While she says she is new to crafts – she’s been doing stained glass only about two years – Clarie Cresto’s home and garden in Calico Rock both offer abundant evidence of her creativity.
A vine-covered arbor and overflowing flower pots frame the entrance to Claire’s studio, a renovated garage separate from the house.
Her yard features extensive landscaping that includes a koi pond feature, as well as a traditional garden surrounded by a high fence to protect it from critters. Claire is a Master Gardener and also maintains the garden at the Calico Rock Museum.
Inside, Jim and Claire have filled the house with examples of their handiwork and creative energy, including extensive woodwork that he did himself, as well as an antique stained glass window that she restored.
The window is one of two that Claire acquired and which belonged to Pearl Starr, a bordello owner in Fort Smith and daughter of the notorious Belle Starr.
The windows came to Claire in very poor condition, but she was able to save most of the original glass and restore them to good condition.
Claire is one of two new artists on this year’s Off the Beaten Path Studio Tour, set for Sept. 13-15.
See the full story and more photos in the Aug. 28, 2019 issue.
Comments
No comments on this item Please log in to comment by clicking here