Corley Studio Shop has its roots firmly in making. Long before there was a shop window, there was a stained glass studio, established in 1978 and recognised for its traditional craftsmanship and professional standing within the stained glass world. Over time, and in response to growing public interest, the studio shop emerged as a natural extension of this established practice - a way to share glass more openly, while remaining grounded in the same values, skills, and respect for the material...
A Working Stained Glass Studio
From the outset, Corley Studio was first and foremost a working studio. The focus was on stained glass commissions and conservation, carried out using time-honoured techniques and a careful, considered approach to the material. Glass was carefully chosen, cut, painted, fired, and leaded by hand, with an emphasis on quality and longevity.
This commitment to craftsmanship quickly earned the studio recognition within the stained glass community, establishing a reputation that continues to underpin everything we do today.
Artistic Foundations and Historic Influence
The studio’s work has always been informed by a strong artistic foundation. Early exposure to historic stained glass, particularly through working at the Cathedral Studio in Canterbury, played an important role in shaping an understanding of glass as both an artistic and architectural medium. John Corley spent almost four years there studying design, glass painting, the craft of this unique visual medium, and the conservation of 800-year-old masterpieces.
Growth and Development of the Studio
Following his work at Canterbury Cathedral, John set about building a life dedicated to carrying out his own new commissions and conservation projects. As commissions increased, the studio naturally grew. New premises were acquired, facilities expanded, and a skilled team of craftspeople was established to support both new work and conservation. Over time, the studio developed in scale and complexity while maintaining the same ethos of care, precision, and respect for the craft.
Extending the Practice: The Studio Shop
Around twenty years after the studio was established, a small selection of contemporary mouthblown glass and leaded panels was placed in the studio window. The response from passersby revealed a growing curiosity about glass - how it is made, how it is used, and how it can be lived with.
The studio shop grew organically from this interest, becoming an extension of a well-established stained glass practice. It offered a way to engage directly with the public and to present glass in a more accessible, everyday context.
John's wife, Heather, played a key role in shaping this next chapter, helping to develop the studio shop into a welcoming space that sits comfortably alongside the working studio.
A Studio Shop by the Sea
Today, Corley Studio Shop is based in the seaside town of Deal, Kent, where we enjoy the coastal light shifting throughout the day and bringing out subtle changes in glass colour and texture!
Our window displays are an ever-changing feature, reflecting both seasonal light and the work we create and curate. Not being located on the main High Street, many visitors discover us by chance, drawn in by the glass in the window, a connection between studio, street, and sea.
What We Create
Alongside stained glass commissions and smaller stained glass panels, the studio produces original fused glass art and handmade jewellery, each piece made by hand. No two pieces are exactly alike, and many of our studio works carry the JC signature, marking their origin and craftsmanship.
These pieces are designed to be lived with - bringing light, colour, and individuality into everyday spaces and to your outfits!
Curating Contemporary British Glass
In addition to our own work, we curate a collection of contemporary glass by some of the UK’s most respected glass artists, including Peter Layton, Bob Crooks, and Will Shakspeare. Each artist is selected for their technical skill, originality, and shared respect for the material. Curation is an important part of the studio shop, ensuring that every piece sits comfortably within the wider collection and reflects our values.
A Place of Welcome
Corley Studio Shop is, above all, a place of welcome. We love seeing people take their time, ask questions, and discover glass in its many forms - whether they are long-standing collectors, first-time buyers, or simply passing through Deal!
From a respected stained glass studio to a studio shop by the sea, Corley Studio Shop has grown steadily and thoughtfully, guided by experience, integrity, and a love of glass. We adore what we do, and we hope to be sharing beautiful, handcrafted glass for many years to come!