Interview by Jennie Trejo. Social media video by Angelica Villa. Photos provided by glassybaby.
glassybaby debuted at NorthPark Mall on Black Friday, bringing hope, light, and a deep commitment to giving back. Founded by Lee Rhodes, a three-time cancer survivor, glassybaby is more than a retail brand. It’s a movement that combines artistry, philanthropy, and community impact.
As the first glassybaby location outside the Pacific Northwest, the NorthPark store symbolizes a significant milestone, one made even brighter by a NorthPark’s deep commitment to the community. glassybaby focuses its commitment by giving a meaningful donation from every item sold to support local, Dallas-based nonprofit organizations.
We sat down with Lee to hear about her journey from battling cancer to building a company that has donated over $15 million to causes worldwide. She dives into the artistry behind each handmade vessel, the impact of their giving model, and why Dallas– and NorthPark Mall– felt like the perfect new home for glassybaby’s radiant mission.
Lee: glassybaby began from my experience in chemo rooms, where I realized that everyone– regardless of their background– is equal in the fight against cancer. It was eye-opening to see how many people faced additional challenges, like affording parking, childcare, or even food, which sometimes led them to miss life-saving treatments. That inequity outside the chemo room deeply affected me.
One day, someone gave me a little glass object, and when I placed a tea light inside, its warm glow brought me comfort. I began sharing these with my chemo buddies, and it grew from there. glassybaby became a symbol of taking a moment to breathe and find peace amid stress. Over time, my son started naming the glass pieces and creating stories for them, turning them into meaningful gifts. Now, each glassybaby has a purpose, like giving “Angel” to someone grieving the loss of a loved one. They help people express care when words fall short.
Lee: My son is 33, and he’s been part of this journey from the start. He wrote the story of glassybaby when he was just 12, which you can find in our pull-out materials. To this day, he still names every piece and writes the poems that accompany them. In fact, he just created a new one today, and it’s absolutely amazing—it’ll blow your mind!
He has such a unique ability to take difficult emotions and treat them carefully, with just the right touch of lightness. We’ve tried hiring others for this, but no one captures the essence the way he does. Even though he runs his own business, he continues to do this for us because his voice truly embodies what glassybaby is all about. This language of colors and stories has become a core part of who we are.
Lee: In Seattle, we’ve spent over 20 years hiring glassblowers from around the world, as the city is a hub for glassblowing. With iconic figures like Dale Chihuly and Bill Worthington based here, there’s a thriving community of artists. Many glassblowers, especially those pursuing art, appreciate the opportunity to earn a living while practicing their craft, and we’ve been able to provide that.
In Montana, we opened a hot shop three years ago and focused on training locals, most with no prior experience in glassblowing. About 90 percent of our Montana artisans came from other industries like retail or mining. Glassblowing is incredibly challenging–it’s physical, technical, and requires intense focus– but it’s been a great fit for the community.
Training someone to independently make a glassybaby costs around $200,000, but the results are worth it. We now have 40 glassblowers in Montana, earning the same wages and benefits as our Seattle team. For a small town of 7,000, this has been a significant opportunity. It’s incredible to see their progress. They’re now approaching the production levels of our Seattle team, which is something we’re very proud of.
Lee: We have a system where we give away three $5,000 grants each month to applicants. From these, we often establish a larger partnership if the organization shows promise. If they continue to engage with us and show impact, we usually keep supporting them.
Another way we choose organizations is through recommendations from customers or employees. My passions are cancer and elephants, so I’m particularly interested in supporting causes related to those. We’re open to any cause that resonates with individuals, even if it’s unconventional.
Locally in Dallas, our giving includes partnerships with the Cancer Support Community of North Texas as our everyday partner. Additionally, we’re doing what we call pop-up partners to keep our giving well-spread throughout the community. For example, we’ve already partnered with the Nasher Sculpture Center and have several more in the works. Our focus will continue on uncompensated cancer care, as well as other organizations in the Dallas area, with the aim of making a significant impact.
Lee: The thing about glassybaby is that we’re very selective about where we go and which communities we join because authenticity is at the core of our brand. We’re known for actually delivering on our promises, like writing the checks, not just talking about it. With $15 million donated, I’m very mindful of the impact we can make.
I’m looking forward to bringing this authentic approach to Dallas, where people genuinely want to help others and find joy in the language and light of glassybaby. It’s about creating experiences, building collections, and passing them down. There’s something special about glassybaby that resonates with people, and we’re excited to bring that energy and storytelling to the community in North Park.”
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