Artist Lorna Bluestein, center, talks with shoppers in front of her booth at the Cape Coral Farmer’s Market early this Spring. Bluestein said she will be back at the Farmer’s Market in the Fall. -CASEY BRADLEY GENT / FLORIDA WEEKLY

What is liquid, made of two equal parts and as hard as nails? The answer to this riddle is also a form of art. And, for the last clue, what is smooth as glass? The answer: Epoxy. In local studios and even fine estates, epoxy has made its way onto everything from charcuterie boards and shell place settings to decorative fireplaces and glamorous busts. For Christa Wilm, a legendary creator in West Pam Beach, Lorna Bluestein, owner of Art in the Cape, and partner friends Stephanie Piazza and Ashleigh Poirier, owners of Naples Resin Workshops, epoxy is the magic.

“If you are creating art – and I am creating art of heirloom quality – two-part epoxy is the product you must use,” Wilm explained. “But we all use epoxy a little bit differently. And my artist secrets lie in the mixing of the epoxy and the chemical reaction.”

So, let’s get right to it. In the simplest of terms, epoxy is clear glue. It is stronger than resin. Setting – or solidifying epoxy – requires a chemical reaction between two parts. According to creator Stephanie Piazza, “The best thing about using epoxy is that you can use it on almost anything!

A shell fireplace in Cape Cod, MA crafted by Christa Wilm. -CHRISTA WILM / COURTESY PHOTO

An Apollo bust crafted by Christa Wilm. -CHRISTA WILM / COURTESY PHOTO

Natural sunlight pours into Christa’s South Seashells Atelier, a categorically mystical studio and shop on Belvedere Road in West Palm Beach. Half of the space is a workshop, while the other half is retail space. Here, Wilm’s two dachshunds rest on cozy beds in front of one elaborate glass case. Wilm has been designing jewelry and décor from seashells for more than 30 years. In the workshop side of her studio, a blue hutch is overloaded by exotic seashells. “Most of them are imported from the Philippines and Thailand,” Wilm shared. She also revealed that many shell collectors, or their children, have sold their collections to her. “One lady called me,” Wilm said, “and her mother had been a diver. I bought that collection; lovely shells which the collector had beautifully labeled with the location where she was diving when she found each of them.”

Wilm designs her shell creations like a confident chess player moves her queen. Each shell is strategically placed and purposefully positioned. Last week, above Wilm’s worktable, a massive chandelier embellished with countless shells was taking shape.

Christa Wilm is a legendary designer who uses epoxy to keep her creations intact for many generations. -CHRISTA WILM / COURTESY PHOTO

“I do commercial work,” Wilm stated, plainly. “I cannot afford for the shells to fall off of anything.” Epoxy and the durability of the product are crucial to Wilm’s creations. One part of the chemical reaction is inert, and the second part of the chemical reaction is active. She explained that drying times for epoxy can range from 30 minutes to six hours. Shells are, quite literally, jewels in the crowns of Wilm’s decorative busts, and among the jewels in the crowns of her creations are an Apollo bust in the Palm Beach home of designer Tommy Hilfiger and a shell fireplace in Boca Grande’s Gasparilla Inn. If you find yourself in West Palm Beach, be sure to look up Christa Wilm. During the summer, her studio hours will be 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesday through Friday.

Make it yourself

For hands-on experiences with epoxy, several businesses in Southwest Florida provide classes and workshops. One such business is Art in the Cape, owned by former Ida Baker art teacher Lorna Bluestein. “There are three things that drive me,” Bluestein explained. “Teaching, art and retail. With my studio, I get to practice all three things.” Bluestein has a fine arts degree from Indiana University. However, when it comes to epoxy, she is self-taught.

