Photography by Garrett Cook Ron Olson works on his latest project, the restoration of a window from a church in Tucson.

RON OLSON

PROFESSION: Glass artisan

COMPANY: The Glass Works, Phoenix; (602) 253-7683

TRAINING: Self-taught

BACKGROUND: In 1969, then-42-year-old Ron Olson was trying to determine his next move in pursuing his passion for leaded glass when he stumbled upon a set of dilapidated windows. He bought the panes for $50, then refurbished and sold them for $7,000. He used the money to start his business, The Glass Works, a year later. He says this fortuitous event shaped the rest of his career.

Now 84, the self-proclaimed “oldest grouch in the business” reflects on the pay-it-forward philosophy that has kept him repairing and restoring existing glass pieces and designing new glass works for more than 40 years. “I’ve never completed a project where I didn’t give a customer more than what they paid for,” he says.

Olson takes particular pride in refurbishing pieces already in disrepair. He explains the differences between repair and restoration projects as, “A repair would be if I could not supply the original glass, I would be able to substitute. Restoration means ‘restore as original,’ which presents limitations.” To restore a pane, he first makes a stencil of the original design, then delicately cuts, cleans, lays out and re-solders the original windows to look like new.

Measuring 65"H by 43"W, this window pane depicts an Eagle Dancer.

He explains that his craft has remained relatively unchanged over the centuries, and that he uses the same types of simple tools utilized in the 14th century. “The only difference is that I get to use an electric soldering iron,” he quips.

Olson works on a variety of pieces, from window and door panes to lamps and wall art. He also has restored panes in historic churches and completed commissions for 15 Frank Lloyd Wright-style homes across the U.S.

Today, the artisan has moved his business to his home workshop—a blue barn he built board-by-board. “They’ll probably have to carry me out of here feet first when the day comes,” he jokes.

Reminiscing about his long career crafting and restoring glass, Olson says, “I may not be wealthy, but I’m enriched by what I do.”