Hand-Blown glassware studio

Restaurants, hotels, bars, independent homeware shops, gift retailers, wholesalers and individual buyers online or at fairs.

Wholesale sales of sets to shops and venues, plus higher-priced retail sales online and at shows. Custom orders for restaurants and weddings can add steady work.

• Glassblowing or glassworking experience
• Consistent production of matching pieces
• Pricing and costing, including fuel and time
• Selling to wholesale buyers

• Check zoning, fire code and building permits with your city or county before installing a furnace or kilns
• Furnaces use a lot of gas or electricity, so check ventilation, gas and electrical requirements with a qualified professional
• Avoid lead-containing glass for drinkware and check FDA guidance on food-contact items, especially for decorative coatings
• Get general and product liability insurance, plus workers' compensation if you hire help
• Heat, burns and silica dust are serious risks, so plan safety equipment and training
• Equipment is a big upfront cost, so start with used or shared equipment if you can

Startup costs are typically estimated at around $6,000 to $30,000, depending on whether you buy new, used or shared equipment and how you set up your space. Equipment is a big upfront cost, so consider used or shared options if you can.

Check zoning, fire code and building permits with your city or county before installing a furnace or kilns. Also check ventilation, gas and electrical needs with a qualified professional, and check FDA guidance on food-contact items and avoiding lead-containing glass.

Monthly revenue is typically estimated at around $2,000 to $10,000, depending on your range, pricing and how many restaurants, shops and online buyers you sell to. The estimates assume at least about 20 hours of work a week.