Corinne Leroux is the owner of Awesome Sauce Designs operating out of MakerLabs in Strathcona. She offers quirky, handmade art pieces (available to order on her Etsy shop) and teaches regular classes on how to make your own stained glass art.
Tell us a little bit about your art and what you make.
I make stained glass art with a modern twist. I try and veer away from what people think of when they traditionally think of stained glass. My pieces focus on a more modern geometric style and the weird and whimsical.
How did you begin your journey with stained glass and how did you decide to turn your art into a business?
I’ve always been crafty and had many hobbies including learning to knit at the age of 6. Stained glass was one of many hobbies I tried, and I took a class at the Surrey Arts Centre in 2005, and then really loved it. I made more and more pieces and was giving them away to friends and family. I also had other things I was making – you can only have so much stained glass in your house – so I decided to combine all my hobbies into one business and start selling my work. This included things I had sewn, knit, greeting cards I designed, and stained glass, but eventually, the glass just took over all of it.
In 2015 after having lots of practice in the medium, and seeing that there were very limited places to learn this art, I started teaching stained glass classes in my studio.
Where in Strathcona are you based and what makes this neighbourhood special to you?
My studio is based out of MakerLabs. It’s a really creative space, filled with other makers, that I find inspiring just to be in. There’s always an energy here that makes me excited to work on my art. I also love all the history in this neighbourhood seeing all the colourful historic buildings as well as the newer murals that have been painted in the last few years. I think it adds to that creative energy that we have in MakerLabs.
Where can we find your products?
I sell my work mostly on my Etsy shop, but I also accept commissions for custom work as well. My products and information about classes can be found on my website and inquiries about commissions can be emailed to hello@awesomesauceart.com.
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