Step 1 - establish a budget

When establishing a budget, it is helpful to understand some of the costs of stained glass:

  • Site visits for measurement and consultation

  • Complexity of design

  • Inclusion of bevels or other specialized design elements

  • Labor involved in building the piece

  • Delivery and installation

step 2 - choose a studio and consult with your glass artist

Visit a variety of websites and look for an experienced studio. Do their online examples speak to you? Give them a phone call to establish rapport. It’s important to have a genuine connection with your glass artist! You should feel comfortable asking as many questions as you like, as well as asking for references.

step 3 - design phase

Now the fun begins! Be able to communicate with your chosen studio such factors as:

Function: privacy, view control, home improvement, beauty, ecumenical

Size and shape: square, rectangle, circle, arch. Will the piece be permanently installed or will it hang in front of an existing window?

Style and Complexity: contemporary, traditional, Victorian, ecumenical, mission. Simple or complex.

Budget: How much would you like to spend?

Based on your input, your glass artist will produce scaled drawings for you to review. “Old-school” artists (like River City Glassworks) use paper and colored pencils or watercolors whereas “new-school”, computer-savvy designers use CAD software. In either case, remember that painted or computer-generated colors are merely representations of the true glass colors. Feel free to express your opinions and request design changes.

Once you and your glass artist have settled on a design, a deposit will be requested to begin work. Throughout the project, you may check in on the progress, but should also remember that your artist may have other projects ahead of yours. You should also trust your artist’s knowledge and expertise and not micro-manage the project or make too many changes, as even the smallest changes can affect the entire piece and raise the price. Stained glass is a unique and collaborative artform, and your chosen artist is a professional who has a wealth of knowledge and experience to guide her.

step 4 - construction

At this point your window is finished and you get to see the first light shine through! When you either have the piece delivered and installed or you pick it up from the studio yourself, be sure to inspect carefully and sign off to indicate your acceptance of the piece.

step 5 - delivery and/or installation

step 6 - enjoy!

The collaboration between you and your glass artist is finished, and your vision is realized and interpreted by the expertise and dedication of a skilled stained glass artistan. It’s an heirloom to be treasured by future generations!