I have always loved the look of light coming thROUGH stained glass. the way the colors dance on the walls and how as the light source changes the colors change too. the play with light and colored glass drew me to the craft back in 1999.
at that time, i lived in seattle in a home that had three small windows in the front door. it made me uncomforTABLE knowing that anyone could look into those windows and see my living room and kitCHEN. i thought that stained glass would be the perfect solution. it would allow the light to enter, but no one would be able to see into my home.
i found a local community college that offered stained glass classes. AND the rest as they say, was history, i was hooked! during those first 5 years i worked closely with my teacher michelle in west seattle. she taught me both the lead came and the tiffany copper foil methods of stained glass construction.
my technique has changed a bit over the years aided by technology. for the first 20 years i hand drew all of my patterns. this is a very TIME-CONSUMING process and if a change was NEEDED, i had to redraw it, by hand. now i use glass eye 2000, a designing program specifically for stained glass artists. the initial pattern drawing still takes time, but edits can be done quickly and effICIENTLY.
I work to balance timeless technique with contemporary design. With over two decades of hands-on experience at Galea Stained Glass Studio, I specialize in custom commissions, instructional classes, pet portraits and memorials, 3D florals and plants as well as repairs & restoration work for residential clients.
My approach
Listen first: I begin every project by understanding how the piece will be used, the space it will live in, and the client’s aesthetic and budget priorities.
Design with intent: I translate ideas into scaled drawings and color studies that clarify form, light, and composition before any glass is cut.
Execute with care: I work hands-on through glass selection, cutting, leading/copper-foiling, soldering, and finishing—maintaining craft standards and durable construction.
Skills and specialties
Custom commissioned panels and cabinet doors
three-dimensional glass orchids, cacti, monstera plants, and more!
pet memorial suncatchers and panels
refurbishing and repairing old stained glass windows and panels
repairs to stained glass lampshades and panels
instructional classes: private one-on-one classes, group classes, studio time, skill BUILDER'S classes
Custom patterns made for stained glass artists
why stained glass and home/pet sitting?
on the surface, these two things may not seem related to most folks, but for me, there is a relationship between these two THINGS. pets translate into stained glass nicely and pet portraits and pet memorials are my favorite things to create. when your fur baby crosses the rainbow bridge, it is emotionally painful, but what better way to memorialize your best friend than in stained glass.
since the passing of my pup in the fall of 2025, the pain was too much for me and i made the tough decsion to not have a dog again as my heart just can’t go through the loss again. instead, i now share all my love with your fur kids!
