I always get excited when I receive custom orders for production fused glass pieces—especially when it’s for something both functional and beautiful, like these soap dishes. This recent order came from a charming boutique hotel in California that wanted a set of sky-blue soap dishes to add a personalized touch to their guest rooms. I’ve made these dishes several times over the years, and while they’re a single color, the glass itself is a stunning shade of blue that instantly evokes calm, open skies. Each dish is carefully crafted for both beauty and durability—I hand-cut two pieces of glass for every one: a clear base and a vibrant blue top. This layering not only adds strength but also gives the finished piece a gorgeous depth once it’s been full fused in the kiln. Below, you can see them before firing and after—the transformation is subtle but so satisfying. There’s something special about creating pieces that will be seen and used by so many people during their travels!
Here they are after the slump firing! Slumping is the process where the fused glass is heated just enough to soften and gently “slump” into a mold, giving each soap dish its final shape. It’s always exciting to open the kiln and see how the flat, fused pieces have taken on smooth, functional curves—turning simple sheets of glass into beautiful, usable art. These dishes now have just the right shape to cradle a bar of soap, adding a touch of handmade elegance to each guest’s stay.
One thing many people don’t realize is how much hands-on care goes into each piece—even after the kiln work is done. After every firing, I carefully hand wash and dry each piece of glass. That means every soap dish gets washed as a single layer before full fusing, again after it’s been fused, and once more after slumping. It’s a labor of love that ensures each dish is spotless and ready for its new home. Below are some of my favorite shots—fresh from the studio, fully cleaned, and glowing with that beautiful sky-blue finish.
Here they are—all the beautiful, fused glass blue soap dishes, freshly cleaned and ready to be packed up for their journey to California. I always love seeing them stacked together like this; there’s something so satisfying about the uniformity and the soft glow of that sky-blue glass.
As a little thank-you, I love including a free gift with each order. For this one, I added a beautiful blue and ivory dish, the same size as my popular blue dish. It’s perfect for candles, candy, or even business cards—a versatile piece that adds a special touch to any space. Thoughtful details like these make every order feel personal, and that’s truly one of my favorite parts of creating custom work.
Creating custom fused glass pieces like these soap dishes is one of the most rewarding parts of what I do. Knowing that my work adds a handmade, artistic touch to everyday moments—whether it’s in a hotel bathroom or a guest’s welcome treat—makes the process all the more meaningful. Each piece is crafted with care, fired with precision, and finished with love. I’m so grateful to work with clients who value the beauty of handcrafted glass, and I can’t wait to see where the next custom order takes me!
If you would like to see more of my fused glass work, please refer to my website Elegant Fused Glass by Karen. If you get a chance, check out all my sites and my Elegant Fused Glass by Karen YouTube. If you would like to stay abreast of what I’m up-to and learn a little more about jewelry, check out our newsletter. It is published the last day of each month
Keeping my kiln warm,
Karen
