I wanted glass cabinet knobs for my kitchen and the rest is history!
11 November, 2015
I am one of the Veteran Glass Beadmakers / Lampwork Artists. I have been melting glass using the lamp work technique since 1993. I am one of a handful of lucky artists that gets to do what I love while solely supporting myself. I live and work in a magical town 20 miles south of Boston. I live on a peninsula in Scituate Harbor surrounded by the sea, wonderful neighbors and where a lighthouse majestically
sits.
Who knew what would come from a simple request in December of 1995! I had made some glass knobs for the kitchen in the first home I bought. Money was even tighter then than now, much tighter! I had opened up my home and studio for a holiday sale. A client wandered into my kitchen and asked how much the glass knobs cost. I said they were mine and not for sale. My friend overhearing this conversation dragged me to another room and asked me if I was crazy! I told her that was beside the point. My friend told me to sell the knobs and make more for myself! What a great idea! Why didn't I think of that! This is how the Handmade Venetian Glass Knobs became my niche market.
Back in 2007 I opened up an Etsy shop because everyone else did. I paid no attention to the shop though so almost nothing sold. I have always sold glass knobs from my website http://www.glassthings.com, my studio gallery, art shows and to home designers. The day came I decided to put some effort into Etsy .
First I looked around on Etsy to see what other glass knobs are out there. The first thing I noticed is most of the glass knobs on Etsy are fused glass. There is nothing wrong with fused glass knobs, they are perfectly wonderful, fun and functional. The technique for making fused glass knobs differs greatly from the lampwork technique I use. I make glass knobs 1 knob at a time using a 1600 degree flame from a specialized torch system, tools and heat resistant, threaded metal hardware I designed and have manufactured in the USA. It takes me about 1 hour to make each knob. The glass knobs then soak in a kiln to cool properly so the glass is stress free and will not break. Fused glass knobs are made in molds and in dozens or as many as a kiln will hold. I point this out as a reference point to the difference in prices. Another difference is this - I use no adhesives to hold my glass knobs together. The Venetian glass I melt is affixed directly to the heat resistant metal inserts I designed and have manufactured in the USA. My glass knobs will never separate as glass knobs do.
I made a video some time ago showing how I make glass knobs... http://bit.ly/1KZwX9I
Please check back because I regularly add more glass knobs and special offers.
Peace,
Marj
