Clinton glass artist’s work to be featured on national TV

Glassworker Dennis Meszaros is buzzing with enthusiasm over one of his latest projects. The Clinton resident recently assisted with the build of a honeycomb-shaped treehouse in Woodinville, Wash., as a part of Animal Planet’s TV series “Treehouse Masters.”

Glassworker Dennis Meszaros is buzzing with enthusiasm over one of his latest projects.

The Clinton resident recently assisted with the build of a honeycomb-shaped treehouse in Woodinville, Wash., as a part of Animal Planet’s TV series “Treehouse Masters.”

Meszaros, who has been working with glass for over 20 years, operates his glassworking business out of his home studio in Clinton. For the show, he completed the entry door, door fixtures and cabinets for the house using hand-blown glass.

“I feel very fortunate,” Meszaros said of working on the show. “It was a really beautiful experience.”

The episode will air Jan. 29 on Animal Planet.

The show follows treehouse master builder and Washington resident Pete Nelson and his crew as they tour the country building spectacular canopy abodes for individuals looking for extra play space or a place to hide away.

“It’s a great family show. It’s funny, it’s quirky, it’s silly,” said Meszaros. “But the end result is the beauty of this amazing structure they built in the tree.”

The show’s website contains a calendar, where those in the market for a tree-top home may select an available slot in hopes of receiving a visit from Nelson and the crew. Some slots are designated to be televised, others are not.

The Woodinville house is owned by Alison and Donald Farmer. Alison Farmer, an artist with a garden full of quirky and creative pieces, has a respect and love of bees, believing them to be an integral part of the ecosystem. The honeycomb-shaped treehouse represents her entomological affinity as well as her creative personality, with many unique elements in interior design which complement the surrounding outdoor artwork.


Some of the treehouses span two or more trees and are quite large, with the largest to date scaling 750 square feet. The Woodinville house is smaller, and sits in a single tree.

“It’s a place for an artist to go and escape,” said Meszaros.

The “Treehouse Masters” team includes builders, carpenters and interior designers, and employs local professionals to help with certain aspects of the builds.

“They’re like a traveling gypsy caravan that travels from state to state building these amazing treehouses,” Meszaros said. “They’re all a family. They made me feel very welcome.”

Meszaros’ friend recommended him for the job. He credits both his craftsmanship and personable nature for his hire, and said he is still in contact with several of the crew members with whom he became friends.

It was especially exciting for him and his family, he said, because they have been fans of the show since it first aired in May 2013. It also afforded him the opportunity to show his kids that what he does for a living can be pretty cool.

“They were stoked,” he said.

For Meszaros, glasswork is as much about creativity and artistry as it is about ensuring the satisfaction and happiness of customers.

“Treehouse Masters” was no different, he said, remarking that Alison Farmer has invited him to join her for tea in the tree.

When not working with treehouse masters, Meszaros creates corporate awards, windows, custom shower enclosures, custom art glass design, fused and cast glass, custom door pulls and “pretty much anything in glass.”