In Cape Coral, if you have seen charcuterie boards embellished with ocean waves and a glassy finish, you may have seen Bluestein’s work. While offering workshops in the technique, she also sells her items at the Cape Coral Farmer’s Market and inside Art in the Cape. “The thing I like best about epoxy is that no two creations are ever the same,” she said. Because of Bluestein’s art background, she can paint specialty pieces – sailboats being one of her most popular subjects – and finish the artwork with an epoxy coating. Like Wilm, Bluestein is reticent to share either the maker of her two-part epoxy or the recipe she uses.

“I use either a tabletop coating of epoxy or a deep cast (of epoxy),” she explained. The deep cast mixture is for any project that will have an epoxy coating more than half an inch deep. Some of the finished trays Bluestein offers at the Farmer’s Market are layered with tiny trinkets, old keys and buttons. These items would be considered deep cast epoxy. The trays can be used for carrying drinks or books. The epoxy finish hides a treasure of goodies sealed beneath the glossy coating. Hiding treasures is one of Bluestein’s trademark techniques.

“If someone has an idea, I am happy to help them bring it to life,” she grinned. For class details and inspiration visit: www.artinthecapeGallery.com

An epoxy coated tray, by Lorna Bluestein, on display at the Cape Coral Farmer’s Market. -CASEY BRADLEY GENT / FLORIDA WEEKLY

A few of Bluestein’s unique cutting boards on display at the Cape Coral Farmer’s Market. -CASEY BRADLEY GENT / FLORIDA WEEKLY

From hobby to full-blown business

In Naples, friends Stephanie Piazza and Ashleigh Poirier decided to turn their epoxy hobby into an epoxy business. While Wilm and Bluestein use the term epoxy, Piazza and Poirier use the term resin. Bluestein explained that epoxy and resin are difficult to identify separately. “Epoxy is the name of an ingredient, as well as the end product of epoxy resin manufacturing,” Bluestein shared. One identifiable difference between the two is that resin does not harden as quickly as epoxy. Also, “Water and resin aren’t really friends,” Piazza shared. For shell products and charcuterie boards with a glossy finish, it may be hard for the untrained eye to differentiate between epoxy and resin. In some cases, the term epoxy resin is used. Keep in mind, resin is the broad category, and epoxy is a high-performing, crystal-clear sub-category of resin. Piazza explained that she and partner Poirier use the highest grade of certified food-safe resin, and that while one may rinse the resin pieces off with water, “our charcuterie boards and shell place-settings should never go in the dishwasher.” The art created and sold by the pair should, however, go on display.

“If you have an idea, we can make anything,” Piazza said, daringly. “In the retail section of Naples Resin Workshops, one might find a clock or even an epoxy turtle enhanced by a geode. “It is always different.” You can schedule a resin party or workshop by visiting: naplesresinworkshops.com/

Shell place settings crafted by Stephanie Piazza and Ashleigh Poirier. -STEPHANIE PIAZZA / COURTESY PHOTO

While we answered the riddle, what is two parts, hard as nails and smooth as glass, one thing remained perfectly clear: epoxy. With all the power of glue and the strength of cement, epoxy remains entirely see-through. The question now is, what will you bring to the creative table to coat with clear perfection?

IN The KNOW:

Christa’s South Seashells – 728 Belvedere Road, West Palm Beach – (561)655-4650

This studio, featuring home décor and shell jewelry, is open from 11:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Christa prefers you schedule a consultation before visiting to discuss a unique design.

Naples Resin Workshops– 5309 Shirley Street, Naples – (516)885-0470

Shop – Create – Design. Clients can learn to make décor like resin coasters and trays or purchase premade delights. Both options are available.

ART in THE CAPE– 1625 SE 47th Terrace #2, Cape Coral – (239)233-5662

Schedule a private lesson, participate in a class or purchase something handmade from the gift shop. Open noon to 5:00 p.m. daily. Closed Tuesdays.

A corner of the shell fireplace created by Cnrista Wilm at The Gasparilla on Boca Grande. -CHRISTA WILM / COURTESY PHOTO

Resin creations by Naples Resin Workshops. -STEPHANIE PIAZZA / COURTESY PHOTO