Got Inspiration?

At some point, every artist is asked about inspiration. It’s a window into the world of the creative process and a chance to see the first step an artist takes. But inspiration is an illusive concept, and there is no magic formula that goes a + b = art. We are all surrounded by inspiration everywhere, but it’s the artist that takes that initial motivation and expands it into an interpretation.

I find the key for me is to be aware of the stimulus going on around me at all times. An architectural detail might catch my eye, or standing in line behind someone wearing a dress with a great color scheme. Perhaps it’s the feel of the wind, the touch of running water or listening to a movement of music. It’s more about learning to take a thought and trying to let it find a place in my art. It’s about keeping my brain out of the way and allowing the idea to find a way to speak to me. We may speak a different language for awhile, but eventually we understand each other, and then the fun begins. It’s a wonderful state of mind when one is so absorbed at something that time travels a different path.

Then again more often than not, it’s the motivation I need, not the inspiration. But that’s a whole other story.

The Art of Flame Working, with Stefani Woodams

All the pieces we sell at Belle Melange encompass multiple art disciplines, one of my favorites being flame working. Our featured artist devoted to flame working is Stefani Woodams. Her creations represent miniature replicas of the life forms she loves most: animals, insects and birds.

Not only has she mastered making these pieces realistic, but also stylish to wear around your neck, dangle from your ears or wrap around your wrist. At Belle Melange, there's a variety of Stefani's glass jewelry to choose from.

On First Friday, July 3rd, Stefani will showcase her best work here at the shop, including her flame worked jewelry, pet pendants, signatured pieces and even some watercolor greeting cards.

One of her specialties is creating custom pendants to replicate pets. I'm always impressed by how closely her pendants resemble the "model" pet, as she incorporates as much of the pet's personality as possible into the piece. These pendants make adorable gifts, and many of them will be on display here on First Friday.

Stefani cares about sharing her craft with others and that includes the process of creating the art. Our First Friday visitors have the opportunity to view the equipment she uses and also learn about her technique.

What Exactly is Flame Working?

Flame working is the process of manipulating glass with heat and then molding the glass during the cooling process.

"It was the Romans who discovered that the fluid property of glass as it cools makes it possible to blow a bubble into the glass and create a vessel. And so glass blowing began," says the Glass Encyclopedia, www.glassencyclopedia.com.

Many artists use ovens, torches or simply an open flame to mold their glass. The glass itself comes in vast varieties, of which artists select depending on the project at hand. Stefani uses Murrini glass rods and torches to manipulate the glass without molds. She relies on her own eye to create her realistic figures.

Come see for yourself First Friday!