How a Veteran Built a Creative Legacy
What began as a relaxing stained-glass hobby during her military years slowly turned into a passion for Cracked Glass Design owner Kathryn Moores.
After being medically released due to health issues, glasswork became more than just a creative outlet—it became therapeutic and central to her post-military life.
“I can remember even as a child being fascinated with glass,” said Kathryn. While traveling abroad, especially in Europe, she discovered the beauty and diversity of glass art. “Some people paint, some people garden. I was doing little stained glass pieces.”
After retiring from the military as an aircraft mechanic, Kathryn leaned further into her glass artistry and surprised her husband Fred with a signed store lease in Trenton in 2021.
Fred took it in stride, knowing full well Kathryn’s independent streak. “That first studio was only a thousand feet—just two tables (wide). It was our artwork area, our teaching area, our retail area.”
As the business blossomed, space became a problem. The shop was bursting at the seams, so Kathryn began looking for new locations.
After a few local searches in Quinte West, she connected with realtor Joe Shunock, who introduced her to a promising space at the Memorial Market Place in Downtown Belleville.
Even with unfinished walls and a gutted space, Kathryn saw the potential in the new 2,000 foot studio space. With the support of new landlords and a tight timeline, she and her team moved in and opened on October 30, 2024.
Since then, the Belleville studio has continued to grow, especially since there are no glass studios between Toronto and Kingston. “There’s nothing in between. I never advertised or anything,” she said.
The heart of the business is all about helping people rediscover creativity, and to have fun.
“I think that as we grow up, we lose the imagination we have as children, whether it’s just because of the schooling we’ve had or (lack of) encouragement. People leave here, and they’re like, ‘wow, I made that’. They’re always smiling.”
Kathy said she wants to pass her love of glass on to people “because it’s fun”.
With her husband Fred handling shipping, pricing, and cookie-making–-freshly baked oatmeal cookies are free at the studio—their combined skills and sense of purpose have helped grow the business into a welcoming, creative space, and they’re loving every minute of it.
Cracked Glass Design sells glass tools and supplies, offers stained glass and fusing classes, custom glass work and repair, and kiln firing. Find the studio at 15 Market St. in Downtown Belleville.
