Questions About Joy of Glass, Fused Glass Art & Jewelry
Every Joy of Glass piece begins with curiosity: What happens if these colors meet? How will the glass change in the kiln? What happens when glass, metal, light, and texture come together?
Merrilee Harrigan creates one-of-a-kind fused glass art and jewelry by hand in her Washington, DC studio. Her work combines experimentation, color, texture, light, and unexpected materials to create pieces that are meant to be enjoyed, worn, displayed, and discovered over time.
Have a question? You may find the answer below.
Your Questions Answered!FAQs
About Joy of Glass
Who is the artist behind Joy of Glass?
Joy of Glass was founded by artist Merrilee Harrigan, whose work centers on fused glass, glass jewelry, and silversmithing.
Merrilee is drawn to the unexpected beauty and transformative qualities of glass. Her approach is highly experimental—she explores what happens when different colors, materials, textures, and techniques interact with one another.
Her work is handcrafted in her Washington, DC studio, where experimentation and curiosity are an important part of the creative process.
Where is Joy of Glass located?
Joy of Glass is based in Washington, DC, in the Chevy Chase area.
The studio is where Merrilee creates her fused glass artwork and jewelry and where in-person glass workshops are held.
Is Joy of Glass a handmade business?
Yes. Joy of Glass pieces are handcrafted by Merrilee in her studio.
Because the work is made individually rather than mass-produced, no two pieces are exactly alike. Variations in color, texture, pattern, and the way the glass responds during firing are part of what makes each piece unique.
About the Glass
What is fused glass?
Fused glass is a process in which individual pieces or elements of glass are assembled and then heated in a kiln until they fuse together.
Unlike glass blowing, which involves shaping molten glass, fused glass allows the artist to work with glass while it is cool—cutting, layering, arranging, and combining pieces before firing.
The kiln is an important part of the artistic process. Heat transforms the assembled materials and can change their shape, texture, color, and relationship to one another.
Is fused glass the same as blown glass?
No.
Fused glass and glass blowing are two different glassmaking processes.
In glass blowing, an artist works with molten glass and shapes it while it is extremely hot. In fused glass, the artist assembles pieces of glass and then uses a kiln to fuse them together.
Joy of Glass specializes in fused glass art and jewelry.
What makes fused glass interesting?
One of the wonderful things about fused glass is that the finished piece isn't always completely predictable.
Glass can change as it is fired. Colors can interact, layers can become translucent or opaque, textures can soften or transform, and different materials can create unexpected effects.
For Merrilee, that transformation is part of the appeal. Her work often explores the illusion that the glass is continuing to change and move.
What is dichroic glass?
Dichroic glass is a type of specialty glass known for its brilliant, shifting colors and reflective qualities.
Depending on the angle of the light, dichroic glass can appear to change color or intensity. It can create particularly luminous effects in fused glass jewelry and artwork.
What is iridescent glass?
Iridescent glass has a luminous, sometimes rainbow-like surface that changes as light moves across it.
Merrilee incorporates iridescent glass into both jewelry and workshop projects, where it can add another layer of color and light to a design.
What is glass frit?
Frit is finely crushed or granulated glass.
It can be used to add color, texture, pattern, and detail to fused glass artwork. Frit comes in different sizes and colors and can be layered or combined with larger pieces of glass.
About the artwork
What kinds of glass art does Joy of Glass make?
The collection includes a variety of one-of-a-kind fused glass artwork, including wall art, plates, bowls, sculptural pieces, and other glass forms.
The work often draws on organic shapes, landscapes, movement, nature, color, and abstract forms.
Are Joy of Glass pieces one-of-a-kind?
Yes. The work is handcrafted and individually designed, so no two pieces are exactly alike.
Even when Merrilee explores a recurring idea or series, the nature of fused glass means that each piece develops its own combination of color, texture, pattern, and movement.
How does Merrilee come up with her designs?
Curiosity and experimentation are central to the process.
Merrilee explores combinations of color, texture, materials, and techniques and is particularly interested in the ways glass can appear to move or transform.
Some pieces incorporate unexpected materials or techniques, including silver dust, metallic elements, and high-temperature melts that create organic flows.
Does Merrilee make custom artwork?
For custom artwork, please contact Joy of Glass to discuss your idea, the desired size, colors, materials, and intended setting.
Because each piece is individually handcrafted, custom work is considered on a case-by-case basis.
Can I commission a piece of glass art as a gift?
A one-of-a-kind piece of fused glass can make a meaningful gift for someone who appreciates handmade art, color, and distinctive design.
