Glassworks Winter 2013 News

We are indeed fortunate to have such a talented and committed group that makes up the Glassworks team. Although during last year, we said farewell to Beth Siragusa, our office manager who gently guided us into the “computer” age, we welcomed Christine Henderson to broaden our visibility in the architecture and design industry.  Due in large part to the diligent work of our Internet marketing team at the time, David Kaiser, we established relationships and completed projects on the East Coast.  Robbin Tracy—yes, there are two b’s—reached the ten-year milestone with us.  She continues to keep all our projects—and us- prioritized and organized.  Jay Martell, who has been with us for five years, is the most methodical and technically astute artist here. Much can be said about Owen Fitzpatrick, who has become our “go to” person in the cold room. He has become an accomplished glass polisher in a short amount of time. Steve Shahbaghlian, whose knowledge and designs continue to drive the studio’s engines. It takes a village to raise a child—It takes all these creative and dedicated folks to provide our clients with the best most beautiful glass possible.

Last year, we supported the design community by providing custom awards for Washington Glass Association, NEWH, and LUXE’s Battle of the Chefs. In this small way, we contributed to those organizations that do so much for the profession and community.

I truly look forward to 2013—continued work with our creative team and support to our professional organizations.

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Architectural Art Glass 105: How to stand out and stay green.

Embracing sustainability and/or “green” virtues can be confusing at best. Even “experts” differ as to what can be deemed as sustainable. The Architecture and Design (A&D) community wants a design to leave an impression in aesthetics and function while remaining timeless, but how do we achieve that and leave the smallest footprint possible? Where do we turn and which tactics do we take to make the “right” decisions?

This varied and somewhat confusing area of “green” definitions was illustrated by my experience a few years back while enrolled in the local SBA (Sustainable Building Advisor) program. What I valued most from the experience were the community of diverse participants and their viewpoints. We were all working toward a common goal to do the most good in our own professions and community. The melting pot of knowledge came from Architects, Interior Designers, City Planners, Sustainability Consultants, Builders, Engineers, Biologists, Landscapers and Product Sales to name a few. In one particular session, we were asked as a class to compile a list of sustainable products. Upon examination of our completed list and the characteristics of each product, we discovered that even these so-called green products had conflicting attributes that could endorse or deny their acceptance.

So where to go from here? I have found that the best plan of action is common sense and due diligence in research. Work with trusted sources that have a respected reputation and a proven track record of contribution in their field and community. In addition, it is important to take a step and start the process. Remember that each product or practice will have its pros and cons but it is important to make the effort however large or small that will contribute to the larger good.

Our team at Glassworks is no different in that we want to craft a beautiful product that is a unique and healthy choice for our clients.

The following are attributes that make our cast or fused glass a sustainable choice:

  1. Among our offerings is a completely recycled product from the post-industrial source material.
  2. We focus our efforts sourcing and selling in our local community to limit our carbon footprint.
  3. Our primary source of heat for a large part of our facility is captured from our kilns.
  4. We offer 100% glass solutions, the attributes of which contribute in the following ways:
    • Glass is non-toxic: It will not emit harmful volatile organic compounds (VOC’s) or radon making it one of the most environmentally safe materials to have in your home or office.
    • Glass is non-porous: Leaving no place for germs to hide or stains to absorb.
    • Glass is durable: Glass is made of silica which is the main element found in granite, offering a similar hardness and long useful life. And glass doesn’t require sealing.
    • Glass is inert: It won’t react with substances that come into contact with it during normal use.

We invite you to rely upon our vast background of glass knowledge; design and our 45 years of contributing to architectural art glass in the Seattle area.

 Interested in learning more? You can contact us through our contact form
or by calling 206.441.4268

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Winter Design Feature: Glass Tables

We are always hard at work creating new and interesting opportunities to feature handmade art glass in functional applications. One of the most common requests we get are for custom art glass table tops. Glass has a way of turning functional furniture into a featured work of art. Don’t take our word for it… feast your eyes on these recent creations.

Glass tables are great for boardrooms, restaurants, commercial and residential uses. Thicknesses can vary from 3/4″ to 2″. Color design elements can be added in virtually any shade, or the glass can remain clear creating an illusion of taking up less space. Custom bases for glass tables can be made of wood or metal. Although we don’t supply the base, we have relationships with custom manufacturers who we can collaborate with to create the perfect design for your space.

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