Who exactly is Blue Planet Glass?

Blue Planet Glass is the name of my glass studio located in the Pacific Northwest in a small town called La Center, Washington, USA, located 25 miles north of Portland, Oregon.
I am a glass artist who creates kiln-fired glass projects and I manipulate hot glass in my studio kiln. I love to make glass do strange and unusual things, continually pushing its limits. My passion is making bowls - lots of bowls and a wide variety of bowls in different shapes, textures, sizes, colors and finishes using 24k gold, silver and copper embedded into the glass. They are beautiful and I’m not bashful to say that.

Besides my own work, I also market genuine Murano Glass products handmade on the Island of Murano, Italy since 1291. The pieces we carry are very special and unique. Please read about Murano Glass.

What is Murano Glass - and why does Blue Planet Glass sell it?

Blue Planet Glass has established relationships with manufacturing companies on the Island of Murano, Italy who manufacture and directly supply to us quality Murano-produced products by their island artisans. No middle distributors. We promise that if we say it is a “Murano” it IS guaranteed genuine from Murano. We take this very seriously. And honestly speaking, genuine Murano products are not cheap glass.
A history fact - In 1291, Venice leaders thought the city would burn down because there were so many glass producing furnaces, so the leaders of Venice created a law to exile all the glass producers over to the Island of Murano, located just a boat ride across the Venice lagoon.
Murano continues to produce the world's finest and most beautiful handmade glass products known. Family Maestro’s have existed in experience for generations. DON’T BE FOOLED BY FAKES. If it says “Murano”, legally it has to be made on Murano and unfortunately there are endless fakes on Ebay and various websites that say “Murano” or "Venetian” but are NOT. If you buy a true Murano, you are assured that you have purchased the finest quality. Again, don’t be fooled by fakes.

Why don’t Murano Glass Necklace Pendants come with a chain?

Chains are personal and come in many varieties and sizes. Most people already have their own chains. WE DO however, supply a jump ‘Ring’ that comes attached through the hole of the Pendant (shown in the item’s photo), ready for your chain to slip through. You can also use cording instead of a chain.

The Materials we use

The glass product I use is soda-ash glass, and is produced in the USA. It is a type of glass made primarily from silica, soda (sodium carbonate), and lime (calcium oxide). The production of soda ash glass involves melting the raw materials at high temperatures, up to 3,090 °F forming molten liquid glass which is then shaped and cooled into a solid sheet product. Glass is produced in many forms such as sheet glass, powders and frits (broken glass), stringers, ribbons, flakes, glass cane and murrine. My manipulation of these basic elements is really the form of my glass artistry. Add to this 24k gold and silver, copper, rich and vibrant colors and various techniques to produce chemical reactions within the glass produce spectacular and stunning results.
As I say, "A symphony of explosive glass color."

Bubbles, Bumps and Betters…

Glass has a mind of its own. The first rule is that there are no rules. Bubbles are extremely normal and considered part of the glass artistry. Small bubbles are called “seeds” and often appear due to off-gassing during the heating processes. Bumps are normal and I call them all - “betters” because they add to the flavor and symphony of my glass expression. In fact, many artists try to create bubbles large and small. So if your piece has bubbles - consider yourself lucky!

Why do I sign and number each piece of my work?

My glass artistry is important to me. My projects feel personal with my time, effort and skill. Artisans often sign their work to authenticate it, establish their identity as an artist, and to enhance its value. Every artist hopes that the work they are creating is unique, appreciated and valued. You surely will too.

Gallery and Wholesale Accounts

We are pleased to establish commercial and gallery accounts that will showcase our beautiful creations to your guests. Give us a call to discuss your needs and see if we can assist each other.

Shipping Information

We are pleased to offer Free Shipping via UPS Ground Service or USPS Priority Mail as our Carrier of choice - a simple way to say thank you and help you save on shipping. This offer is available for shipments within the 48 contiguous United States.
Your package will be sent as soon as possible, usually within a day or two depending on inventory. Blue Planet Glass contracts with SHIPPO - a global shipping provider of eCommerce solutions. When you package ships, the tracking information will be emailed to you. Tracking numbers are provided for both UPS and USPS.

