On the Bolivar Peninsula, creativity and craftsmanship often find their way into unexpected places. For David and Monica Huber, owners of The Glass Tattoo, that place is a kiln, where glass, color, and concrete come together to create permanent works of art. Their business isn’t just about house numbers or welcome signs—it’s about telling stories that endure, just like the glass they’re made from.
From Stained Glass to The Glass Tattoo
Monica spent more than three decades perfecting her craft in stained glass, creating intricate church windows and custom entryways. Her work once included painting the facial features of Jesus onto glass using ceramic pigments, then firing them in a kiln. That experience proved invaluable when she and David decided to merge her artistry with new technology.
With David’s background in business and the printing industry, the couple modified a printer to use ceramic pigments instead of ink. Monica now designs on Photoshop, prints the design onto a special glass medium, and kiln-fires it so the artwork fuses permanently into the glass. The result is brilliant, fade-proof, weather-resistant art mounted on cement board and sealed for outdoor durability.
As David puts it, “The glass will never fade. They’ve dug up centuries-old pieces of ceramic art, and the color is still there. Our signs will be the same way.”
A Business Built on Storytelling
Though their first projects were humble roadside sales at Tiki Man’s, The Glass Tattoo quickly caught the attention of builders and homeowners who saw its potential. Local builder Steve with Traditional Craftsmen Homes began ordering multiple signs at a time, giving the Hubers an early break. Soon, their work expanded into custom logos, rental property signs, and even shower backsplashes.
But what truly sets their work apart is how each sign tells a story. Monica explains, “When someone orders a sign, I want to know their story. How many grandkids do they have? What do they love about their home? I try to weave those details into the artwork—pelicans for grandchildren, crabs for family ties, symbols of faith or memories.”
Some of their most memorable projects include:
- The Sisters House: A shared beach cabin memorialized with mermaids, one angelic, one lounging with a margarita, honoring a sister who had passed.
- Rejoice Inn: A family sign featuring driftwood crosses, playful pelican grandchildren, and nods to the couple’s faith and traditions.
- I See the Water: A gift from sons to their parents, commemorating a childhood tradition of racing to be the first to spot the ocean.
“These signs aren’t just decorative,” David says. “They become heirlooms.”
Craftsmanship Meets Technology
Every Glass Tattoo project begins with a design consultation, often through multiple rounds of sketches and edits until the customer feels the story is perfectly captured. The process is meticulous:
- Design – Monica creates the artwork digitally.
- Printing & Decal – The design is turned into a water-slide decal using ceramic glass pigments.
- Kiln Firing – The decal is fused into white opal glass at high heat.
- Assembly – The glass is mounted onto cement board, embedded in concrete, sealed with marine-grade finish, and backed with exterior paint.
- Installation – The finished product is pre-drilled and shipped with stainless steel screws for easy mounting.
It’s labor-intensive, but that’s part of the appeal. “We want it to be perfect,” Monica says. “Every single one matters.”
Growth, Festivals, and the Future
The Hubers built The Glass Tattoo with scalability in mind—something they could one day sell or hand off. But for now, they’re content running it as a two-person operation. They showcase their work at festivals like Texas Crab Festival and ARToberFEST, while also growing their online business, shipping custom pieces as far as Washington, Maine, and Florida.
While they dream of slowing down eventually, the couple’s passion for creativity keeps them experimenting. From custom trophies to pet memorials, and even plans to blend their technique with pottery, The Glass Tattoo is always evolving.
A Lasting Impression
For David and Monica, the heart of their business isn’t just in the materials—it’s in the people. Many customers have become close friends, bonded through the process of designing something meaningful together.
As Monica puts it, “By the time I get through working with someone, if I didn’t know them before, I do now. And usually, they’ve become a friend.”
The Glass Tattoo isn’t just a sign company. It’s a story company, etching memories, traditions, and family legacies into glass and concrete—art that won’t fade, crack, or disappear with time.
So next time you see a striking glass-and-concrete sign on the peninsula, know there’s likely a story behind it—one told through the artistry of David and Monica Huber at The Glass Tattoo.
