HOOK HANDMADE

PRICING

 

Q: How much does your stained glass cost?

A: Every piece is different and custom made for each client, and therefore price varies from piece to piece.  Price is determined by the complexity of the design, the size, number of pieces of glass, and the options selected.  That being said the range for a set of wings is generally between  $1700 and $3000 plus shipping and handling.

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Q: Why is your work so expensive?

A:  Stained glass is a very labor intensive art form, and materials are very expensive.  I use technology where I can to help speed up the process and keep the prices down.  Demand for my work is very high, though, and micro-economic principles do play a part.  ​​​​

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Q: Are there terms and conditions required?

A: Yes.  Every order requires clients to accept the Terms and Conditions (available HERE) and to review the Shipping page (available HERE).

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DESIGN

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Q: Should I personalize my piece with a callsign, rank, or last name?

A:  This is entirely personal choice, but all three have been done in the past.  Some people want their piece to be handed down to their kids and grandkids who may not understand the callsign so they elect to use their last name.  The 12 character limit also helps guide people towards a decision

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Q: Is the 12 character limiit a hard and fast limit?

A: Not necessarily.  Some designs will accommodate longer names, and some letters take less space than others.  Each letter requires between 2 and 10 pieces of glass.  Long names may therefore cost more.

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Q:  What if I want other colors or a different design?

A:  NO PROBLEM!  The commission request is just a starting point for additional conversations.  I'm happy to work with you on anything you want, but additional design fees may apply.  These fees are generally waived if I can use the design again in the future for another client. 

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Q: I don't see my warfare insignia in your gallery.  Can you make other insignias?

A: Of course!  I'm always looking to expand into other communities and even other services.  There's no charge to create a new insignia design if there's a reasonable chance that I can do another one in the future.

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Q:  Why is the frame molding made from two laminated boards and not a single piece of wood?

A:  Solid wood is highly affected by changes in humidity, and can warp, twist, and bow, which can put pressure on the glass and possible cause a crack.  By laminating two boards together the wood is made more dynamically stable, which dramatically reduces this risk.  

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DELIVERY AND TIMELINES

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Q: What is the turn around time for my commission?

A: Turn around time is dependent upon how many commissions are already in queue, and can range from one month to a year.

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Q: How long would a rush order to arrive?

A:  The fastest I can do a piece and get it to you is two weeks, but that timeline is subject to other factors such as existing pieces in work and existing rush orders.  Rush orders require an additional rush fee.

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Q: What if I move before receiving my commission?

A: No problem.  I'm no stranger to military moves and always verify your shipping address before sending it out.

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Q:  I'm an airline pilot, can you time shipping around my trip schedule?

A: Absolutely!  Before I ship I will verify that your or someone else will be available to sign for it.

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Q: How many pieces do you make a year?

A: I generally schedule one piece per month for a total of 12 a year. 

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CARE AND INSTALLATION

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Q: How do I hang and care for my piece?

A:  Every piece ships with a four page "About Your Glass" document.  A copy of the document can be downloaded HERE.

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Q: Where should I hang my glass?

A: Hang stained glass in front of a window whenever possible.  Natural light is better at capturing the glass' vibrancy and texture.  Select a window with the most direct sunlight (generally a south or west facing window).

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Q:  Can I hang my stained glass outside?

A:  Short answer is No.  The copper foil method to make this type of stained glass does not weather well in the elements.

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DAMAGE AND REPAIR

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Q:  Why don't you guarantee agains breakage during shipping?

A:  First, my crating method does a lot to minimize the risk of breakage, but the risk of anything is never zero.  My work contains hundreds of individual pieces of glass, some of which are very small and can be practically impossible to replace without rebuilding the entire panel.  Returning a piece to be repaired doubles the risk of breakage during shipping to and from my studio.  

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Q:  I think I have a crack in a piece of glass, but I'm not sure.  How do I tell?

A:  If you can't tell if it's a crack then it's probably just a crease or groove that was imparted into the glass when it was rolled at the factory.  Art glass is largely handmade and as such has a lot of beautiful imperfections.  A true crack will look like a crack in a car windshield, and you may not be able to feel it. 

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Q: I have a broken piece of glass in my panel and I want to have it replaced.  What do I do?

A:  There are stained glass artists everywhere.  Online forums are a great resource to find artisans who can do local repair work, which avoids the risk of damage due to shipping.  One of the many challenges in repairing stained glass is matching the glass.  I keep records of the glass used in each piece and can provide that information upon request. 

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Q: Are there other options for cracked glass that don't require replacing the glass?

A: Yes.  A Dutch weld is something that any competent stained glass artist can do, which will hide the crack behind a bead of lead solder.  This is done by laying adhesive copper foil over the crack and then soldering it into the connecting solder lines.  This is my preferred fix for cracks on very narrow or small pieces, but can be done on almost any crack regardless of size as long as the piece is still firmly in place.  Since backgrounds are usually symmetrical, other Dutch welds can be added to unbroken pieces to  balance the composition.

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Q: Is my frame solid hardwood or just veneered, and can it be refinished?

A:  All of my frames are solid hardwood, and very rarely stained.  This means the frames are easily repaired or refinished by any seasoned woodworker.  Special care should be taken to support the glass when removing the glass from the frame.  The frame is integral to the piece's structural rigidity.

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Q: Can I replace the light?

A: Yes.  The light is a commercial off the shelf kit that can be replaced.

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Q: Can I add a light to my glass if I didn't select the option and I've already received my glass?

A:  Sort of.  I hand cut all of the frame profiles, and use a different profile for pieces with and without a back light.  The molding for backlit pieces is harder to cut and includes insets to receive the light and back panel.  Adding a light to the non-backlit molding without the inset means that the perimeter of the piece will be much bright than usual and the light itself will be visible. This may be an issue for some clients.