Every glass piece in our lights hangs on its own pin, one by one.
There is a moment, just after a glass light is switched on, when the room changes colour. Amber warms the walls, green turns the air fresh, pink makes the evening softer. That moment is why we make lights from glass.
In the workshops of mid-century Italy, designers discovered that glass did not have to hide a bulb: it could become the light itself. Thick ribbons, pressed discs and curved shells of coloured glass were hung on simple metal frames, and each piece caught the light in its own way. Our new collection of handcrafted glass lighting continues that idea, with one detail we are especially proud of: every piece of glass hangs on its own. In this guide we explain what makes handcrafted glass special, why hanging each piece individually matters, and how to choose between four of our lights: Lido, Soffione, Nastro and Conca.
The short version
- Handcrafted glass has texture, depth and tiny variations that machine-made shades cannot copy.
- In our glass lights, each glass piece hangs individually on the frame: easier to install, clean and look after.
- If a piece is ever damaged, you replace one piece, not the whole light.
- Glass ages beautifully: it does not yellow like plastic or fade and fray like fabric.
- Choose the glass colour by mood: clear and amber for the warmest and brightest glow, green, pink, tea or black for a more decorative light.
What makes handcrafted glass special
A glass shade made by machine is perfectly even: the same thickness, the same colour, the same surface everywhere. Handcrafted glass is different, and those differences are exactly what make it beautiful when light passes through.
Those small variations are not flaws. They are the signature of glass shaped with care, and they are what makes a glass light feel alive rather than manufactured.
Why choose handcrafted glass
Fabric, paper, acrylic and metal all make good lamp shades. But when you want a light that looks beautiful for decades and makes a room glow, handcrafted glass has advantages that are hard to match.
- A softer, richer lightTexture and thickness diffuse the glare of the bulb and break the light into gentle highlights, so the room glows rather than shines.
- Ages beautifullyGlass does not yellow, sag or fray with time the way plastic and fabric can. Looked after, it looks as good in twenty years as it does today.
- Comfortable with heatGlass sits happily close to a light source, which is why it has been used around bulbs and flames for centuries.
- Easy to keep cleanA smooth, non-porous surface does not trap dust like fabric. A soft cloth is all it needs, and each piece can be lifted off to clean.
- Truly one of a kindTiny bubbles, ripples and shifts in colour mean no two pieces are the same, so your light is as individual as your home.
- A material that lastsGlass is endlessly recyclable, and a well-made glass light is something you keep, move house with and pass on, not replace.
Hung piece by piece
Every piece of glass hangs on its own
In our glass lights, the glass is not glued, sealed or moulded into one fixed shade. Each disc, ribbon or shell has its own mounting hole and hangs on its own pin or hook on the metal frame. It is the same way the great glass chandeliers of the past were built, and it has very practical benefits at home.
- Easier installationThe frame goes up first; the glass is added afterwards, piece by piece, so nothing heavy and fragile has to be lifted at once.
- Easier cleaningLift off a piece, clean it gently and hang it back. No need to dust around a fixed, closed shade.
- Easy to replaceIf a piece is ever chipped, you replace that one piece, not the whole light.
- Light that movesBecause each piece hangs freely, it settles at its own angle, which gives the glass its layered, natural look.
How the glass goes on
Every light comes with its own instructions, but the principle is the same across the collection:
- Install the frame first. A qualified electrician fixes the canopy or wall plate and connects the light, before any glass is added.
- Unpack the glass on a soft surface. Lay the pieces out on a towel or blanket, grouped by size where there are different sizes.
- Hang each piece on its pin or hook. Work in the order shown in the guide, usually from the top or the centre outwards, so the pieces sit evenly.
- Fit the bulbs and switch on. Warm white LED bulbs of 2700–3000K bring out the colour of the glass and stay cool to the touch.
Four handcrafted glass lights
Four lights from our new collection, each built from individually hung glass, each with its own character.
Lido Textured Glass Chandelier
Curved textured glass, cascading in tiers
Named after the sunlit beaches of the Venetian Lido, this chandelier cascades in tiers of curved, textured glass that catches the light like water. Each piece hangs on its own, so the glass falls in a soft, layered waterfall and the light ripples across the room like sun on the sea.
View the Lido
Soffione Glass Disc Sphere Chandelier
Pressed glass discs, pink or green, gold frame
A dandelion clock in glass. Slender gold rods radiate from a central core, each tipped with a pressed glass disc patterned like a tiny parasol. Two sizes of disc layer into a full, airy sphere that sparkles in soft pink or fresh green.
Nastro Textured Glass Ceiling Light
Ribbons of textured glass, layered in tiers
Thick ribbons of textured glass, each gently waved, stand side by side in rings and layer into tiers close to the ceiling. When the light is on, it scatters a soft, water-like pattern across the ceiling: the sparkle of a chandelier, without hanging low.
Conca Glass Disc Wall Sconce
13 curved glass discs in three tiers
Thirteen curved discs of hammered glass, each cupped like a shell, hang in three tiers on a metal frame. The glass glows a warm tea-amber or a smoky black, and the sconce looks its best as a pair, either side of a bed, mirror or fireplace.
Which one is right for you?
Choosing a glass colour
The colour of the glass sets the mood of the whole room, so it is worth choosing with care.
If the glass will be your main light, choose clear or amber. For a bedroom, a hallway or an accent light, the deeper colours create the most atmosphere. Looking for another shade? We can make our glass lights in other colours on request: just contact us.
Caring for glass lighting
- Switch off and let the bulbs cool before touching the glass.
- Dust regularly with a soft brush or dry microfibre cloth, supporting each piece with your other hand.
- For a deeper clean, lift a piece off its pin, wipe it with a lightly damp cloth, dry it completely and hang it back.
- Avoid abrasive cleaners and sprays, which can dull textured and pressed glass.
- Work one piece at a time, so every piece goes back in its place.
Questions, answered
Why are the glass pieces hung individually?
Hanging each piece on its own pin makes the light easier to install, clean and look after. The frame goes up first and the glass is added afterwards, and if a piece is ever damaged, only that piece needs replacing.
Is glass better than an acrylic or fabric shade?
Each has its place, but glass gives a more sparkling, textured light, does not yellow with age like many plastics, and does not collect dust or fray like fabric. A well-made glass light is built to last for decades.
Will my glass look exactly like the photos?
Very close, but not identical. Handcrafted glass has small variations in texture, tiny bubbles and depth of colour from piece to piece. They are part of its character, not defects.
Can I replace a single glass piece?
Yes. Because every piece hangs on its own, a single piece can be replaced. Please contact us with your order details and a photo.
Is it difficult to hang the glass?
No. Once the frame is installed, each piece simply hangs on its pin or hook. Follow the order in the instructions so the pieces sit evenly, and work on a soft surface while unpacking.
Which glass colour gives the most light?
Clear glass lets the most light through, followed by amber. Tea, green, pink and black are deeper and more decorative, ideal for bedrooms, hallways and evening spaces.
Which bulbs work best with coloured glass?
Warm white LED bulbs of 2700–3000K. They bring out the colour of the glass beautifully and stay cool to the touch.
How do I clean glass lighting?
Switch off and let the bulbs cool, then dust each piece with a soft brush or dry microfibre cloth. For a deeper clean, lift a piece off, wipe it with a lightly damp cloth, dry it fully and hang it back.
Light, shaped in glass
Explore our new collection of handcrafted glass lighting, where every piece of glass is hung by hand and every light glows a little differently.
Explore the new collection
