What’S So Special About Glassybaby?

Glassybaby is a Washington-based company that creates colorful, handmade glass vessels for votive candles. Their products are unique due to their one-of-a-kind, handmade nature. Each glass vessel is individually crafted by experienced glass blowers, resulting in beautiful, imperfect creations that stand out from typical mass-produced candles. Glassybaby is known for their vibrant colors and creative designs that add artful flair. Beyond their eye-catching products, Glassybaby has a compelling backstory rooted in supporting charitable causes. Overall, Glassybaby offers distinctive glass candleholders and votives that uplift people’s spirits while giving back to the community.

History

glassybaby was founded in 1998 by Lee Rhodes in Seattle, Washington. According to DEF 14A, Rhodes started the company out of her garage after recovering from lung cancer. She wanted to give back and help cancer patients by donating a portion of the proceeds.

Initially, Rhodes made the votive candle holders by hand and sold them locally. As demand grew, the company expanded into a studio space and began hiring more glassblowers and artists. Over the years, glassybaby opened retail stores across the country while maintaining headquarters and production in Seattle.

Founder’s Story

The story of glassybaby starts with its founder, Lee Rhodes. After losing her job at Microsoft in 1998, Lee was diagnosed with lung cancer the following year at just 30 years old. While undergoing intensive treatment, Lee found inspiration in glass blowing, which she saw as a creative outlet during a difficult time. Though Lee had no formal training in glass blowing, she began experimenting with it as a way to find beauty and meaning while confronting her health challenges.

In 2001, after completing cancer treatment, Lee made her first glass votives, which she called her “glassybabies.” She gave them as gifts to friends and family who had supported her during her illness. The hand-blown votives were a symbol of Lee’s renewed hope, and the people who received them cherished their meaning. As word spread, Lee started selling her glassybabies to help cover her growing medical bills.

The positive response was so great that Lee decided to turn her passion into a business. She opened the first retail glassybaby store in Seattle in 2003, and began hiring local artists to keep up with demand. With Lee’s vision of giving back built into the company’s ethos, glassybaby started donating to cancer support charities from its very first year in business.

Lee’s inspiring story of turning personal hardship into uplifting art that gives back has been key to glassybaby’s appeal. Customers connect with the heart and meaning behind each unique blown-glass creation. And the company stays true to Lee’s spirit by donating to charities supporting people impacted by cancer.

Product Details

Glassybaby products include hand-blown glass votives, drinkers, and other home décor items. Their most popular product is the signature glassybaby votive, a colorful hand-blown glass votive candle holder. These are made from borosilicate glass and come in various colors like emerald, sapphire, and amber (Glassybaby – Godmother).

There are several product lines of glass votives, including the glassybaby line featuring solid colors, the perfectly imperfect line with streaks and swirls, and the dichroic line with special finishes. Sizes range from the classic 3.5 inch tall glassybaby votive to the mini and giant votives.

Other products include the glassybaby drinker series of hand-blown glasses for drinking beverages and the glassyrock rocking glass candle holder. Glassybaby also offers gift sets and other home decor accessories featuring their signature hand-blown glass (Glassybaby FAQ).

Production Process

glassybaby is known for their unique handmade glass votive candle holders, which go through an intricate production process from start to finish. Each glassybaby piece is handmade in their Seattle factory by a team of skilled glass artists. According to an inside look at the glassybaby production process, the glass used for the votives starts off as giant rods and chunks of colored glass. The glass is heated to 2,150°F in furnaces, making it soft and malleable for shaping.

The artists attach a glob of the molten glass to their blowpipes and begin to shape the glass by blowing into the pipes while twisting and turning. Air pressure and centrifugal force shape the glass into its recognizable shape. Decorations, curlicues, and color variations are added by rolling molten glass in colored powder or melting rods of colored glass onto the piece. The glass is returned to the furnace periodically to re-heat and keep it malleable as the artists work.

Once complete, the glass votives are slowly cooled in a process called “annealing,” which gives the glass its signature smooth finish. The handmade quality results in slight variations in each piece, making every glassybaby unique. Each piece goes through careful quality inspections before being packaged and shipped out to retail locations and customers. The specialized handmade production allows glassybaby to create beautiful one-of-a-kind votives with artistic flair in their Seattle studio.

Sources:

Behind the Scenes: Glassybaby Video Clip

HOME SWEET HOME Glassybaby Hand Blown Glass …

Charitable Efforts

glassybaby is known for their extensive charitable efforts and community programs. The company donates 10% of all net proceeds to charities fighting cancer. Over $10 million has been donated since glassybaby was founded in 2001 [1].

The glassybaby White Light Fund provides direct financial assistance to members of the glassybaby community who are battling cancer. The company also supports charities through its Community Giveback Program where a portion of proceeds from color collections are donated to specific causes [2].

In addition to financial donations, glassybaby volunteers actively support cancer patients by delivering meals and gifts. The company aims to build community and spread hope through their products and mission [3].

Store Locations

There are ten glassybaby retail stores located across the United States, with most stores situated on the West Coast. The flagship store is located in downtown Seattle on 7th Ave [1]. Other Washington stores can be found in Bellevue [2] and Tacoma. In California, there are glassybaby stores in San Francisco, Berkeley, Palo Alto, and Costa Mesa. The remaining stores are located in Portsmouth, New Hampshire, Charleston, South Carolina, and Madison, Wisconsin.

The retail stores allow customers to see the glass votives in person and experience the brand. The stores exhibit the full glassybaby product line and color palette. Shoppers can find exclusive glassybaby pieces not available online at the retail stores. Fans of the brand visit the iconic Seattle location as part of their trip to the city.

Awards & Recognition

glassybaby has received numerous awards and recognition over the years for its unique handmade glass votives and commitment to giving back. In 2021, glassybaby founder Lee Rhodes was awarded Puget Sound Business Journal’s 2021 Women of Influence Award. According to the glassybaby website, Rhodes was recognized for “using her business as a force for good in our community.”

glassybaby votives have also been featured in major media outlets like Oprah Magazine, Real Simple, InStyle, and more for their high quality craftsmanship and inspiring charitable mission. The company’s stylish, handmade products and focus on community service have earned them many loyal fans and customers over the years. As noted on their Facebook page, organizations like Camp Agape Northwest actively nominate glassybaby for community service grants and awards due to their positive social impact.

Why Customers Love It

Customers rave about glassybaby’s unique, handmade designs and high quality:

“I love glassybaby votives! They are works of art that also provide beautiful ambiance.” (Customer review on Amazon.com)

Reviewers on Amazon emphasize the candles’ ability to elevate any space:

“These candleholders are little works of art! They make simple votive candles look absolutely beautiful. I have them all around my house.” (Customer review on Amazon.com)

Customers appreciate the story and mission behind the brand:

“I love everything about glassybaby. The mission, the candles, the designs, the entire brand. It’s a pleasure to support them.” (Customer review on Glassybaby.com)

Many reviewers highlight the candles as perfect gifts:

“Glassybaby candles make such a special and meaningful gift. The recipients absolutely love them!” (Customer review on Amazon.com)

Conclusion

In conclusion, glassybaby votives are each handcrafted and signed by American glassblowers in their Seattle studio. Their mission to donate to charities and empower people sets them apart. The whimsical glass art is made in small batches using recycled materials, resulting in one-of-a-kind pieces that feel special. glassybaby’s warmth and generosity reflect in their products and business model, making them truly unique. While the votives may seem delicate, each one has its own resilient spirit and iconic style. There’s a reason customers love and collect these little votives—they are infused with inspiration, meaning, and beauty unlike any other candleholders.