Custom Stained Glass Windows and Art

Working with the artist

Design is the most time consuming and crucial part of any custom project. As with any design, there are so many factors to consider and finding an artist that can work with your ideas and design needs is essential.

For this effort, Michelle teams with her husband Bill who is a graphic designer. Together, they perform a site visit and talk to you about what you want. You will look through their design catalog and discuss ideas with them. They will take in the environment and make note of your personal tastes, room décor, and the colors, textures, and imagery that will share the space with Michelle’s art. They will take pictures and measurements noting the size and shape for the project.

Then they return with some customized design mockups for you to look over. With your input, they are tweaked and modified until you are completely delighted with the design.

More Custom Window Examples

Tulips in an oval window set in a grand entrance

This room separator is hung in an antique barn window frame

This multi window design is set into a three panel configuration that can be viewed from both sides. It overlooks a pool patio outside, and is set into a master bedroom inside.

Custom Decor Examples

This is a sample of Michelle’s projects. Click on a picture to bring up an enlarged view. Included are commissioned and non-commissioned pieces. Soon we will be adding a catalog of available windows for purchase. For now, please use the contact us page to discuss your ideas and availability.

This custom clock face is backlit in an antique grandmother clock. This is now the center piece of a cozy-chic living room.

This grapevine features three dimensional glass and vine pieces

A bird lover captures her favorite visitor

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Soft blue wave as a free hung decorative room separator

Large single panel interior window, 55" X 30", in a formal dining room

Confetti glass and a variety of textured glass embedded with sea glass

Wall Sconces enhanced by both natural and internal lighting.

Custom Prices

Custom stained glass art does not need to be outrageous in price. There are many factors that come in to play for any project; including the size of the piece, the complexity and intricacy of the design, the type of glass selected, dimensional aspects, and the installation technique that will be used. Working closely with the artist during the design will help you make appropriate decisions.

The size: A large piece does not need to be expensive, but it does imply more glass. It also often lends itself to a design requiring more pieces and ultimately more cuts by the artisan.

Design Complexity: As you look at patterns you can note the number of pieces involved, as well as the difficulty of the cuts. Each piece in a design needs to be cut and ground into an exact shape for the pattern, and it doesn’t take too much imagination to figure out which patterns are more difficult.

The Type of Glass: There are so many types of glass that can be considered for a project. Some glass is simply stained, other has texture, some involves intricate mixtures of colors and grains and others are customized through fusing or other techniques.

Dimensional Aspects: Some windows require a curved surface, or incorporate a third dimension to the design. The degree to which these techniques need to be deployed add the complexity and cost of the project.

Installation Techniques: In most cases this will not have a huge impact on the cost of the project but a complex installation requirement can add to the cost of your project. Windows that will be viewed from either side or need to be incorporated into a door or window that is not stationary have different considerations.

The Process

Once a design is created, Michelle works with you to select the actual glass from samples that she recommends. Michelle’s talent in recommending the right mix of tones, textures and opacity for your project is uncanny, and she will help you as you narrow down your choices.

Once that is set, the rest of the work is done back in the studio. The design is turned into project templates, and high grade glass and assembly products are ordered. Michelle’s primary construction technique is a foiling and leading process that produces sleek and elegant lines, keeping the composition light and accentuating the beauty of the glass. At times this technique is combined with caming where more stability is required or the design calls for a bulkier feel.