John

I was an exploration geologist and University Professor working in Botswana, Zambia, Brazil, Saudi Arabia, the Netherlands, Portugal, and other countries before opening Artistry in Glass in 1986. In my more than 35 years of experience, I have brought my technical abilities as a scientist to the trade of glasswork. During this time I have become an industry expert in glass and glass-related skills. Watch out for special insider tips developed from my detailed knowledge of the glass business.

Stained Glass and Black Lives Matter: the Wales Window

by John

Plaque commemorates the murder of 4 black girls in Alabama

Stained Glass Commemorates the 16th St Baptist Church bombing How does the ancient art of stained glass intersect with the Black Lives Matter movement? And what is the moving connection between the people of the small principality of Wales and the fight for racial justice in the US? It was a Sunday morning in 1963 at the 16th Street Baptist Church in Birmingham Alabama when four Ku Klux Klan members exploded 15 sticks of dynamite under the steps on the east side of the church. About 200 parishioners were in the building when the bomb exploded and four young black … Read more

How Much Does Stained Glass Cost? a Useful Guide

by John

restored Art Nouveau-style transom from Chicago

Many people admire the beauty of stained glass and would love to commission a panel for their home. But they have no idea of how to order stained glass and how much a panel costs. Learn all you need to know about how much stained glass costs in this useful guide. The cost of a stained glass panel is made up of the following charges, design, color choice, measuring, fabrication, and delivery & installation. Simple designs with fewer pieces and straight lines cost much less than complex curvilinear designs. Measuring, delivery & installation charges depend on the distance from the … Read more

Are broken antiques worth fixing? Find out from the experts!

by John

Cleaning your house for the 4th time during Covid-19

Most antiques and collectibles, especially those handed down through multiple generations, have minor or even major defects – or as they say on the Antiques Roadshow “condition issues”. The important question is – are they worth fixing? The crucial factor in the decision to fix or not to fix is the degree of personal attachment that you have for the broken object. An extreme degree of remorse is caused when you break a family heirloom – especially if it was a gift or was handed down by a loved one. The best way to assuage this guilt and remorse is … Read more

Is leaded glass dangerous? Do not worry – learn the facts!

by John

If you grew up in America prior to 1978, you probably remember your parents telling you not to eat the paint chips. At the time, children were slowly and secretly developing lead poisoning, which caused severe developmental issues. Though lead paint has been done away with for decades now, lead is still used in the production of stained glass. Is lead in stained glass dangerous? The answer is – not really. Leaded stained glass poses more of a health risk to manufacturers than it does to homeowners. That is because the lead used in stained glass is only really dangerous … Read more

Is your broken stained glass panel worth repairing?

by John

Antique stained glass is highly collectible for sentimental reasons as baby boomers look back on their childhood years. Beautiful examples can be found in antique shops or on eBay but they are often damaged, with cracked or missing pieces. The question becomes: is my broken stained glass worth repairing? Genuine stained glass panels from the early 1900s are well worth restoring but modern reproductions may not be. Consult a stained glass expert to be sure. Artistry in Glass video explains all you need to know about restoring stained glass. Antique panel from Chicago Restored This beautiful stained glass panel needed … Read more

14 ways to sell stained glass – tips from a glass expert!

by John

Whether you are a hobbyist with stained glass projects to sell or you have a valuable antique stained glass panel or lampshade, you will want to make sure you’re getting true market value for your glass. But this is tricky if you do not have your own retail shop. So, how do you sell stained glass? Here are 14 places that we have found to sell stained glass: For a quick payday, antique shops are the way to go. For the chance at the most money with rare stained glass, auction houses are your #1 option. For a wider audience … Read more

Super Tilt Dolly – easily transport and rotate heavy loads

by John

Tilt Dolly rotates from horizontal to near vertical

The innovative Super Tilt Dolly has multiple uses: for the handyman, glassworker, stained glass artist, sandblaster, doormaker, and more Key benefits The unique Super Tilt Dolly will help you to avoid back strain or injury as you maneuver unwieldy sheets of glass or plywood, load & unload your pickup truck, transport weighty loads, and handle fragile stained glass panels while negotiating uneven ground & narrow doorways. Rotate heavy loads (400 lbs or more) from horizontal to vertical We manipulate a heavy glass panel in preparation for sandblasting the Catalina logo for a Tucson nursing home. The Tilt Dolly was also … Read more

Can my stained glass lampshade be repaired? Find out here!

by John

Stained Glass or Art-Glass lampshades are jewelry for your home but they are fragile and easily broken At Artistry in Glass, we have been restoring broken stained glass lampshades since 1986 and so we know all about repairing glass lampshades. Most stained glass lampshades can be repaired but the cost varies dramatically depending on the type of shade and the severity of the damage. Read this post to learn about the main categories of art glass shades and the techniques required to repair them. The six types of lampshades most often repaired by Artistry in Glass Tiffany-style shades made using … Read more