Charles Pressler Jr. is shown working on a new fuse glass creation at his home after finishing his home school classes for the day. The young entrepreneur hopes his artwork will provide money for him to attend college. Charles A. Pressler Jr. never thought a private art class would lead to a job that could eventually pay for college.

The Gaffney resident was simply looking for an art class he could take for an elective course while being a homeschool student taught by his father, Charles, a machinist and former Cherokee Technology Center instructor. The 10th grader began taking art classes in 2003 from Joann Harrison and Kathy Morris at Horsefeathers in Campobello.

Pressler has learned the art of seed beading, fuse glass and is currently learning to make leaf pendants with silver. He is now showing his work at arts and crafts shows in North and South Carolina.

Pressler soon found himself competing against adult artists of the trade for entrance into juried art shows. He is now learning how to design his own jewelry and new techniques for creating quality jewelry such as his recent work with silver.

"He takes pieces with about eight coats of silver on it and

his teachers put them into a kiln at Horsefeathers. Once the silver hardens, the leaf pendants are dipped into acid. The silver changes coloring, depending on how long you leave them in the acid," Pressler Sr. said. "When I see Charles work on his art, I'm just amazed at how it turns out. His artwork ties in directly with what he is learning about in his chemistry, physics and other classes." Pressler is currently selling

his artwork at Jon-Ellen's Flowers and Gifts of Gaffney and at Lu-Lu's in downtown Spartanburg. He has already sold four pieces in the past month and will make a trip next month with the goal of entering the retail art market in Charleston.

"It has developed from an art class into an entrepreneurship," Pressler Sr. said. "Charles hopes to earn enough money to pay for college since he is already in the 10th grade."