Many artists point to some event as a turning point in their life, and for Teresa Howard it was a gift she received nearly 20 years ago. Someone gave her a faux stained glass piece, and she stated, “I could do that with the real stuff.” Asking her husband to buy her the materials and supplies as an anniversary present, she proceeded to do just that. Her hobby has now turned into a passion, one that she now shares with others. Having sold her first piece 10 years ago at the Cumberland Mountain Fall Festival, she now has sold over 200 pieces locally, not including her commissioned peices.

As a juried exhibitor of the Kentucky Appalachian Artisan Center, Hindman, KY, she is now offering to anyone her highly crafted and beautiful stained glass pieces. While the majority of her work is of original design, she is fully capable of recreating the pieces found in several pattern books. Teresa is also a juried member of the Sheltowee Artisans Guild in Somerset, KY.

Beginning with an idea, she proceeds to draw it out on paper, and using this as a pattern, she then cuts out the glass pieces, grinds them to fit, and then completes the design through a number of different processes.

Teresa does do commissioned pieces, she work closely with clients to ensure accuracy and customer satisfaction. Using several different types of glass, Teresa can also meet the needs of the various tastes of clients.

Teresa is also available to do repair work on existing stained glass pieces; however, some glass may no longer be available for repair or replacement. These requests will have to be assessed on an individual basis.

Some of the items she currently creates are boxes, hummingbird feeders, lamps, owls, picture frames and angels. However, she will work with clients to create specialized orders. Due to the amount of time required to make some pieces, there may be a waiting period until the project is completed.