INTRODUCING samantha jean
I've been creating for as long as I can remember.
As a child, I was endlessly curious — drawn to paint, paper, fabric, nature, stories, and anything that could be transformed by imagination. I didn't always know what I wanted to create, only that I felt called to make something beautiful, meaningful, and uniquely my own.
I was fortunate to grow up in a family that celebrated creativity in all its forms. They encouraged exploration, embraced every new idea, and nurtured the wonderfully busy mind that continues to inspire my work today.
Yawning Crowe Congeries is a collection of handcrafted art and heirloom-quality creations where whimsy meets elegance. Every piece is thoughtfully designed and carefully made with a deep appreciation for traditional craftsmanship, natural beauty, and the quiet magic found in handmade things. Whether it's an intricate work of art, a thoughtfully crafted keepsake, or something delightfully unexpected, each creation carries a piece of my imagination and heart.
For me, creating is more than making beautiful objects. It is storytelling. It is preserving wonder. It is inviting others to slow down, connect, and find joy in the extraordinary hidden within the everyday.
None of this would be possible without the unwavering love, encouragement, and inspiration of my family and those who continue to support this creative journey. Their belief in me is woven into every piece I make.
"The creative adult is the child who has survived."
— Ursula K. Le Guin
Thank you for visiting Yawning Crowe Congeries. Whether you've come to browse, collaborate, collect, or simply admire, I'm truly grateful you're here.
I hope my work brings a little wonder into your world.
— SJC
yawningcrowecongeries
FREQUENT INQUIRIES
Do you accept custom design orders?
Yes! Custom orders make up the bulk of our orders. Custom orders require a non-refundable deposit upon approval of design, prior to starting the project. Most custom pieces can be completed within 10 to 15 days (depending on design/size) and are subject to material availability.
Caring for stained glass art -
In time, your art piece may oxidize and start to look a little dull. A quick polish with a microfibre cloth should restore the luster of the glass and solder. Remember to always handle your art piece with care and to wash your hands thoroughly after handling.
Does your art contain lead?
Yes, as with most stained glass art, a 60/40 tin/lead solder is used on all of our glass art pieces. Please always wash your hands thoroughly after handling your new piece of art and keep out of reach of children.
Does your glass jewelry contain lead?
No, any items for wear which may come in contact with skin and clothing and are considered a frequently touched/worn item, use lead free solder, safe for skin contact. Chains, pins, earring studs and hoops etc are crafted with pre-made jewelry grade materials.
Maintaining botanical art pieces -
There are no dyes or artificial preservatives of any kind incorporated means of preserving colour so they will fade over time. They may turn shades of tan, yellow, brown, white, or even translucent. If maintaining colour for as long as possible is important to you, we recommend hanging your botanical piece in an area that receives indirect or no sunlight.
How should I hang up my piece?
Use nails or screws to display pieces directly from the wall or window frames is most recommended. Some unfixtured pieces, would typically be displayed by simply leaning against the window or being set in a stand - just be sure the place you choose is a window that isn't frequently opened and is out of reach from pets and children to limit the chance of falls and damage. Suctions are not recommended.
Can I display my piece outside?
Use your discretion when hanging/displaying your piece outdoors and in the elements. Considerations should include extreme weather conditions, such as heat, moisture, rain and freezing. Some creations have jewelry grade chains and jump rings which should not be exposed to water/moisture on a constant or reoccurring basis. Ultimately your decor piece is always best protected indoors.
How Do You Price Your Stained Glass Pieces?
Every stained glass piece is handmade, so pricing depends on much more than just size.
- Size & number of pieces
Larger pieces generally require more materials and time, while designs with lots of small pieces take considerably longer to cut, grind and assemble.
- Type of glass
Different glass can vary greatly in price. Specialty, textured, handmade and imported glass may cost more, and I carefully select each piece of glass to suit the design.
- Design complexity & challenge
Some designs are much more technically challenging than they may appear. Intricate patterns, tiny pieces, curves and difficult cuts require a lot of patience, precision and skill. Sometimes the finished piece makes the process look much easier than it actually was!
- Time, materials & batching
Pricing also reflects the many hours of hands-on work involved, from designing and cutting to grinding, foiling, soldering, cleaning and finishing, along with the cost of materials and supplies. For some designs, I’m able to batch-produce several pieces at once. This can make the process more efficient because I can cut, grind or assemble multiple pieces during the same stage of production. When this is possible, I can sometimes pass some of those efficiencies along in the pricing.
I do my best to price my work fairly, although there are definitely pieces where the amount of time and challenge involved could justify a higher price. I’d rather keep my work accessible while still making sure the craftsmanship and countless hours behind each piece are valued.