Carol grew up in an artisan household where mom did needlepoint and dad was an engraver and scuplter. She self-taught additional skills from books and experimentation, and later took courses from reputed artists. Carol works in a variety of media including: watercolor and acrylic painting, drawing, paper sculpture, sewing, puppet making, embroidery, knitting, crocheting, jewelry, stained glass, and yes, even basket making. Over the last few years she has concentrated on glasswork, once she got hooked on the joy of combining color and texture.

Carol has generously sponsored stained glass pieces for the Coast Guard Auxiliary (American Eagle 2008), the Bena Benefit (A Dish of Hope 2009), the Onalaska Foundation for Educational Excellence (A Girl in the Woods 2009, and HOPE 2010), and La Crosse Mardi Gras (Someday My Prince Will Come 2007). She collaborated with City of Onalaska Mike Giese in 2009 to produce "A Sunny Supper" for the Centering Onalaska Dishin’ Art fundraiser.

She constructed wall murals of the sea and beach which adorn her home. These were highlighted in the La Crosse Hometown Section shortly after she moved to La Crosse in 1999, from Chicago. In her spare time, she has been providing costume and set designs to Saint Patrick School musicals and Holmen High School Show Choir, where her children attend school. Midwest Magic with bright red suitcases in 2008, was one of her favorite creations. A recent challenge was building Columbus’ ship for a Renaissance Christmas 2009 show, while sewing peasant and royalty outfits.

Carol primarily teaches Environmental Education and Science Methods at the University of Wisconsin - La Crosse. She also runs the After School Program at Saint Patrick’s School in Onalaska where she tries to incorporate her art skills and environmental experience into teaching.

 

After completing a business class at UWL, she officially registered her business in 2009 as CAWS ART CREATIONS LLC. She hopes to provide a wide variety of art work, with glass as her specialty. She produces stained glass jewelry, boxes and panels, and mosaics. She provides customized works including names or word panels. She enjoys making $10 items as much as she does artwork that sells for several hundred dollars. Prices depend on the size, complexity and glass materials used. See some of her work on display the Gallery La Crosse, La Crosse, Wisconsin.