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June's Featured Alumnus: Ingrid (Conklin '02) Baron
June 07, 2019
Founder, Fifth Element Beads, LLC
BA in Fine Art, Azusa Pacific University, 2002
Special Education certification, Southern CT State University 2006
Masters in Learning and Thinking, The Graduate Institute 2017
Professional CT teaching certification in k-12 Special Education
Published art in Fairfield Magazine
When I entered my sophomore year of college at APU I was struggling and had no major.
My dad told me, “just major in something you love. Don’t worry about what you’ll do
after college. What matters is that you get a college degree and study something you
love will help you do that.” It was simple, but some of the best advice I ever got.
After graduating from college with an art degree, I began a career in merchandising
and display design. I then became a certified special education teacher in 2005. I
was able to apply my creative problem solving skills to develop curriculum and instruction
for unique learners. It wasn’t until I had my daughter in 2009 that I realized I couldn’t
raise a child in a home without art and I began making more room in my life for creative
art-making outside of my job. That was the game changer for me.
I currently teach at a small alternative high school where I am a special education
teacher and case manager as well as an art teacher. Our school’s curriculum is based
on a creative project-based learning model. I consult with our general education teachers
regularly to support them and our students in taking a creative approach to learning.
In addition, we teach mindfulness to help support our population of students who are
primarily identified as students with emotional disturbances and behavioral challenges.
Additionally, I have started my own jewelry business, Fifth Element Beads. With my
ceramics experience at APU and some consultation with my APU mentor, Sue Ney, I began
pit firing clay beads to make my jewelry. My mission is not just to make handmade
jewelry, but to promote mindfulness.
My unique career is one of my own design. As a senior art student at APU I was required
to read the book “Creating a Life Worth Living” by Carol Lloyd. It was because of
this book and the insistence of my art professors that I learned to create my own
career that included my own art making. I use this book with my students to encourage
them to forge their own creative path just the way my art professors at APU encouraged
me to do the same.
When I joined the art department my sophomore year, I became a part of a small community
that supported me creatively and spiritually with no judgement. Our frequent barbecues
were an experience I’ll never forget. We created art together which is always a powerful
experience. But, as Bill Catling explained to us, we also broke bread together which
connected us in a simple but deep way. We became family.
I will reiterate to students what my dad told me - study what you love, and what my professors taught me - always make room for art.
When I traveled 3,000 miles away from home to attend college I was ready for adventure.
I quickly discovered that I was not a person cut out for this kind of adventure. I
missed home. I didn’t fit in Southern California, I didn’t fit in at APU. But, I was
so glad I stuck it out because I found the support I needed in the art department.
Through my business, Fifth Element Beads, I’ve been able to raise money for breast
cancer research, Selective Mutism, Be The Match (national bone marrow registry) and
The American Heart Association. Each month we create a fundraiser bracelet for charity.
Additionally, when I started Fifth Element Beads I was so moved by the support of
friends and strangers. The success of my business, thanks to this support, has allowed
me to start a college fund for my daughter - something I never thought I’d do as a
single parent. As a result, I started a Fifth Element Beads scholarship to be awarded
to a child of a single parent each year.
I started Fifth Element Beads only a year ago. Shortly after I started the business
my beads got picked up by the FOX hit The Resident. The lead character, Dr. Conrad
Hawkins (played by Matt Czuchry) wears my beads in each episode of season 2. In addition,
Matt Czuchry has become one of my biggest supporters by purchasing my beads and wearing
them on the red carpet. I am truly grateful to the many people who have supported
me on my creative endeavors.