Today we’d like to introduce you to Linda Carlson.
Hi Linda, we’re thrilled to have a chance to learn your story today. So, before we get into specifics, maybe you can briefly walk us through how you got to where you are today?
I have always had a great interest in stained glass. I loved being in churches, old bank buildings, college buildings where you could sit and see the story being told with many colors of glass. I promised myself that someday I was going to learn how to do this art form.
As time went by we moved to Winona, MN. Winona is known as the “Stained Glass Capital of the U.S.” due to its rich history of producing and housing several stained glass studios. Little did I know anything about Winona’s history but I knew that I was in paradise.
The first years living in Winona found me being mom to two kids and working full time as a child protection worker. I knew I would have to put my dream on the back burner. Time went by and the kids were growing up so I thought I would give glass work a try. Since I still was working and the kids were still at home my glass work became weekend work. I eventually was able to learn the process starting with taking a community ed. class to learn the basics. I then self taught and learned from other artists, books, and just practicing the steps. I started doing special orders and working on inventory for art fairs throughout the year. That is what I do now.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
As with any activity and sales of products expenses have increased greatly. I think artists have to set reasonable prices for their products. If you charge too much your sales might be less but you can’t charge so much that potential customers move on. On the other hand you do want to earn something for your work and expenses. One of the biggest challenges I face each year is the weather. I participate in many art fairs throughout the year, most between April and December. Most fairs are outside so weather is very important. I have been in fairs when rain, snow, wind, sleet and high temps and humidity move in. This easily helps turn my hair silver.
Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
I got my degree in Social Work. I started working at Winona County Human Services in 1973 and worked there for 35 years. I worked with families who were hoping to adopt a child, I did home studies for them and got them registered on the adoption exchange. It was very exciting to have a child placed with a waiting family. I also worked with adolescent parents helping to get services into the home so they could finish school, connect with service providers and any other services to have success.. There also are young parents who decide to place the baby for adoption for a variety of reasons. I worked with them to get the court process and placement completed.
The majority of my time was spent working in child protection. I worked with families where there had been a substantiated case of neglect or physical abuse. there are many facets of protection work but the end goal is to make sure the child/children are safe and the parents have worked on the issues that led to the abuse. I would often times think about my glass work and use the beauty of the colors to deal with the stress I might feel on aspects of my cases.
When I retired I was asked by the courts to become a court visitor. I would serve guardianship and/or conservatorship petitions on folks who for various reasons needed someone to help with life events. I enjoyed it because it kept me somewhat in the realm of social work. I did this for 15 years then I moved on to stained glass which keeps me very busy in my retirement.
I do cold work with glass meaning I don’t work with fusing glass in a kiln. I do a variety of categories including sun catchers, larger abstract designs, window insets, lamps and other styles. I enjoy working with customers in creating a design that is what they specifically want. It is important to create the style, design, size, and colors that are very important to the customer. I want my pieces to be able to tell a story, be of a memory or to just create a colorful, peaceful work of art.
We’d be interested to hear your thoughts on luck and what role, if any, you feel it’s played for you?
I feel that I was very lucky to move to the Stained Glass Capital of the U.S. without any knowledge of that designation. Who knew? After my community ed class I found some people who had shops or taught classes and had inventory of what I might need. There were several folks in the area who I could ask questions and get advice from when needed. I have had good luck with customers who become return customers. That is wonderful. I enjoy working with customers to design a piece specific for their window or wherever they are looking to put a piece.
I have been lucky to have several grandchildren who have learned the process of making stained glass pieces with me. It is fun to visit at their homes and see their pieces hanging in their windows.
The bad luck issue is coming with age. I have been using these hands of mine for a long time. As long as I can do massage, warm hand soaks and cortisone shots I will be doing my glasswork as long as I can. I refer to it as my therapy.
Contact Info:
- Facebook: GlasverksbyLinda
