terrafuse under the website www.arubaglassceramics.com. On the site was a list of classes that were offered by Ciro and Marian Abath and one of them was a beginners class on glass bead making. I e-mailed them at arubaglassceramics@gmail.com and asked about openings for the Tuesday or Thursday classes for beginning glass bead making.The next day I received a response that there were openings for both days. So instead of shopping at a bead store I would be making my own beads! The class was $85.00 US. I arrived at Terrafuse at 8:55 am for a 9:00 am class and found out I was the only student that Marian would be instructing that day. This class was everything I expected and more! From the beginning I was taught about the different types of torches, the different glasses that I would be using and what was available on the market. I chose 5 different colors of glass rods and then was taught about the different properties of each glass. Learning these properties would help me to know how the glass was to work with. Marian then had me go thru melting each of them and pulling them to test to the different glasses. Some are easy to pull and some are tough. It was kind of like pulling taffy. She then helped me learn wrapping the glass around a melt rod dipped in bead release, learning a technique to make small beads. We then moved to creating larger beads and adding more glass to the bead that I was creating. Thru every step of the process Marian was very informative and explained each step and helped me create a great finished product. We then looked thru books and I pointed out some of the beads I liked and we then progressed to creating those beads. I would recommend this class to anyone that wants to take home a great souvenir and possibly learn a new hobby along the way. Marian will help you every step of the way including giving you books to look at and websites that offer supplies. The contact phone number is 297-592-2978. My class was from 9 to noon and I created enough beads to make a great one of a kind bracelet. I also got a tour of the area that Ciro does glass blowing. If I had more time on the island that would have been my second class! Maybe next time.....

With great enthousiasm and positive drive, Marian and Ciro work hard at showing you a special and unique piece of Aruba. They will trigger your creativity and interest in ceramics, kiln casting, glass blowing and glass bead making.Do not miss a visit to Aruba Glass Ceramics / Terrafuse, either for a workshop, a unique souvenir or to meet inspiring people and true Aruban atmosphere!(Be careful; working with glass can be healthily addictive!)