Brooklyn Center Woman’s Craft Sparkles at State Fair
Debra McDonnell specializes in exquisite designs on glass mugs, candy jars and plaques. She operates Debra’s Glasscraft in Brooklyn Center and has been a hit at the State Fair.
Over the past 40 years, McDonnell taught herself how to etch pictures of loved ones as well as cars, homes and motorcycles on glass. She has traveled around the country and offered her goods and service at fairs, but now she mainly works at the State Fair. She sells her items during the holidays at Maplewood Mall.
One of her most challenging projects was a 10-foot window that she completed for a doctor in Canada.
An Austrian glass cutter trained McDonnell in the glass cutting craft back in the 1970s. When he went back to Austria, the apprentice purchased the equipment and started her business.
McDonnell enjoys the craft, but she likes the people she meets more.
“I like people,” said McDonnell. “I like to talk to people and find out what they like.”
If you want to find McDonnell at the State Fair, she’s located in the northwest corner of the Grandstand.
If you want to learn more about McDonnell, follow her Facebook page.
