The 1,000 Cranes Story

The crane is a Japanese symbol of good fortune, fidelity and longevity. Legend has it that if someone folds a thousand origami cranes, they will be granted a wish. A young girl named Sadako Sasaki gained worldwide attention when, after being diagnosed with Leukemia after the bombing of Hiroshima, she set out to fold a thousand cranes wishing for health and a world without war. She died before completing her goal, but her story inspired others and the crane has since become a symbol of peace, healing and hope.

I learned to fold origami cranes when my husband and I visited the Seattle Art Museum in the ‘90’s, and I love their delicate form as well as what they represent. I wanted to translate that elegance into stained glass and couldn’t find a pattern I liked, so I developed my own and 1,000 Cranes Glass was born. My hope is that all my creations spread a little joy into the world.

Peace,

Karen