Create stunning light-catching pieces from glass. Stained glass and fused glass art transforms spaces and makes memorable gifts that last generations.
Consider these related business ideas and specializations:
Create stunning light-catching pieces from glass. Stained glass and fused glass art transforms spaces and makes memorable gifts that last generations.
Consider these related business ideas and specializations:
San Juan Islands-specific considerations for this business:
Test this idea before investing heavily:
After taking a class, make 8-10 sun catchers and ornaments (~$75-100 in glass). Sell at one or two farmers markets. Track what designs, sizes, and colors sell.
Which themes resonate (nautical, floral, abstract)? What price points work? Do tourists or locals buy more?
You sell most of your inventory and get inquiries about custom or larger pieces.
Expected startup and operating expenses:
Areas where quality investment pays off:
A cheap cutter makes inconsistent scores, leads to bad breaks, and wastes glass. Clean cuts are the foundation of stained glass work.
Good enough: Mid-range cutter from Toyo or Fletcher ($15-30). Replace cutting wheels when they start skipping.
Cheap glass has bubbles, streaks, and inconsistent color. For art pieces, the glass IS the art — quality shows.
Good enough: Spectrum, Uroboros, or Kokomo glass from specialty suppliers. Art glass costs more but the results are worth it.
Areas where cost-cutting makes sense:
Financial timing and planning notes:
Strategies to reduce risk and increase odds of success:
Join shomby today and start selling to your local community. We provide the platform—you bring the passion.
We build shomby around your business—not the other way around. If there's a feature, integration, or tool that would help your glass art & stained glass business succeed, we want to hear about it.
Design and create wearable art pieces from various materials. Handmade jewelry allows for endless creativity and personalization, from delicate minimalist pieces to bold statement items.
Share your artistic vision through original works and high-quality reproductions. Local art buyers appreciate supporting artists in their community and having access to unique pieces.
Create artisanal bath and home fragrance products. This growing market appeals to customers seeking natural, locally-made alternatives to mass-produced products with customizable scents and ingredients.
San Juan Islands-specific considerations for this business:
Test this idea before investing heavily:
After taking a class, make 8-10 sun catchers and ornaments (~$75-100 in glass). Sell at one or two farmers markets. Track what designs, sizes, and colors sell.
Which themes resonate (nautical, floral, abstract)? What price points work? Do tourists or locals buy more?
You sell most of your inventory and get inquiries about custom or larger pieces.
Expected startup and operating expenses:
Areas where quality investment pays off:
A cheap cutter makes inconsistent scores, leads to bad breaks, and wastes glass. Clean cuts are the foundation of stained glass work.
Good enough: Mid-range cutter from Toyo or Fletcher ($15-30). Replace cutting wheels when they start skipping.
Cheap glass has bubbles, streaks, and inconsistent color. For art pieces, the glass IS the art — quality shows.
Good enough: Spectrum, Uroboros, or Kokomo glass from specialty suppliers. Art glass costs more but the results are worth it.
Areas where cost-cutting makes sense:
Financial timing and planning notes:
Strategies to reduce risk and increase odds of success:
Join shomby today and start selling to your local community. We provide the platform—you bring the passion.
We build shomby around your business—not the other way around. If there's a feature, integration, or tool that would help your glass art & stained glass business succeed, we want to hear about it.
Design and create wearable art pieces from various materials. Handmade jewelry allows for endless creativity and personalization, from delicate minimalist pieces to bold statement items.
Share your artistic vision through original works and high-quality reproductions. Local art buyers appreciate supporting artists in their community and having access to unique pieces.
Create artisanal bath and home fragrance products. This growing market appeals to customers seeking natural, locally-made alternatives to mass-produced products with customizable scents and ingredients.