Meet the Makers

Sacha Carlos-Raps, the self-taught artist behind Sacha Raps, creates handmade glassware, prints, and art objects that are as whimsical as they are personal.

Born and raised in the Philippines, Sacha moved to New York City, where she found a place that embraced her passion for hands-on creation. “When I moved here from the Philippines, New York made me feel like it was okay to be involved in physical labor,“ says Sacha. "Back home, especially if you went to college, this type of work is often frowned upon.” After apprenticing at Friend of All, a stained glass light fixtures company, Sacha carved her own path as a glass artist, printmaker, illustrator, and glass educator.

In her Gowanus studio, Sacha’s windows are adorned with her stained glass art, and her shelves are lined with drawings and meticulously organized vintage glass. Located in the historic Kentile Floors factory building, now repurposed into a vibrant hub for artists and small businesses, the space has become a sanctuary for Sacha. "Being here is really nice; you feel the hustle and productivity. There’s a sense of community,” she shares. This environment has not only nurtured her growth as an artist but also connected her with a diverse clientele drawn to her playful and absurdist designs.

Despite not having a formal art education, Sacha’s unique visual language and talent have allowed her to thrive in a field typically dominated by those with a generational background in craftsmanship or fine art. Her creations, which range from sun catchers to stained glass windows, are infused with a deep sense of personal narrative and cultural identity. “A lot of my work hinges on my immigration story, culture sharing and the intangibles of our inner worlds. Glass is such a magical material—it’s fluid, it’s fragile, but it’s dynamic. It reflects my journey and the experiences of many others who have moved to a new place and are trying to find their way.”

Sacha’s artistic process is rooted in traditional techniques, such as the Tiffany foil method—a method for making stained glass that uses thin copper foil wrapped around the edges of glass pieces. “Craftsmanship is generational and often exclusive. There are so few people of color in glasswork—I want to help change that.” With this, Sacha brings a fresh and vibrant perspective that resonates with a younger, more diverse audience.

“I do get a lot of customers who moved here when they were young, or their parents were first-generation immigrants,” she notes. Her work is especially beloved by the Asian American and immigrant communities in New York City, who have played a crucial role in supporting her business. “The connection I get from my work is something that I can’t discount,” she says. Sacha highlights the importance of creating pieces that feel like home, particularly for those whose roots are far away, like her Lucky Shrimp Suncatchers—a nod to Chinese culture, where the word for shrimp sounds like the word for laughter. Eating shrimp is associated with liveliness and happiness.