Local Pick Up - We are pleased to also offer local pick up for our clientele. We do not release orders to anyone other than the buyer, except by arrangement. Please note that for local pick up, an appointment must be scheduled. Please call, text or email to arrange a time.

Shipping Schedule - Most orders will be sent out normally within one or two business days from receipt of order. However there are moments when our production schedule is slightly delayed, at which time you will be immediately notified. Blue Planet Glass will use its best effort to ship as scheduled, but delivery dates are approximate only due to production demands. We appreciate your patience. Blue Planet Glass shall not be liable to Buyer for any damages that Buyer may claim due to late delivery.

Air Transport - Special needs for air transport can easily be accommodated. Please contact us immediately when your order is placed so we can take care of your need. An invoice can be prepared and emailed to you for the difference in shipping cost.

Gallery and Wholesale Accounts - Gallery, Wholesale accounts and non-qualified items are excluded, and the free shipping offer can’t be combined with other discounts or promotions. Shipping shall be F.O.B. La Center, Washington, except as otherwise noted on your invoice. We are happy to work with you on your shipping needs.

Parcel Insurance - Because we deliver to our shipping Carrier a perfect box for delivery, we cannot guarantee a perfect delivery by them, and obviously neither can you. We do insure each parcel for its full value at no extra cost to you for Carrier Lost or Damaged Deliveries.

Lost Packages - Blue Planet Glass will not be responsible for lost or stolen packages/deliveries. We deliver it to the Carrier in perfect condition and a Carrier tracking number is generated and emailed to you. If the Carrier looses your package, we can assist you (if needed) in making a claim. It is your responsibility to file a Carrier Claim because the potential problem happened at the receiver’s end.
A lost package is one in which the Carrier has not yet delivered to you. Blue Planet Glass cannot be responsible for Customer or Carrier errors and/or wrong address deliveries. Your “Ship To” address is the same address in which you entered at the time of Check Out. We do not change your address in any way. If your package does not arrive, please contact the Carrier and file a claim with your tracking number.

Stolen Packages - If the Carrier reports they delivered your package to you, then we have to assume they did. Blue Planet Glass will assume no liability for remedy of a stolen package, which can include delivery to a wrong address. If your package gets stolen, we will buy you a shotgun to keep near your porch. (that’s a joke) :(

Damaged Deliveries - If you find that your parcel or contents has been damaged - file a Carrier Claim immediately. Blue Planet Glass will assume no liability for remedy of a damaged package or its contents. Remember, it is insured.

Special Orders

We understand that you may require a piece we are not stocking. Special Orders are common. Contact us via email or phone and make your request. I promise a delightful conversation. Often you see something you like on the website but with changes, such as color, size or texture. A price and production date will be agreed upon with payment and shipping to follow. All special orders should be paid in advance because they are yours. Special order items cannot be canceled or returned because they are customized just for you.

Refunds and Cancellations

All sales are final and cannot be returned. All sales are subject to the terms and conditions noted on this website and/or additionally noted on your Blue Planet Glass invoice/sales receipt or sales agreement. If there is a problem with your order, please discuss it with us as soon as possible.

Your Privacy

We value your privacy very much. When you do business with Blue Planet Glass, we will not sell or share your information with other companies for marketing purposes. We understand how important this is.

Is my glass bowl microwave safe?

No, but with some exceptions. Some of our glass has 24k gold, silver and coppers infused into the glass. These metals obviously would not be appropriate for the microwave. However, several of our creations have no metal in the glass and would work fine. It would be best to reach out to us and ask specifically about your purchase.

Is my glass bowl food safe?

All but one of our bowls is food safe. Any bowl with a French Vanilla or clear glass interior IS food safe. The only bowl on our list that is NOT food safe is the “Florence” Bowl. If there is still any question please reach out to us and ask. You can call, text or email. Thank you.