Kiln-Formed glass bowls and tableware studio

Independent gift shops, galleries, cafés and restaurants wanting distinctive tableware, plus online and craft fair customers. Some makers also take custom orders for wedding gifts or corporate gifts.

Wholesale prices to shops and venues, higher retail prices at fairs and online, and custom or set orders. Pricing needs to cover glass, kiln electricity, packaging and your time.

• Glass cutting and kiln firing
• Design and colour sense
• Patience and consistent quality
• Basic photography and selling online

• Kiln siting, ventilation and fire safety. Check with your home insurer, and your landlord or mortgage lender if relevant
• Check whether running a workshop at home needs permission from your council
• Product liability and public liability insurance, especially when selling to venues
• Items used for food or drink must be suitable for that use. Check food-contact rules before using decorative glazes, enamels or transfers
• Eye protection and dust control when cutting and grinding glass
• Energy costs from kiln firing can eat into margins, so work them into your prices

Startup costs are typically around £1,500 to £7,000, depending on your kiln, glass, tools and insurance. These are estimates, so check kiln size and running costs against the products you plan to make.

Monthly revenue is typically around £400 to £2,000, depending on what you make, your prices and where you sell. These are estimates, and kiln energy costs can eat into margins, so build them into your prices.

Check kiln siting, ventilation and fire safety, and tell your home insurer, landlord or mortgage lender if relevant. Check whether your council needs to give permission for a home workshop, and food-contact rules for anything used for food or drink.