Cradle of the Sun

BUY LOCAL! The owner, Dan, is willing to go above and beyond to help you learn. He shares his knowledge and wisdom with generosity and a playful sense of dead pan humor. He is lovely to work with. This is my first time doing stained glass, and I wasn’t expecting the level of help and mentorship I received, especially since I’m not currently enrolled in any classes. I came in as someone completely new to the art, knowing nothing. I initially thought I’d just be poking around on my own, trying to figure things out, but he was incredibly helpful and generous with his time and knowledge. He provides a printed list of all the essential tools you’ll need to get started, plus a few optional but nice-to-have items. Everything he offers from the setup and guidance to the quality and pricing of his shop is exceptional. I'm very impressed and will continue to return for glass and other items I may need as my journey continues in this new art. Thank you, Dan!

Dan is awesome. I enjoyed purchasing my stained glass and supplies in his shop. So helpful and overall sweet owner. He has ongoing classes also. Such a large variety of gorgeous glass. I will be back.

Thank you for a fun and informing visit! Affordable prices and fun customer service. I love my new glass and I’m so excited to put it to use!

Amazing selection of stained glass. All the supplies and tools you need. Owner is extraordinary. Dan is a truly great artist and offers classes at a very reasonable price. Dan's expertise and creativity is masterful. He is a kind teacher and an artistically generous bussinessman. I am a loyal customer because I always get a fair deal and I know I can count on Dan for direction and advice. Plus, he has a wonderful selection of beautiful glass items, many made by local artists, that make excellent gifts for anyone regardless of budget.

Best glass supplies place in the bay. Dan knows it all! Very helpful and knowledgeable. (Note: Dan can seem gruff at first but really is just an introvert and he is wonderful!) As a glass artist and a stained glass and glass fusing teacher at a nearby high school, cradle of the sun has been my go to for many many years for all my glass supply needs. If I could give more stars I would.

I love my stained glass classes with Dan - he is truly a master of his craft. His studio and classes are awesome and have become a huge highlight of my week!

The guy was really cool and helpful. I was able to get a lot of supplies that I needed to begin my stained glass journey. And I got there during his SALE hours, so the added discount was an extra bonus! I would much rather support local businesses than throw money at internet shops or the Craft Coral etc... I would have loved to have chatted longer with the shop keep, but I had to run to pick someone up. There were lots of works that inspired me there in the shop. He also had a full supply of electrical equipment to make your very own stained glass lamps etc... He had lots of tips for a novice such as myself. I am very much looking forward to my next visit. Best Wishes

Dan is an OG when it comes to stained glass. He taught me everything I know and I am so thankful that he created such an awesome space to be creative in! I recommend his class to anyone curious about stained glass. If you're looking to commission something specific i'd pop in and look through his massive photo book of previous projects. He's done it all and I can truthfully say that his artistry & craftsmanship are unparalleled. Dan - If you ever read this, thanks for all the guidance and thoughtful advice! See you in class :)

There just aren't many stained glass shops around any more. Cradle of the Sun was a destination on a trip from Central California to rural Northern California. His shop is quaint and well stocked. Very pleasant couple!

The place I go for stained glass supplies. Excellent selection of glass with a handy display of samples lit from behind so I can see the colors without having to pull giant sheets of sharp glass out of racks. The owner is very knowledgeable although I don't find him very friendly. I feel he would rather be doing something better with his time but he does respond when I ask questions. He has never offered suggestions to help - like saying "try this piece as it is almost the same as the one you are looking at but half the price and you don't need that big a piece" or "this piece is hard to cut and won't work with the lead you have just picked out". He holds classes at the shop which always look well attended. He always wraps the supplies very well to protect them.

My fiancé and I came to Dan to have a small (18"x 24"), front door window made in our new home. We brought couple of drawings as to give Dan an idea of what we wanted. We gave him all the freedom of choosing colors, overall design, and his own creativity, expecting from his on line portfolio that he will do a great job. We were promised to have the piece finished in 6-8 week, and a phone call when it's done. It took a bit longer, but it was worth all the wait! When it was finally installed, the window looked GORGEOUS! Really beautiful piece of art, way beyond our expectations. We highly recommend Cradle of the Sun, and hope to work with Dan again in the future. Thanks Dan! We think you are really the most skilled artist that we have seen, and we feel honored that one of your works of art is at our home, making it more beautiful.

Dan is an expert. No, a master. He is a wealth of knowledge. If he doesn't have the glass you want, he knows where you can get it or he will get it for you. If you aren't sure what glass you want, he will find the perfect piece. He has a good stock of supplies available, and his prices are comparable to other retail stores (like Stained Glass Garden in Berkeley) but more expensive than buying online. Dan teaches classes in the evenings and on the weekends. There you can learn to make a leaded or copper-foil stained glass work, and meet a bunch of nice folks while you work. People cycle through the classes working on their own projects, and Dan makes himself available with as much or as little help as you need. All the tools are provided, all the supplies you buy for 10% off. Check out the galleries at http://www.cradleofthesun.com/Gallery.html to see some of Dan's work plus the prolific student galleries. Two things: I wish the store were better lit, and I wish the front area had a little more breathing room. Then again, Dan is the kind of guy whose workspace is his top priority. He runs a good shop.

The magpie in me was dazzled. Beautiful artistry in every possible permutation of art glass. Gifts for anyone that they'll love and treasure, and very impressed with the workshop... it's wonderful when an artisan chooses to share knowledge as well. We didn't receive much in the way of warm welcome, though perhaps the owner's style is to let people browse at their leisure, which is also nice, in many ways.

I took a stained glass making class here. Dan is inspiring, patient and helpful. I loved the class and the people. My piece looks fabulous and I cannot wait to hang it up. The class wait list is long so sign up soon and hope to get a spot in the coming months. The store has a lot of gorgeous pieces for you or to gift people you love.

I am now in my third round of classes with Dan Gamaldi at Cradle of the Sun. Not only does a student get to work with the personal assistance of an amazing master of the craft (30 + years) but Dan creates a special kind of community in his classes. Everyone is important. Dan encourages each student to pursue their interest, and helps each according to the student's need. The workspace has everything you need all put in its place... except for perhaps a little more space! If you want to learn stained glass, trust Dan to teach you with great patience and charm.

Cradle of the Sun is moving from Noe Valley to Ocean Avenue/Ingleside Terraces area. Ingleside's gain, Noe Valley's loss.