Many people admire stained glass and wish that they could make it for themselves. If you’re one of them, then Quiet Cove Stained Glass is worth a visit. Nancy Max, the shop’s owner, offers classes, one-on-one, by request at her store, in Robley, in the Northern Neck.
And if you’re not up for making a piece, Nancy can create a special piece for you.
In fact, classes are how Nancy got into stained glass. She, too, wanted to learn. In 1998 she found a man offering lessons in Mollusk. By 2006, he’d been in business 50 years and was ready to retire. He talked her into buying his studio.
A year later she moved to her current location at the old CM Barrack General Store on HistoryLand Hwy.
Stained glass projects:
Over the years, she has made various pieces ranging from ornaments and art, to windows in homes and churches. A number of pieces have been used for the restoration of historic homes in the area. Some went to the Heathsville Library and others were made to sell at local events.
One of her largest pieces measured 3’x4’ and was shipped to the owner in Texas. Most items, like this one, are custom requests. “It’s a good example of the work we do,” says Nancy.
Two people have ordered windows as wedding gifts. One, bearing a wedding ring with the Celtic infinity symbol through it. Nancy says, “It’s always nice to see what people are interested in and when someone likes what you make, it makes you feel good.”
Among current projects are six skylights for a home in Baltimore, MD with high vaulted ceilings.
Nancy doesn’t have a favorite piece and says that each is unique in itself, and there is a certain joy that comes with it. “Every piece is your favorite while you’re working on it or when it’s just finished.”
Inside the business:
As other businesses have experienced, COVID has impacted the shop’s sales. Stained glass is not cheap. So even with people being home more this last year, the cost of materials has been a consideration for those who work with glass.
Most business comes from weekend traffic as people escape from DC or Richmond to visit the Northern Neck. People also stop in when they visit from other areas.
Even with the slower pace, Nancy says she’s tied to the shop. “It beats staying home doing housework, although I think I have to clean more here than there,” she says with a laugh. “I’ve always wanted to do this.”
Classes are the majority of other traffic.
Sign up for a session.
Nancy says most people come in with an idea of what they want to make, but if not, she has plenty of books to give them ideas. “If you only like part of something you see in a book, no matter what it is, we can modify it to make it what you want.”
Some customers want to make gifts for Christmas. The largest group was eight women–all friends– that wanted to come in and make pieces together. Another student was an 84-year-old woman who made two glass memory boxes for her daughters. “She just wanted to prove to them that she could do it and that 84 was not too old to learn something new,” says Nancy.
We agree.
What about you?
Do you have an idea for a piece that you’d love to make or buy? Contact Nancy to get started 804-394-4111.
