Hi! I’m Valerie Cahalane. I’m a lifelong creative who has spent nearly 30 years working in stained glass. I first took classes in the 90s, but most of what I know comes from years of teaching myself, experimenting, and following curiosity wherever it leads.
I gather inspiration everywhere. My home is full of pressed flowers, birch bark, little charms, and bits of salvaged chain that often find new life in my necklaces. My macro photography practice also shapes my work: I’m always drawn to the worlds within the smallest of details, the overlooked patterns and textures that become the backbone of many of my designs.
I use the Tiffany method to create each piece, cutting and grinding every shard of glass by hand for max custimization and precision. But at times abandon this approach and let my intution guide me. Recycling old glass scraps into new, unexcepted patterns that leave unique flair. Once the pattern is shaped, I wrap each piece in copper foil and solder the form together. My hands show the history of this work. Scars from many cuts and burns over the years that tell the story of this craft I care for deeply.
After being laid off from my corporate insurance job, I decided to take a leap and pursue stained glass full time. I’ve been traveling to craft fairs up and down the East Coast, building relationships, honing my skills, and growing a body of work I’m proud of. In 2025, I officially turned that passion into a business with the launch of Valerie’s Valuables.
