Our Story

Turning a hobby into a thriving business has been an incredible adventure, and we’re excited to share our journey with you!

What began as a shared curiosity quickly blossomed into a passion for creating stained glass art. My husband and I started making stained glass pieces simply to learn something new together. We loved the intricate beauty of handmade sun catchers, especially those crafted with colorful, textured glass. Designing and creating our own pieces felt like the perfect way to express our creativity, customize designs to our taste, and enjoy a meaningful hobby.

As we honed our skills, we realized how much joy our creations brought—not only to us but also to others. Encouraged by the positive feedback from friends and family, we began sharing our handmade stained glass pieces at local markets. We got our start at Rogers Flea Market in east-central Ohio, and thanks to the support of loyal customers, we expanded into craft shows and eventually launched our online store on Etsy.

We named our shop Mechanical Glass as a nod to my husband’s meticulous nature as a mechanic—his precision and attention to detail are at the heart of everything we create.

The Art Behind Our Craft

Each piece of stained glass we make is a collaborative labor of love, involving six distinct steps:

  1. Patterns: We start by designing or selecting a pattern, choosing the perfect glass, cutting out the pattern pieces, and gluing them to the glass for each section of the design.
  2. Cutting: Each glass piece is carefully scored and cut to fit the pattern.
  3. Grinding: We grind the edges of each glass piece to ensure precise alignment.
  4. Foiling: Copper foil is applied to the edges of the glass, preparing the pieces for assembly.
  5. Soldering: The individual pieces are soldered together to form the final creation.
  6. Patina & Finishing Touches: We apply patina to the solder lines and add a hanging string, completing the piece.

From start to finish, each stained glass piece represents a blend of our individual strengths and shared creativity.

Explore Our Collection

Every piece we create is crafted with love, care, and a meticulous attention to detail. We invite you to explore our work, share your thoughts, and follow along on our creative journey. Check out the pictures of our previous projects in each category on the menu or the pieces we have for sale now in our Etsy store: Shop Mechanical Glass on Etsy or let us know what we can make custom for you – just email us at requests@mechanicalglass.com (we will make every effort to respond within 24 hours).

We can’t wait to see where this adventure takes us next!