About MeltedElements.com and Dana Smith

"I am captivated by the melting of the glass and the challenge to make it become the shape it was meant to be. "

Me

I always wanted a quote.

Meet the Artist

Hello, my name is Dana. I created the sculptures you are currently viewing.

Way back when, I remember as a child playing 'business office' with a friend and my Mom's bill paying trash. Remember how great those carbon papers were? We were around 5 years old. She wanted to be a banker. She asked what I was going to be. I wanted to say, "an artist". I had heard the 'starving artist' phrase too many times. I didn't want to admit my desire so I said I was a business woman. I guess I was blessed with being both.

I ended up taking every art course I could get into, including weaving, figure drawing, pottery, oil painting, graphic design, pen and ink illustration, water color and sculpture. Art makes my heart sing.

The melting glass thing really kicked in when I was dirt poor and had 2 kids. I needed a job. I watched a glass blowing documentary on T.V. Then I got a free issue of Bead and Button. Loren Stump just happened to be the featured artist. His work is incredible. I thought to myself, "I can't do that but I could make something. Then I can move onto glass blowing."

When I first began back in 1993, no one in my area would give lessons or give any hints on how to do things. I ended up doing everything wrong. Yet, I had a desperate desire to make glass art. I could taste it. I found Cindy Jenkins book, "You Can Make Glass Beads". (www.hotheadglass.com) It was a huge help. At that time, people were telling me to get a real job. How sad if I had.

I was in Oregon and it was winter. I would put the kids to bed and bundle up for torch time. I wore many layers and my Dad's fur lined boots. I stayed out at my tiny work space, in my Dad's shop, until I was too cold, too tired or it was so cold that the glass wouldn't melt all the way, with my little torch. (about 42 degrees)

I made buckets of beads and they didn't sell. I couldn't even give them away. Then one night I was praying about something. I wish I could remember what. Anyhow, an image of a flower bead appeared in my mind. I wondered how I would make this bead. Surprisingly, an answer came to mind. I disagreed with the answer. The next night I tried making the bead the way I thought it would be done. It didn't work. I lost a little hope in making the bead but I tried making the bead 'the answers' way, and there it was. It had worked! It was the bead I had seen in my mind. I went on to make many of those beads and variations of the design. Soon I was selling to a number of stores in Oregon and California.

It has been many years since the first time I lit a torch. I have tried glass blowing. I like it but I still prefer my torch. There are so many more designs, shapes and color combinations, in my mind, left to try. I am so thankful for art. It is one of my favorite things in life.
I love creating art that is fun for people to look at. I enjoy making the creations and how they each have their own little personality. The moments when I watch someone connect with one of my creations because it reminds them of their pet, or just captures their heart, is one of my favorite things to experience. At that instant the creation process comes full circle.

As a little girl, in Oregon, with long braids and a pony, I was convinced that I would be an artist. Maybe it was the love for my multi colored striped pants. I have studied all kinds of art, took every art class I could get into and somehow landed on melting glass or lampwork. I have a degree in illustration and have yet to take a class in lampwork. Maybe someday. Glass work is such an obsession to me. I am blessed with a career that gives me joy and goes on to give joy to others. I can't picture my life without it.

I hope that my unique work gives you smiles for years to come. After all, I made it just for you.

My sister Deb & I in an Iowa corn field