Frequently Asked Questions

Generally speaking, architectural stained glass is worth the most when it remains in place. This means its value is part of the value of the building it lives within. Sometimes stained glass is removed from churches or luxury homes and if the panel is intact and by a notable studio it may be worth getting it professionally appraised. If it's signed you might have something important. If the glass has broken pieces or other damage its value decreases significantly because repair work is pricey. There is a general hierarchy of value based on design~ very personal or religious art is usually worth less money than works that are widely desirable.

Well, you've found one already if you're on this website. :) If you are located more than 100 miles away from Portland,Or my suggestion would be to start with the google search, "custom stained glass near me". Local businesses will pop up and you can look at their websites and portfolios from there to find the best fit. You can also try the Stained Glass Association of America.

There is a very common misunderstanding when it comes to lamps and pendant lights. The technique used to make them is called Tiffany method. And There is also Tiffany Studios, which was founded by Louis Comfort Tiffany (1848-1933), and made some of the most valuable American glass in history. Tiffany invented a method where each piece of glass is edged with a thin copper foil and then soldered along the seams, enabling fluid, 3-D shapes like those used in lamps  If you truly have an object made by Tiffany Studios it will be marked as such. There are also a lot of fakes out there that are marked as Tiffany Studios. If you have something with that mark, take it to a professional to see if it's a reproduction or the real thing. A lot of people inherit a lamp or pendant light that their relative said is a "Tiffany Lamp". They were most likely referring to the method of construction and fluffing the grandeur of the object a little. Most of the Tiffany Studios lamps and chandeliers have been accounted for by now, but you never know! They usually sell at auction for 100K- 3.3M. If you have a very nice, intricate lamp or chandelier in great condition it can be worth quite a bit, even though a different artist made it. Think more in the realm of $500-$5,000.

Well designed, tasteful stained glass will always increase the value of a home. All other things being equal, buyers perceive spaces with stained glass to be more opulent and unique than those without. On an appraisal it is often is included in the "Q" scale category, which is about the quality of construction. This appraisal category also includes other premium materials, like marble, hardwood, and plaster.

As of 2025 most professional studios in Oregon work for $250-$600 per square foot.

Local studios, Melt Glass Art and Design Lite Studios both hold classes regularly. I recommend taking a class or workshop to see if you really like it before investing in the supplies. There is also a wealth of information online, like youtube, the reddit page r/stainedglass, and several facebook pages. A lot of very generous artists answer questions on the forums. I teach workshops from time to time. My next workshop is at Mendocino Art Center 7/18-20, 2025. I also teach private lessons to those that might want more specific instruction, like vitreous painting or design.

"Expensive" is relative, but I would say yes. Colored glass is somewhat costly, as are the metal products used: special solder, lead came, copper tape. You also need tools. The hand tools are approachable in price, but grinders are at least $100 and a good soldering iron starts at $100, too. A great way to get started on a limited budget is to watch marketplace and craigslist for other hobbyists getting rid of their tools and glass.