How to Start a Glass Blowing Business

Part 1 - How to start a Glass Blowing business - Background

Art comes in all forms. A glassblower uses techniques that have been around since the first century BC, shaping the glass into their creative vision. They sell their work in online stores and local galleries. Many also take on commissioned work.

Our guide is in 3 parts:

• Part 1 - How to start a Glass Blowing business - Background
• Part 2 - Our planner tool to see if this idea is the right fit for you
• Part 3 - Action plan to get started

What are the costs involved in opening a glass blowing business?

If you’re starting a glassblowing business, you hopefully have some experience in the art of glass smithing, as well as a good portion of the tools needed. Your biggest startup expenses will be rent on a large studio space, a furnace, and an annealer. Many artists make the mistake of investing in a small studio, with plans to move once they’ve grown. Successful glassblowers advise against doing so for both your workspace and your heating and cooling devices.

A large studio space can run anywhere from $500 – $5,000 per month, depending upon location and size. Stay within your price range, but take the time to invest in a space you can grow into. If you’re starting from scratch, you’ll need a lot of tools to fill your studio. Between the furnace, glory, annealer, and various tools, plan to budget between $25,000 and $35,000, depending upon how open you are to purchasing used.

If you don’t have a lot of capital to work with, you could become a member of a local glassworking facility. For a monthly or annual fee, you have access to all the tools you need. It’s also a great way to build relationships within the community.

What are the ongoing expenses for a glass blowing business?

If you’re renting a workspace, rather than working out of your garage, rent is your largest expense. Budget for approximately $600 per month for electric and gas. Your real expenses then become insurance and supplies.

Who is the target market?

A glass smith’s clientele are lovers of art in all shapes and forms. Since glass can be made into virtually anything, your target market is very broad, with many of them avid collectors.

How does a glass blowing business make money?

A gaffer makes their money by selling individual pieces to art collectors, art galleries, and stores.

How much can you charge customers?

Your work will be sold on a piece-by-piece basis, with pricing based on labor and materials.

How much profit can a glass blowing business make?

Your profit is directly tied to the amount of work you produce and how much of a name you’re able to build for yourself. The median salary of a glassblower in 2015 was $29,630 a year. Many freelance artists, however, are able to sell one piece for thousands of dollars, so there is the potential to make significantly more.

How can you make your business more profitable?

Glassblowers who have reported higher earnings are deeply immersed in their community. Consider adding the following to your business strategy to enhance your business’ profits:

• Team up with galleries and museums to perform live demonstrations

• Offer lessons to aspiring glass blowers

• Share studio space with other artists and hobbyists, which will further advance your relationships with those in the community and help reduce overhead costs

• Feature other up-and-coming artists in your studio and online store

• Take a commission on referred sales or sell directly at a markup

• Accept work doing commissioned pieces and collaborate with various artists to craft one-of-a-kind creations

Day-to-Day and Growth

What happens during a typical day at a glass blowing business?

Glassblowers, also known as gaffers or glass smiths, spend their days in the studio working on their trade. They begin by mixing and heating glass ingredients in a furnace or kiln. Once the glass is mixed and at temperature, they collect molten glass on their blowpipe. Puffs of air and various shaping tools are utilized to complete the works of art.

Once the artist’s vision is complete, the piece must cool properly to prevent cracks and shattering. The glass is hardened by cooling and reheating multiple times.

No matter how beautiful, a gaffer’s work will not sell just sitting in the studio. The artist must consistently work to showcase their craft and make a name for themselves, within the art community.

What are some skills and experiences that will help you build a successful glass blowing business?

The number one skill you must possess is creativity. Without this, even the simplest piece won’t stand out to a collector. Glassblowing requires sculpting and the use of extreme heat. Therefore, it’s also important that you possess fine motor skills, patience, heat tolerance, and enjoy working with your hands.

In order to sell your work, you’ll also need to possess strong interpersonal skills and be able to promote yourself. Many artists tend to be reclusive, impeding them from approaching galleries and stores about selling your art.

What is the growth potential for a glass blowing business?

Due to the nature of their work, many glassblowers choose to keep their business small and local. There are, however, a number of world-renowned gaffers whose pieces are sold and showcased all over the world.

How and when to build a team

Each piece of blown glass is a unique work of art that reflects your style and vision. Unless your ultimate goal is to teach glassblowing classes or have an apprentice, much of your work will take place unassisted.

Part 2 - Is a Glass Blowing business the right fit for you?

Part 3 - Action plan to launch your Glass Blowing business in 90 days