Seattle-based 'Glassybaby" lighting up lives

SEATTLE - Martha Stewart is a big fan. So is Amazon.com's Jeff Bezos, who just announced he's investing in the Seattle-based company Glassybaby.

The hand-blown, glass containers known as Glassybabies are popular around the region. They're often used as candle-holders.

But for the woman behind the booming local business, it's an extremely personal mission.

"I really feel like I'm a caretaker of an amazing little product that has its own magic - and every single one of them has its own magic," said Lee Rhodes.

Ten years ago, out of the blue, Rhodes was diagnosed with lung cancer. In the chaos of treatment, the young mother of three bought her husband glass-blowing classes as a stress reliever. He started bringing home colorful, little glass containers.

"They were just these absurd little shapes, but with a little candle in them, a tea light, they came to light. and they were just magical," Rhodes said. "And all of a sudden people wanted them, we're giving them away, and people said, 'make more, make more.'"

Just like that, Glassybaby was born.

A decade later, dozens of professional glass blowers now create more than 1,000 Glassybaby containers a week. The creations are carefully hand-blown at a Madrona studio.

"They're hard not to respond to," Rhodes said. "If you have any place in you that needs touching, that's what they do."

A rainbow of colors lines store shelves, and 10 percent of the proceeds go to charity - often to cancer awareness and research.

"It just sort of feels like a little cheerleader squad right there on the table," said Lisa Ryan Thompson, who got a Glassybaby as a gift after she was diagnosed with stage 3 ovarian cancer. Her doctors say she has a 30 percent chance of surviving another three years.

She's since helped develop her own set of Glassybabies dedicated to ovarian cancer awareness. She says the colorful lights give her hope.

"It's a reminder that there are people out there working on a cure for incurable cancers," Thompson said.

Glassybaby has grown into a $2 million a year business that's contributed hundreds of thousands of dollars to dozens of charities. Even in this economy, Glassybaby continues to grow.

But for Rhodes, it isn't about business. She's nearing her tenth year as a cancer survivor, and she's more determined than ever to spread a little light to other patients.

"You feel genuine effort and kindness and love in every Glassybaby. And that's a miracle to me. Every day," she said.

Glassybaby has three stores in this area and plans to open stores in both Portland and New York in the coming months.