Confessions of a Glass Addict (and where I get my fix)

If there were a 12-step program for glass collectors (because "hoarder" sounds too judgmental!), I might need to sign up. There's just something irresistible about a vibrantly colored sheet of glass calling my name. This issue, I'm sharing where I find my favorite materials — and why my students secretly benefit from my problem.

My Local Dealer

I can't say enough good things about Big M Glass in Tacoma. There's always a great variety of colors, brands, and types of glass, and it's fairly priced. Plus, the owner, Hojin, is incredibly helpful. Recently, I was trying to find a color of glass to match a paint chip — if you know, you know, glass doesn't really work that way! But Hojin took me straight to a stunning piece of Bullseye glass that matched beautifully. Thousands of sheets of glass in his shop, and he matched it from memory. (I bought a full sheet — not that I have a problem or anything!)

For an Online Fix

When it comes to online shopping, I'm not nearly as loyal as I am to my local source. Instead, I hunt for value and sales — it helps me keep class pricing down. For sheet glass, my go-tos for good pricing and frequent sales are Anything in Stained Glass and Delphi Glass. For glass tiles, my favorite suppliers are Mosaic Trader USA and Kismet Mosaics (woman-owned and excellent service).

Road Trip!

For a real treat, grab a friend and head to Bullseye Glass in Portland. The glass itself is a joy to work with — super saturated colors and beautifully consistent quality. They hold half-price glass sales every February and August that are absolutely worth the trip, and they also offer bulk order discounts and year-round beneficial pricing for larger orders. Even between sales, if you're buying in quantity, it pays to ask.

Miscellaneous Finds and Serendipitous Scores

If you're not in a rush, check Craigslist or Facebook Marketplace — people often de-stash or sell scrap glass by the pound, and it can be a treasure hunt. If you're headed to Victoria, B.C., stop by Victorian Art Glass for great deals, a bit of glass history from the owner Dennis, and the bonus of a favorable exchange rate. Their Oceanside Rack Packs (80 square feet of mixed 96 COE glass) are an excellent buy, perfect for sharing or reselling to offset your cost. Delphi Glass in Lansing, MI, carries the same packs — also a good deal if you can pick them up in person.

And never underestimate the power of word of mouth! I recently ended up with a whole bunch of beautiful glass when a friend's hairdresser mentioned her late mother-in-law's glass collection. The hairdresser didn't know me at all, but somehow the glass found its way to me. Sometimes the best supplies come from the most unexpected places.

A Note for My Students

You benefit from this obsession more than you know. When I source quality glass at good prices, it flows directly into my classes. The colors you fall in love with at the mosaic table? There's a good chance they came from one of these places. Consider this your field guide for when you're ready to start your own addiction....I mean collection.

Final Thoughts

These are just my personal favorites — there are so many wonderful glass sources out there, each with their own hidden gems. And really, if you're going to have an addiction, this one's pretty easy to justify. It's colorful, creative, and (mostly) harmless… unless you count running out of storage space!