Turtle Creek Studio was inspired by the beautiful stained glass lamps and windows that were created by my father and the desire to continue his legacy. His extreme patience, attention to detail and dedication to the craft will always be remembered.

Carol Froeming, Turtle Creek Studio

Excepts from an article about Turtle Creek Studio

Sun Publications, July 26, 2002
OUT & ABOUT SECTION
LOCAL ARTISAN by Michael Kapelias, Staff Writer

Some people get their dad's sense of humor. Others might get their dad's nose. Carol Froeming? She inheritied her father's love of stained glass.

Froeming's father had always been interested in stained glass, and when he retired she got him a gift of a 12 week introductory stained glass course. When her father got interested in something, Froeming said, he went after it full throttle - and she has several of his elaborate creations in her house to prove it.

A reservation agent for Eastern Airlines, when her dad started working with stained glass, Froeming would spend many of her days off with him in his workshop. He was working with stained glass until his death, 15 years ago. When he died, Froeming inherited all the tools from his workshop.

A few years went by before she dived into the hobby with the same fervor as her father. But now she's into stained glass deeper than her dad ever was. Her husband of 34 years, used to have a workshop in the couple's home. It's since been taken over by Carol's Turtle Creek Studio. The room is crowded with an assortment of lamp stands, a multihued collection of glass pieces, chemicals and designs for stained glass pieces that she's both sketched and purchased.

She's been selling her work for a couple of years and started doing so throught her web site last August, most of the glass she uses comes from specialty glass stores. The stands that she uses for her lamps come from a variety of place, from antique store to lighting shops to flea markets.

It's fitting. Like her work, her house has a southwestern feel to it, from the living furniture to their granddaughter's antique twin bed frames decorated with Conestogo wagons.

Why does the southwest theme figure so prominently in your work?
We vacationed in the West when I was a child and I remember the beauty and excitment of it. I loved it and always wanted to be a cowgirl.

Where did the name Turtle Creek come from?
I have a marketing background and was brainstorming for a name...Coyote Pass, Dogwood Junction. I came up with Turtle Creek and knew it was just right.

Is it difficult to convince people to pay more for a stained glass piece of better quality?
It's tough to sell. I just don't know what people are thinking. The world today is a disposable place. I have wonderful antiques from my family and others that I collect that are unique and one of a kind. I guess people think if they buy a inexpensive lamp and the kids knock it over or the dog breaks it, then they're only out $150. I want to give people something they will enjoy for their lifetime and be able to pass on to their families.

Had you done much artistically before you got interested in stained glass?
I've always done something creative. I've done Tole painting, Japanese grass painting and Norweign Rosemaling. I crochet, sew decorative pillows, as well as maintain extensive flower garden, which are just as creative as other artwork that I've ever done.

What's the most difficult aspect of working with stained glass for a beginner?
It's very intimidating at first, you're afraid to cut and break glass. Afraid of doing it the wrong way and afraid of getting cut. I think people look at stained glass and think they'll never be able to do that type of work. It's something that has to learned over time, very slowly. In the end it is extremely rewarding.