Today we’d like to introduce you to Theresa Charpentier.
Hi Theresa, we’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
I was going to school for my undergrad and we took our Myers-Briggs. My results showed that I was strong on the right side brain while the rest of my class was strong on the left side. They teased me and I decided to take a stained glass bird class. I did not think it was a great looking bird…but a year later I asked for a fused glass kiln and from there I self taught. I did the art show circuit for many years. That was hard work!
I was a natural crafter from my youth as a Camp Fire Girl. I found such joy working with people, training, and engaging in their personal growth. My life’s journey has been centered on customer service, building confidence in others and servant leadership.
Today, I’m a Professional Teaching Artist with 25 years of fused, mosaic, and stained glass experience. My mission is to share the joy and creativity of fused glass. I have a studio above the barn on 5 acres with cherry and apple trees. I have 6 kilns. I conduct reasonably priced fused glass classes with 7 Community Education districts, private events and commission work while providing a fun and learning environment to many wonderful people.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
The struggles were balancing all of the priorities of life like career, family, school and earning additional income for the family.
Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
In my artist journey, I started working in stained glass, glass mosaics and moved to lampworking (torchwork). I tried to sell these items to make some extra cash at art events. It was a slow process with not much success.
Then I went into fused glass. It was exciting and such a great, meditative outlet. I started making fused glass pendants. I recall an art show where people were buying the pendant I had on…one after another…it was a bit of a frenzy. Exciting! That started to plateau and I moved into utilitarian pieces like plates and bowls.
Today, it is all about whimsy, garden and charcuterie! All my classes are focused on building glass cutting and design confidence and having joy and creativity working with your hands. What sets me apart would be my patience and music. Many times people comment on my patience. As a yoga and sound bath practitioner, these skills support that balance and calm in my teaching. And lots of music!
My return rate at the classes is around 25%. I feel so honored and humbled that people trust me, have fun creating and enjoying the fused glass art experience.
What do you like best about our city? What do you like least?
I grew up in St. Paul, MN. In the Highland Park – Macallaster Groveland area. Today, I live in Hastings, MN a historical river city south of St. Paul. Still an easy drive to get into the city to see family.
I like that both are on the Mississippi river. I love the water and the parks and walking the river. Living in busy cities can be chaotic and the escape to the nature areas on the river are abundant, calming, reflective and inspire creativity.
Pricing:
- Private and community education fused glass events and classes. Costs can run from $54 pp to $140pp dependant on the project.
- I also do birthday parties, book club, clogging groups, bible camps. We can custom design a cost effective, fun and joyful time.
- Currently published in 7 Community Ed’s. Hastings, MN, Prescott, WI, Red Wing, MN, River Falls, WI, Ellsworth, WI, District 196 (Apple Valley/Eagan), MN, Burnsville, MN, Stillwater, MN and South Washington County, MN. Classes are published and available to all!
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.in-fusionglass.com
- Facebook: infusionglassartist
