STOW - As Jennifer Claypoole is busy preparing an order of her painted glass giftware, 16-month-old Kira is toddling around the room, cheerful as can be. These are good times for the 26-year-old mother and blossoming artist.

The last few months have been busy and productive for Claypoole.

The Stow woman has been using the ``One Stroke'' painting technique she learned in a series of classes at Jo-Ann Fabrics and Crafts in February to paint colorful fruits, flowers and other designs on a variety of surfaces, but mostly on clear glass -- flower vases and wine glasses, for instance.

Her work has been accepted at the Country Sampler in Hudson, and she has already participated in several arts and craft shows. More are scheduled for coming months.

In a way, Claypoole can thank Kira for her new home-based business.

On April 18, 2002, Kira was born prematurely, weighing 1 pound, 9 ounces.

``She was the size of a can of Coke,'' said Claypoole. ``She was blue and barely had a heart rate.''

Claypoole had developed toxemia (also called pre-enclampsia) during her pregnancy. Symptoms included high blood pressure, swelling and excessive weight gain. The baby had to be taken early.

After a 10-week stay at Akron Children's Hospital, Kira came home -- weighing 5 pounds, 1 ounce. But Kira's doctors gave Claypoole the order to stay housebound for nearly a year, as the baby's immune system was still fragile and susceptible to viruses.

Claypoole's mother-in-law, Christie Claypoole, encouraged her to find a ``creative outlet'' and signed them both up for the classes at Jo-Ann.

Claypoole was immediately hooked on the ``One Stroke'' painting technique, developed and marketed nationwide by artist Donna Dewberry.

``I guess what I liked about it was the fact that I could actually do it,'' said Claypoole. ``It's very addictive.''

The phrase ``One Stroke'' refers to the practice of dipping the paintbrush into two -- and sometimes three -- colors to get a subtle blending effect.

Claypoole demonstrated by dipping one corner of her small brush into yellow paint. Then she carefully dipped the other corner into orange. She called this ``loading up.''

She took a practice stroke on a Styrofoam plate to barely blend the colors. Then she took her first semicircular stroke. With a second stroke, she had the body of a pumpkin. The leaves at the top of the pumpkin were created using a smaller brush and the combination of green and white paint.

Once Claypoole learned the technique, she began painting baby food jars -- a recyclable she had in abundance -- with flowers. She poured wax into them and began selling her small jar candles.

She moved onto larger glass pieces, buying bud vases, ivy bowls and any other items at craft stores, discount stores and yard sales.

Before Kira's birth, Claypoole worked as a nurse's aide at the Laurel Lake Retirement Community in Hudson, and her former colleagues save for her the glass flower vases that accumulate there. Parishioners at her church save baby food jars for her now that Kira has moved on to eating table food.

Mom, meanwhile, has moved on to bigger things -- she's getting large orders for weddings, such as painted glass bowls used as centerpieces, and she has begun to paint furniture.

For more information about custom orders for weddings or special occasions, visit her Web site at http://www.CraftsByJen.com/.