Glass Expressions

What Glass Expressions does

Glass Expressions is a full-service stained glass studio located in Burien, Washington, just south of Seattle. The business has operated continuously since 1974 and was acquired by Kathy Johnson in 1983, who rebranded it from its original name, Stained Glass Art and Supply. Lael Bennett joined as a business partner in 1993 after taking a class at the studio. The company employs only its two owner-operators, with co-tenants at the same address extending physical retail coverage through a shared arrangement with Sitka Living.

The studio's product portfolio spans custom stained glass windows, repair services, kiln firing, retail tools and supplies for stained glass/fusing/glass beadmaking, and structured 6-week beginner copper foil classes priced at $250 plus tax (materials not included). A newer line, Kits for Kids, packages fusing project kits ($16-$35 plus $8 shipping) for families, with kiln firing performed at the studio. The core craft technique is the copper foil method, augmented by fusing and glass beadmaking expertise accumulated over decades by both owners.

The business runs on a direct-to-consumer retail model: walk-in shopping from 12-3pm Tuesday-Saturday at 648 SW 152nd St, scheduled on-site classes, and appointment-only custom commissions and repairs. Marketing channels include the YouTube channel 'The Glass Classroom,' a monthly email newsletter, Google Maps 360 views, and memberships in Friends In Glass and the Pacific Northwest Glass Guild. There is no external funding, no parent company, and no evidence of institutional ownership; the operation is wholly entrepreneurially held. Revenue scale is undisclosed but constrained by single-location, owner-operated hours consistent with a sub-$1M annual gross.

Name

Glass Expressions

Legal name

Glass Expressions

Website

https://glassexpressions.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1974

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Glass Expressions is a full-service stained glass studio in Burien, Washington, serving the Seattle metro area with custom windows, repairs, on-site classes, retail supplies, and fusing project kits for hobbyists, students, and families. Two owner-operators have run the studio since 1983 and 1993.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Headquarters

HQ city

Burien

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Supply Chain, Marketing or Sales, Others

Revenue model

1. Retail Sales: Sells tools, supplies, and glass for stained glass, fusing, and glass beadmaking through in-store shopping
2. Class Fees: 6-week beginner stained glass classes at $250 + tax, taught on-site at the studio
3. Custom Commission Work: Custom stained glass windows created for customers
4. Repair Services: Stained glass repair services for existing pieces
5. Kits for Kids: Fusing project kits sold to families for home project creation, with kiln firing service included

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels4 records

Core offering

Glass Expressions is a full-service stained glass studio that creates custom stained glass windows, provides stained glass repair services, teaches a 6-week Beginner Copper Foil Stained Glass Class 101 plus specialty one-day workshops, and sells a full line of tools and supplies for stained glass, fusing, and glass beadmaking. It also retails 'Kits for Kids' fusing project kits that customers assemble at home and return to the studio for professional kiln firing.