Contact Joy of Glass if you have a particular recipient or occasion in mind and would like help finding a piece.
About joy of glass jewelry
How is Joy of Glass jewelry made?
Joy of Glass jewelry begins with individually created pieces of fused glass.
Merrilee experiments with color, texture, layering, dichroic and iridescent glass, metallic elements, and other materials to create distinctive glass components. These are then finished as pendants, earrings, rings, bracelets, brooches, and other jewelry pieces.
Some pieces incorporate silver or other metal settings as part of the design.
Is the jewelry handmade?
Yes. Joy of Glass jewelry is handcrafted by Merrilee in her Washington, DC studio.
The glass components are created individually, and the finished jewelry is assembled and finished by hand.
What metals are used in Joy of Glass jewelry?
The jewelry collection may incorporate materials including sterling silver, Argentium sterling silver, silver-plated settings, brass, and other metal components, depending on the individual piece.
The materials used for each item are listed in its product description.
What is Argentium sterling silver?
Argentium is a type of sterling silver known for its increased tarnish resistance compared with traditional sterling silver.
When an individual Joy of Glass piece uses Argentium sterling silver, the product description will identify it.
why does every piece look a little different?
That's part of the beauty of handmade fused glass.
Glass responds to heat and to the materials around it, so even when Merrilee is working with a particular color combination or design idea, the final result can have subtle differences in pattern, transparency, texture, and color.
Those differences aren't imperfections—they are part of the character of handmade glass.
buying glass art & jewelry
Where can I buy Joy of Glass artwork?
One-of-a-kind glass artwork and jewelry are available through the Joy of Glass online shop when pieces are available.
Merrilee also participates in selected art fairs, craft shows, and other events throughout the year, where customers can see her work in person.
Why are Joy of Glass pieces different from mass-produced glass?
Each piece is individually made by an artist rather than manufactured from a standardized design.
The process involves experimentation, hand assembly, kiln firing, and—depending on the piece—additional finishing or metalwork.
When you purchase Joy of Glass, you're purchasing an original piece of artwork made in a small independent studio.
Will my piece look exactly like the photograph?
The piece you receive will be the actual piece pictured whenever the product is a one-of-a-kind work.
Because photography, lighting, and screens can affect the appearance of color, there may be slight differences between what you see on your screen and the physical piece.
Why do some pieces cost more than others?
Pricing reflects factors such as the size of the piece, materials, complexity of the design, number of kiln firings, metalwork, finishing, and the time involved in creating the artwork.
Each piece is made individually, so the price reflects the work involved in creating that particular piece.
Do you sell gift certificates?
Yes. Joy of Glass offers gift certificates for glass workshops.
For gifts of artwork or jewelry, you can also contact Joy of Glass if you'd like help selecting a piece.
caring for your glass art & jewelry
How should I care for my fused glass artwork?
In general, handle handmade glass artwork with care and avoid dropping, striking, or placing heavy objects on it.
Specific care recommendations may vary depending on whether the piece is wall art, a plate, bowl, jewelry, or another type of glasswork.
Can I put Joy of Glass plates and bowls in the dishwasher?
Please check the care instructions provided with your specific piece before placing handmade fused glass in a dishwasher, oven, microwave, or other appliance.
If you're unsure about a particular piece, contact Joy of Glass before using it in this way.
How should I care for my glass jewelry?
Store handmade glass jewelry where it won't be knocked against hard surfaces or other jewelry.
Avoid exposing jewelry to harsh chemicals, and follow the care instructions provided with your individual piece.
If your piece includes silver, occasional polishing may be appropriate depending on the type of silver used.
shipping, returns & exchanges
do you ship glass art?
Yes. Joy of Glass ships artwork and jewelry [to following locations]. Because artwork can vary significantly in size and weight, shipping arrangements may vary by piece.
See Shipping & Returns for complete shipping, pickup, and return information.
do you offer local pickup in washington, dc?
Yes. Local pickup may be arranged after purchase. Submit a pickup request through the contact form and wait for confirmation before coming to the studio.
Learn more about Local Pickup.
can i return a one-of-a-kind glass artwork?
Joy of Glass artwork is individually handcrafted and one of a kind, so artwork sales are considered final. Please review the product photographs, dimensions, materials, and description carefully before purchasing.
See the full Shipping & Returns policy.
what happens if my artwork arrives damaged?
Please contact Joy of Glass as soon as possible and retain the artwork, original packaging, and shipping materials. Photographs of the damage and packaging may be requested.
See the Damages & Faulty Goods policy for the complete process.