How to make money out of stained glass?

Stained Glass windows are not just exclusive to churches and places of worship, quite the contrary. Many houses of a certain age have stained glass window features, with a high percentage incorporating hand painted roundels.

The principle of stained glass roundels (or suncatchers) dates back hundreds of years, when they were featured within intricate stained glass windows, usually depicting a hand painted scene or interesting subject of the respective time. With more and more houses opting for UPVC double glazing, traditional stained glass windows are slowly becoming less common, restricted to restoration projects where it is a necessity of the planning regulations to use ‘traditional’ materials and techniques common to the age of the original dwelling.

For people who know where to look, there is a tidy sum to be made from cheaply buying these windows and selling them on, sometimes at a huge profit. For example, I recently paid £200 for a couple of stained glass windows, purchased from a local builder. They weren’t in the best condition but they had two lovely roundels - one of Beethoven the other of Mozart, in perfect condition. Two weeks later I sold them on eBay for £1300, and no doubt whoever bought them will sell them at a profit. Not bad for doing very little.

People in the building trade are in a prime position to capitalise on these rich pickings – contractors, architects, renovators, carpenters – they will all have access to buildings with stained glass windows, buildings which are either in a state of disrepair, or even better being demolished.

Having a network of trade contacts is essential, and they will probably be happy to get some money for nothing and for you to take the stained glass windows off their hands. Once this network is established, you will be able to sell these windows, either complete or in part on eBay, to specialist reclaimers, stained glass studio’s, etc or even your own website.

Stained Glass roundels – a new approach

A company based in North Wales (The Roundel Company) has responded to a demand for reproduction stained glass and developed the ‘roundel’ concept to a whole new level, producing a multitude of colourful original paintings to display on kiln fired stained glass suncatchers. All gifts are produced in limited production volumes, which ensure their exclusivity and value as future collector’s items. Using the chain and sucker provided you can hang the suncatcher on any window, including bathroom, kitchen and living room windows; anywhere the sun is able to shine and light up the unique and colourful image for all to see.

As with all traditional stained glass windows, the roundels are best viewed in natural daylight from the interior side of an exterior window looking out.

The Production Process

The images used on the products are produced from original paintings commissioned by The Roundel Company, which are used as the template. These images are then reproduced in Italy, using a process which ensures the quality and longevity of the finished item once fired.

The images are fired onto the glass at extreme temperatures using a kiln. This process ensures that the colours will last forever, even in direct sunlight. The firing process also adds depth and texture to the image.

The product is then finished in house, adding a traditional lead border and a metal chain. Once the roundel has passed our quality control checklist, it is boxed with the window sucker and certificate of authentication prior to dispatch.

The Roundel Company’s gifts are ideal for birthdays, anniversaries and christenings and feature original paintings of wildlife, famous people of our time, national symbols and zodiac signs.

If you can’t find original stained glass windows, I guess they’re the next best thing.

Please visit The Roundel Company to view their exclusive range of stained glass gifts at www.theroundelcompany.com