Product overview

Glass Expressions is a full-service stained glass studio offering a comprehensive portfolio centered on custom stained glass creation, repair services, and education. The core offerings include custom stained glass windows (featured in the Shop Gallery), stained glass repairs, and kiln firing services. Educational products include a 6-week Beginner Copper Foil Stained Glass Class 101 ($250 plus tax) and One-Day Workshops on specialty techniques. A distinctive sub-product is Kits for Kids, which provides fusing project kits with colored glass bits and tiles for home creation, with subsequent kiln firing at the studio. The studio also operates a Student Gallery and Shop Gallery showcasing completed work. Retail operations include a full line of tools and supplies for stained glass, fusing, and glass beadmaking available for purchase in-store. The company has been in business since 1974, operated by Kathy Johnson since 1983 with Lael Bennett as partner since 1993.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Custom Stained Glass Windows Custom-designed stained glass windows created for customers on commission, featuring various themes including wildlife, nature, and abstract designs.
• Stained Glass Repairs Repair services for existing stained glass pieces to restore damaged or broken windows and artwork.
• Beginner Copper Foil Stained Glass Class 101 Six-week beginner course teaching the copper foil (Tiffany) method, where students complete a small window panel and suncatcher. Class fee is $250 plus tax plus materials.
• One-Day Workshops Specialty workshops offered periodically on various stained glass techniques, complementing the standard 6-week curriculum.
• Kits for Kids Fusing project kits for children containing a 4-1/4" blank glass tile, colored glass bits, strings of glass, glue, and instructions. Available in four color schemes (Rainbow, Flowers, Sea Life, Forest) and priced from $16 for one tile to $35 for four tiles plus $8 shipping; finished tiles are returned to the shop for kiln firing.
• Kiln Firing Services On-site kiln firing of glass pieces, including those created via Kits for Kids or other projects, bringing glass to temperature for proper fusing; finished fired piece typically available for pickup in about a week.
• Glass Tools and Supplies Full line of tools and supplies for stained glass, fusing, and glass beadmaking, available for purchase during shop hours and through partner shop Sitka Living.

Segments2 records

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

Two partnerships are on record, tiered minor.

• Sitka LivingminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorGlass Expressions shares retail space with Sitka Living, a furniture, decor and gift shop. Sitka Living sells Glass Expressions supplies during their open hours (Wed-Mon 12-5pm) but cannot cut glass. This arrangement provides cross-traffic and expanded availability for customers.
• Friends In GlassminorOthersGlass Expressions is a member of Friends In Glass, a not-for-profit group supporting those interested in glass as an art form. Members receive a free five-times-yearly e-newsletter covering local Pacific Northwest glass art, events, artists, and classes.

Scale indicators2 records

Recent moves4 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Emerging players

• Coral Glass Beads / beadmaking supply retailers: Independent beadmaking supply shops and online bead retailers. Comparable on the glass-beadmaking craft segment that Kathy Johnson has practiced for 20+ years, though focused on beadmaking rather than full stained glass services.
• Etsy custom stained glass shops: Independent artisans selling custom stained glass windows and fused glass pieces online. Comparable custom-commission business at the lower-volume end of the same market Glass Expressions serves through its commission work.

Broad incumbents

• Frantz Art Glass: Long-running stained glass supply retailer offering glass, tools, and instructional resources. Comparable supply and education overlap, though national scope rather than single storefront.
• Bullseye Glass Co. Major manufacturer of fused glass supplies used by hobbyists and studios including Glass Expressions' fusing customers. Comparable as a glass art supplier though operating at much larger scale and as a manufacturer rather than local studio.
• Wissmach Glass Company: Manufacturer of stained and art glass sold to studios and hobbyists. Comparable on the upstream glass-supply side that Glass Expressions draws from for its retail and commission work.
• Delphi Glass: Large national retailer of stained glass tools, supplies, and kits with online ordering and classes. Comparable supply-and-education business model to Glass Expressions, though operating at national scale.

Regional players

• Northwest Art Glass: Regional stained glass supply retailer in the Pacific Northwest serving hobbyists and professionals. Directly comparable product mix (glass, tools, supplies) and geographic overlap with Glass Expressions' Seattle-area market.
• Portland Stained Glass Works: Pacific Northwest studio offering custom stained glass, repairs, and classes. Closest direct comparable to Glass Expressions in terms of combined retail/class/commission/repair model and regional footprint.

Others

• Sitka Living: Co-located retail partner inside the Glass Expressions building selling furniture, decor, and gifts. Not a competitor but a channel partner that extends Glass Expressions' retail hours and customer reach.
• Pacific Northwest Glass Guild: Regional not-for-profit association of glass artists including both Glass Expressions owners. Comparable as an ecosystem participant and referral source for glass art classes and commissions in the region.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat3 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/channel/UC2x2AKKgp7SK6jE4GsW_mJQ
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/glass-expressions

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles2 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Glass Expressions