Bul Art Glass: Preserving magic through reviving a craft

In an era dominated by mass production and cheap goods, some businesses stand out by creating something truly special – capturing the essence of craftsmanship and artistry.

Bul Art Glass is one such place – a workshop where the magic of Christmas thrives year-round, enchanting visitors of all ages from across the globe. Nestled in a quaint location, this family-run business crafts exquisite glass ornaments for customers from distant continents.

From old glass tubes to the magic of a thriving family business

It all began with a seemingly ordinary workday at a glass factory where Kostadin Kaloyanov stumbled upon a collection of old glass tubes.

The founder of Bul Art Glass decided to investigate the unique qualities of the tubes. His research revealed that they were manufactured in Germany with a higher lead content and softer consistency, making them ideal for crafting glass Christmas ornaments – a tradition that originated over 200 years ago in Lauscha, Germany.

Inspired by the tubes’ story, Kostadin resolved to recreate these ornaments using an age-old glassblowing technique, which involves heating glass until it becomes pliable and then inflating it into shapes with a pipe. The method requires immense skill, and Kostadin’s initial attempts were far from perfect – only 200 out of his first 1,000 ornaments were usable.

What began as a curiosity quickly turned into a passion. Encouraged by family and friends who eagerly bought his creations, Kostadin realised the potential of the craft, and Bul Art Glass was born.

The challenges of boutique production

Kostadin sourced glass tubes from Germany and embarked on the next challenge: silvering the ornaments.

“No one can provide a definitive recipe for silvering. The materials are expensive, and you have to find the perfect combination yourself,” explains Paulina Kaloyanova, Kostadin’s daughter.

Even external conditions pose challenges. For instance, in extremely cold weather, ornaments are prone to breaking, while high humidity affects how well the paint adheres.

Yet the family persevered, finding ways to maintain production throughout the year. In the summer, the workshop operates outdoors, welcoming visitors eager to witness this almost forgotten craft. Winter brings production indoors, where a dazzling shop showcases ornaments in every shape and colour imaginable. From classic red and green baubles to unique pinecones and tree toppers, each ornament is crafted with care and offered in limited quantities.

“Our paints are specially designed for this type of glasswork. We try to maintain a palette of about 11 colours, adding or removing shades based on customer feedback. Some colours, though, remain constant for our loyal customers, whose trees are decorated exclusively with our ornaments,” shares Paulina.

Decorating the ornaments is a craft in itself, entrusted to Sasha Ignatova, an artist with over 35 years of experience in painting on glass. Together, the team brings holiday magic to homes worldwide, with clients spanning from the U.S. and Germany to as far as Australia.

Despite producing ornaments year-round, 90% of sales occur during the festive season, primarily at Christmas markets.

“Last year, we participated in a major Christmas market and produced 5,000 ornaments, which nearly sold out. This year, we’ve made over 8,800 pieces, including corporate orders – our largest being for the Williams Racing Formula 1 team,” Paulina shares.

For the rest of the year, the family sells through platforms like Etsy and their online store.

Craftsmanship thrives with modern payment solutions

While Bul Art Glass embraces traditional techniques, it relies on modern tools to reach its customers. From the very beginning, the business has trusted myPOS for payment solutions.

“Our journey started with myPOS. We had signed up for a Christmas market and needed a card reader. After researching options, we found that myPOS offered the best conditions. I visited their store, set up an account, and had an active terminal within days,” Paulina recalls.

At their very first market, the family realised how crucial it was to offer card payment options, as 90% of customers preferred paying by card. Moreover, they appreciated the instant access to funds:

“In our line of work, it’s essential to cover high upfront costs, from materials to market fees. Although we produce ornaments year-round, we only sell for about 45 days. Immediate access to funds allows us to reinvest without delays.”

In addition to the myPOS card reader, Bul Art Glass utilises myPOS Online, a free e-commerce platform that enables them to sell ornaments and tickets for workshop tours.

“For a seasonal business like ours, avoiding monthly fees for both the card machine and website is a game-changer,” Paulina explains.

Passion preserves tradition

Despite the growing success of Bul Art Glass, the family still views it as a hobby – a passion project that keeps the craft alive while spreading joy to homes worldwide. Kostadin continues his full-time job at the factory, dedicating his evenings to glassblowing. His story is a testament to how passion can preserve tradition and bring warmth to countless lives.