It's Workshop Time 2025
Booking Classes Now
What can I learn in these in-person workshops?
The Brilliant Cutting Consortium workshop is an intense three-day, thirty-hour, one-on-one class. It is designed to supply the student with a broad knowledge of the tools and materials used for cutting and polishing glass as well as the major skills and techniques involved in this process.
The Brilliant Cutting workshop will include the following processes:
•Review of Stones for brilliant cutting.
•Pre-polishing and polishing methods.
•Resources for materials, equipment, and education.
•Digital photos of London Pub art for reference.
•Cutting and polishing techniques (Punty, V-cut, and Edge Cut)
Access: Accommodation & Refreshments
Access: Denver International Airport.
Hotels: Within 2 miles of my home and workshop.
Air B&B’s within Littleton.
Lunch provided daily.
STUDENT TESTIMONIALS
“The one-on-one guided instruction through the tools, processes, and pitfalls in beginning to learn this craft was immeasurably helpful. The ingenuity in reviving the craft of brilliant cutting, stateside, was remarkable. And to become a part of the growing community interested in this craft through the consortium of Pat Minervini, Tits Rinkis and Dave Smith was particularly enticing. The workshop is intense in its time requirements, physicality, and focus to learn a new skill, but I am so proud of what we were able to achieve in three days. Getting to go home with several finished products, a better understanding of brilliant cutting, a global community to participate in, and a friendship with Pat made it all worthwhile.
Nose to the grindstone! What an ingenuous man in every sense. I’m still processing all I learned from him but I’m very glad I got to learn about this craft through the workshop.”
Nat Iosbaker - May 2024
“Pat, I’m halfway home, and still reeling from the amazing weekend. Than you again for sharing all of your hard work, thanks for saying all the right things to get me to be able to stand at the lathe for 3 days straight. It was an absolute pleasure, and I’ll see you again soon, I’m sure.”
-Andrew Paul (@mcap) - June 2024
International Brilliant Cutting Consortium: “Keeping the Craft Alive”
Members and founders: David Adrian Smith, Tits Rinkis, and Pat Minervini
In August 2023 Dave Smith, Tits Rinkis, and myself came together to center around Brilliant Cutting Glass and the construction of a new cutting lathe for Dave in Torquay, England.
It was during this time together we realized there is little if any, opportunity for artisans to learn this art form. Exchanging our collective skills and experiences, the three of us decided to form the Brilliant Cutting Consortium, with the sole purpose of “Keeping the Craft Alive”
Our first offering for 2025 is a series of 3 day, one-on-one Brilliant Cutting classes, This year's classes are with Tits Rinkis in Riga, Latvia, David Smith in Torquay, England, and Pat Minervini in Littleton, Colorado, USA.
Classes are offered in May, June, August, September, and October.
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FAQ’s
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How do I transport my glass panels after completing the class? A handmade wooden box with packing materials is supplied for each student allowing for easy, safe, transport.
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Can I construct my own glass-cutting lathe? A complete set of measured drawings, materials lists, photos, and support is available and for sale. These designs are the same specifications used to construct Dave Smith’s new lathe in Torquay, England in August 2023.
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