Glass blower with your own studio

Galleries, interior designers, private collectors, businesses wanting bespoke pieces and visitors buying from a studio shop or events.

Selling pieces and commissions, wholesale to galleries and shops, and optionally running taster workshops for the public.

• Strong, proven glassblowing technique
• Design and a recognisable style
• Safe working with gas and high heat
• Pricing, selling and managing commissions

• Furnaces run continuously and energy costs can be high, so check the running costs carefully
• Check planning use, building regulations, fire safety and gas safety requirements for your unit
• Fit-out costs such as gas and electrical work, ventilation and extraction can add a lot to equipment costs, so get quotes early
• Public liability insurance, plus cover for stock and equipment, and employer's liability if you hire help
• If you run workshops for the public, check extra insurance and safety rules
• Income can be uneven at first, so plan some savings to cover quiet months

Startup costs are typically around £30,000 to £90,000, depending on your furnace and equipment and the fit-out your unit needs. These are estimates, so get quotes early for gas, electrical work and extraction.

Monthly revenue is typically around £1,500 to £6,000, depending on your pieces, commissions and sales channels. These are estimates, the low end assumes around 30 hours a week, and income can be uneven at first.

Check planning use, building regulations, fire safety and gas safety for your unit, plus furnace running costs. Also check public liability, stock and equipment cover, employer's liability if you hire, and extra insurance if you run public workshops.