Charne
A passionate, self-taught artist & entrepreneur living in the California foothills.
Originally from Australia, I traveled to California for fun in 2007, and made it my permanent adventure when I met my wife in San Francisco in 2009.
Garden Shed Glass
Small in space, boundless in vision.
I make stained glass art that celebrates light, color, and joy. My work began by accident, but it quickly became my passion. I left the corporate world and built my studio in our small garden shed, where I work with my hands and follow my curiosity.
Glass slows me down. Cutting, shaping, and soldering each piece requires focus and care. I enjoy the rhythm of the process and the calm it brings. I’m inspired by nature, simple forms, and mid-century design and I’m especially drawn to how glass changes throughout the day as the light moves through it.
Light is an active part of my work. It transforms each piece, creating shifting color and shadow. I design my sun catchers and panels to be lived with, not just looked at. They are meant to bring warmth, color, and a sense of pause into everyday spaces.
I use both new and vintage glass, choosing materials for their color, texture, and history. Each piece is made slowly and with intention. My hope is that my work invites people to notice the light and find a small moment of joy in it.
Design Process
Each piece at Garden Shed Glass is made by hand, start to finish, in my garden shed studio.
I begin with an original sketch, keeping the design simple and balanced. I then select the glass, choosing colors and textures that will work best with the design and the light. I cut the glass, refine the edges, and carefully fit them all together.
Each piece is wrapped in copper foil then soldered. This stage is slow and precise, and it’s where the work truly comes together. After soldering, I clean and polish the piece ready for its final inspection. Because the process is entirely handmade, no two pieces are exactly the same. Variations in glass, solder lines, and texture are part of what makes each piece unique.
My work is created in small batches and each piece is made with intention and care. This hands-on process allows me to stay connected to the materials and ensures that every finished piece is made to last and be enjoyed for years to come.
Sketching and templating
Ideas are sketched and converted to digital templates.
Scoring and Breaking
Based on the template, a score line is etched on the glass to break the raw shapes out.
Grinding
The raw edges are smoothed in preparation for the next step in the process, foiling.
Foiling
Copper foil is taped and burnished around the edges creating a conductive surface to adhere the solder to.
Soldering
A smooth line of solder is laid down over the foil, joining the glass and completing the pattern.
Cleaning and Polishing
Designs are thoroughly cleaned in a multi-step process before being polished and waxed to protect the final lustre.