A New Chapter for Fused Glass by Claire Harris: From Shop to Shedio
After six incredible years of running my shop in St Austell's Market House, I've made a big change, I've moved my studio back home to my garden shed, affectionately nicknamed the Shedio. It's a shift that's been both bittersweet and exciting, and I wanted to take a moment to share why I made this decision, what's next for my fused glass business, and what this means for you, my lovely customers.
Why I Closed the Shop:
Running a shop in St Austell has been an amazing experience. I've loved meeting customers face-to-face, sharing my passion for fused glass, and being part of a wonderful community of fellow traders. Some of my favorite memories come from the special events, live music, extra market stalls, and the bustling energy that made Market House come alive. The camaraderie among traders was something truly special; we always had each other's backs, and I've made lifelong friends through it.
But as much as I loved my time there, the reality of running a retail shop had become more challenging. Footfall in the town has been steadily declining over the past decade, making it harder to sustain a physical shop. On top of that, last year brought some personal health challenges that required frequent hospital and doctor visits. Closing the shop for appointments was inconvenient for customers and added extra stress to an already demanding schedule.
So, after much thought, I decided it was time for a new chapter, one that allows me more flexibility, creativity, and balance while still continuing to do what I love.
Introducing: The Shedio
My morning commute now consists of a five-meter walk down the garden path, a definite perk! Plus, my cat is absolutely delighted to have me around all day.
The biggest difference I've noticed since moving to the Shedio is the natural light and the connection to the outside world. Market House is a beautiful historic building, but my shop was tucked away at the back with no outside windows. Winters could feel quite stark, so being able to see the seasons change, hear the birds, and take a proper lunch break (something I never quite managed in the shop) has been a refreshing change.
The Shedio is a private workspace, so it wont be open to the public, but I'm looking into alternative venues where I can hold workshops again and meet clients over coffee to discuss commissions. More on that soon!
What's Next?
Now that I'm no longer tied to a physical shop, I'm focusing on online sales and stocking other galleries around the UK. Here's what you can expect moving forward:
- My Shopify website will be the main place to buy my fused glass pieces, including my limited-edition designs.
- I still have an Etsy shop, but I'm keeping exclusive collections on my own site.
- Stockists across the UK, You can find my work in various art galleries, mostly in Cornwall, but also in the Outer Hebrides and, later this year, Lindisfarne.
- Commissions are still open! As long as workload allows, I'll continue creating custom pieces. If you have a special project in mind, get in touch!
- Workshops will return, I'm currently looking for the perfect venue to restart my fused glass workshops. If you're interested, keep an eye out for updates.
A Big Thank You
I want to say a huge thank you to everyone who has supported my business over the years, whether you've visited my shop, bought a piece of my work, taken a workshop, or simply followed along on social media. Your encouragement means the world to me, and I can't wait to continue sharing my work with you in this new way.
So here's to more creativity, flexibility, and exciting new designs coming from the Shedio! Keep an eye on my website for new pieces, and if you have any questions about commissions, stockists, or workshops, feel free to reach out.
Claire
Fused Glass by Claire Harris
