Why are we in business? We contribute to the beauty of our surroundings by helping others in the design/built industry create stunning and functional glass installations. We contribute to the joy our clients feel when they choose us for their projects and when they are complimented on having an art piece that is also useful. One of our early ads stated “tongue-in-cheek” that Edith loved her glass eating counter so much, she wondered if plates were necessary! We like the fact that our glass can be admired and used at the same time. We contribute to the melding of art, design and practicality – a combination that is attributed to the best craftsmen.

What do we do and why do we do it?  There are some businesses that understand their mission, are laser-focused and forge ahead.  We’ve been a bit more malleable.  Our business has morphed many times throughout the years in response to trends in style and creativity.  Along the way, we have completed some fantastic projects.  Always learning, we’ve also taken projects we probably shouldn’t have, because they were interesting, and because we wanted to work with a specific client.  What a way to run a business- and run it has.

Despite our “running” a bit haphazardly for many years, we have survived (because of the talent of the founder and the skill of our great staff).  2016 was our best year to date; 2017 is 1/6 completed.  We are very much on track, and constantly looking to drill down on the first question of this paragraph. “What do we do and why do we do it?” Focusing on the “why and what” will be essential as we charge ahead to meet future challenges and continue our success.

As spring meets summer, I thought I’d share a peek at a recent counter we fabricated that complements the colorful exuberance of the season. The design was actually based on the artwork of Wassily Kandinsky, a well-known early 20th-century abstract artist.   It was challenging but fun to translate his design intent in glass.

This “swoop” of a countermeasures 12 ft.- 3 in. L x 2 in. thick.  It is situated in an area with plenty of natural light from a waterfront setting during the day and dramatically underlit when the day darkens.   It certainly commands attention in a setting full of beautiful and distinctive artwork.   We were fortunate to be able to provide this striking piece for a very discerning couple.

Interior Designer:  Kay Stewart Design
Architect:  Scott Allen Architecture
Contractor:  The Roberts Group Builders

Since our last email, we’ve donated to two more non-profit organizations, The American Lung Association, and Kitty Harbor, through our referral program.   As a reminder, if you refer a client to us, we will make a donation in your name to a non-profit organization of your choice.  We have contributed to almost forty non-profit businesses, some more than once, since we initiated the program.

News:  Welcome to Jesse Diaz!  A skilled craftsman who concentrates on doing the finishing work on our fabrications.

Thanks for reading…and as always, feedback is appreciated!

Join us at Glassworks for our Open House and Remnant Sale! It’s time to offer our professional connections and friends an opportunity to purchase glass remnants that we have accumulated in our “Garage”. These pieces are priced to go “as is”. Most of them are too large to donate to Zero Landfill, but would like to find a new home where they will be appreciated and admired! So come on by! Cash, checks, Visa or MasterCard accepted.

Stick around or drop in for our Open House. We have new glass options that we’re excited for you to see. Deems will be providing the fun music and there’ll be lots to eat and drink. I hope you’ll come so we can thank you in person for being on our team!

As the warm days of summer ramp up, our minds naturally drift toward visions of respite, shade and water.  Our cascading cast glass eating counter embodies that vision of a refreshing, spring mountain thaw, or an icy beverage being poured into a glass.  Its surface looks very cool; feels very cool.  Amazing how visual and tactile senses can affect your perceptions – glass can do that!

CT-120 Cast Arctic Dense eating counter, 168″ x 18″ x 1″thick, with segmented return for cascading effect.

Cascading Cast Glass Eating Counter

Residential Project 2015

Cast Arctic Dense eating counter
168” x 18” x 1”, with segmented return

Design by Nils Finne of FINNE Architects
Contractor:  Rimmer & Roeter Construction
Photo Courtesy of Nils Finne

SAVE THE DATE!  Open House and Remnant Sale 
August 20, 2015.  Details to follow.

We got creative with this glass eating counter installation… Enjoy!

In that missive, we gave all our clients, suppliers, network buddies, supporters and design team members a Valentine. Wish it could be beautiful glass jewels. What a combination – individuals we appreciate and glass we love. At times we do heroic things…large heavy pieces with wondrous color and edgework. We probably wouldn’t create this on our own. Everyone around us forces us to be better and better. We push past self-imposed limits and fabricate pieces that fulfill a vision – and sometimes even astound us.

In the coming weeks, I’ll write about things that are interesting, informative and occasionally quirky – all under 200 words. I’m certainly not a writer, but I am eager to share with you some of my thoughts. Feel free to comment, suggest, and disagree. We’ll start a conversation.

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 Tracyyes, 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.

Every year, I think summer will never get here. Although we in Seattle complain about our gloomy June that gives way to the blue skies of July, we can use glass panels to let in a lot of natural light and to reflect the light within our space year round. Maybe that’s one of the reasons why there are so many glass studios in the Northwest.

Another way to make the most of our delayed summer weather is to get out and meet others, learn, and enjoy the opportunities in the area. Belonging to professional groups and attending meetings is a great way to shake off the grays. CREW (Commercial Real Estate Women)WGA (Washington Glass Association)ASID (American Society of Interior Designers); and NBIS (Network of Business Innovation and Sustainability) are just a few of the organizations that are indeed energy boosters!

Tish Oye, Principal
Glassworks, Inc.


Meta Marble

We are proud to announce that Meta Marble will be featuring select glass slabs by Glassworks, Inc.

“Meta’s combination of the finest service, established sources, and selection of the best quality products provides our customers with the best advantages for creating projects of the highest quality, durability and beauty.”

More info: www.MetaMarble.com