John Nelson has been the owner of Viking Stained Glass for over 25 years, creating leaded stained glass for over 30 years. He first learned and fell in love with the trade at a commercial stained-glass studio. After working there for five years, he eventually formed his own company in Charlotte, NC. John has created hundreds of pieces like some of contemporary styles, geometrics, and natural scenes seen here. Many of his designs are original, some recently inspired by Celtic art.

Most of John’s work resides in private residences, businesses, and churches. His craft extends into restoration and repair work on older stained glass around the North Carolina area. John prefers to use bright colors and jewel tones in his windows to lift people’s spirits. Stained glass is the only craft (that he can think of) that comes to life with light. He aims to keep spreading the light in future stained-glass windows. His studio is now located in the Folkmoot Center in Waynesville, NC.