Karen Nan

It all started when…

Karen was in her early years in Minnesota. At age 14, she was introduced to stained glass by her mother, a well-known stained glass artist in the Midwest. Karen’s fascinations with the physical properties of glass—its color, clarity, shapes, and the way it interacts with light—has been a driving force in her artistic career.

Working with lead cane and mastering the art of soldering, she created vibrant and intricate stained glass patterns. In the 1970’s Karen ventured to California and, at the age of 18, was in her first show, showcasing her stained glass creations and began wholesaling her works to stores up and down the California coast.

Karen put her artistic pursuits on hold when she became a mother. Her focus shifted to raising her three beautiful girls. As her children became young adults, Karen found her way back to her passion for glass art. Intrigued with the transformative power of glass under heat, she explored kiln-fired fused glass as her medium of choice starting in 2002.

Initially, Karen focused on fusing glass to create stunning pendants for jewelry—necklaces, bracelets, and earrings. Her signature creations featured wire-wrapped hearts adorned with sterling silver, gold, or copper wire, complemented by beads, crystals, and charms, resulting in exquisite necklaces.

In 2007, Karen began creating sun catchers and ornaments, opening the possibilities to play with the interplay of light in her pieces. In more recent years, she expanded her repertoire to include chimes and glass art integrated into wooden stands, skillfully handcrafted by her neighbor and local artist, Bart Beach, using wood sourced from local trees that have been cut down. While she primarily focused on sun catchers and glass art, Karen on the rare occasion would make a limited edition batch of her beloved hearts for jewelry enthusiasts.

Karen’s creativity knows no bounds, and she constantly pushed the boundaries of her craft through experimentation. She continually explored unique glass compositions, colors, firing formulas, and designs. Each piece is unique, making her work truly one-of-a-kind.

Sadly, Karen nan unexpectedly passed away in February 2024. Her vibrant personality and artistry brought joy and inspiration to those who encountered her work, whether through the radiant colors that illuminated a window, a beautifully crafted dichroic glass pendant, or a one-of-a-kind piece created in one of her classes. She left a legacy that lives on in each unique piece she created, treasured by her family, friends, and the many admirers of her work. Her passing leaves a void in the artistic community, but her spirit shines brightly in every creation she left behind—a lasting testament to her love for glass and her gift for bringing happiness and inspiration to others.