{"id":299757,"date":"2026-06-08T10:18:18","date_gmt":"2026-06-08T10:18:18","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/299757\/"},"modified":"2026-06-08T10:18:18","modified_gmt":"2026-06-08T10:18:18","slug":"creativity-that-is-tough-as-nails","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/299757\/","title":{"rendered":"Creativity that is tough as nails"},"content":{"rendered":"

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Artist Lorna Bluestein, center, talks with shoppers in front of her booth at the Cape Coral Farmer\u2019s Market early this Spring. Bluestein said she will be back at the Farmer\u2019s Market in the Fall. -CASEY BRADLEY GENT \/ FLORIDA WEEKLY<\/p>\n

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.\n<\/p>\n

\u201cIf you are creating art \u2013 and I am creating art of heirloom quality \u2013 two-part epoxy is the product you must use,\u201d Wilm explained. \u201cBut we all use epoxy a little bit differently. And my artist secrets lie in the mixing of the epoxy and the chemical reaction.\u201d\n<\/p>\n

So, let\u2019s get right to it. In the simplest of terms, epoxy is clear glue. It is stronger than resin. Setting \u2013 or solidifying epoxy \u2013 requires a chemical reaction between two parts. According to creator Stephanie Piazza, \u201cThe best thing about using epoxy is that you can use it on almost anything!<\/p>\n

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\t\t\t\tA shell fireplace in Cape Cod, MA crafted by Christa Wilm. -CHRISTA WILM \/ COURTESY PHOTO<\/p>\n

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\t\t\t\tAn Apollo bust crafted by Christa Wilm. -CHRISTA WILM \/ COURTESY PHOTO
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Natural sunlight pours into Christa\u2019s 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\u2019s two dachshunds rest on cozy beds in front of one elaborate glass case. Wilm has been designing jewelry and d\u00e9cor from seashells for more than 30 years. In the workshop side of her studio, a blue hutch is overloaded by exotic seashells. \u201cMost of them are imported from the Philippines and Thailand,\u201d Wilm shared. She also revealed that many shell collectors, or their children, have sold their collections to her. \u201cOne lady called me,\u201d Wilm said, \u201cand 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.\u201d\n<\/p>\n

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\u2019s worktable, a massive chandelier embellished with countless shells was taking shape.\n<\/p>\n

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

\u201cI do commercial work,\u201d Wilm stated, plainly. \u201cI cannot afford for the shells to fall off of anything.\u201d Epoxy and the durability of the product are crucial to Wilm\u2019s 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\u2019s 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\u2019s 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.\n<\/p>\n

Make it yourself<\/p>\n

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. \u201cThere are three things that drive me,\u201d Bluestein explained. \u201cTeaching, art and retail. With my studio, I get to practice all three things.\u201d Bluestein has a fine arts degree from Indiana University. However, when it comes to epoxy, she is self-taught.\n<\/p>\n

In Cape Coral, if you have seen charcuterie boards embellished with ocean waves and a glassy finish, you may have seen Bluestein\u2019s work. While offering workshops in the technique, she also sells her items at the Cape Coral Farmer\u2019s Market and inside Art in the Cape. \u201cThe thing I like best about epoxy is that no two creations are ever the same,\u201d she said. Because of Bluestein\u2019s art background, she can paint specialty pieces \u2013 sailboats being one of her most popular subjects \u2013 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.\n<\/p>\n

\u201cI use either a tabletop coating of epoxy or a deep cast (of epoxy),\u201d 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\u2019s 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\u2019s trademark techniques.\n<\/p>\n

\u201cIf someone has an idea, I am happy to help them bring it to life,\u201d she grinned. For class details and inspiration visit: www.artinthecapeGallery.com<\/a><\/p>\n

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\t\t\t\tAn epoxy coated tray, by Lorna Bluestein, on display at the Cape Coral Farmer\u2019s Market. -CASEY BRADLEY GENT \/ FLORIDA WEEKLY
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\t\t\t\tA few of Bluestein\u2019s unique cutting boards on display at the Cape Coral Farmer\u2019s Market. -CASEY BRADLEY GENT \/ FLORIDA WEEKLY
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From hobby to full-blown business<\/p>\n

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. \u201cEpoxy is the name of an ingredient, as well as the end product of epoxy resin manufacturing,\u201d Bluestein shared. One identifiable difference between the two is that resin does not harden as quickly as epoxy. Also, \u201cWater and resin aren\u2019t really friends,\u201d 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, \u201cour charcuterie boards and shell place-settings should never go in the dishwasher.\u201d The art created and sold by the pair should, however, go on display.\n<\/p>\n

\u201cIf you have an idea, we can make anything,\u201d Piazza said, daringly. \u201cIn the retail section of Naples Resin Workshops, one might find a clock or even an epoxy turtle enhanced by a geode. \u201cIt is always different.\u201d You can schedule a resin party or workshop by visiting: naplesresinworkshops.com\/<\/a>\n<\/p>\n

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Shell place settings crafted by Stephanie Piazza and Ashleigh Poirier. -STEPHANIE PIAZZA \/ COURTESY PHOTO<\/p>\n

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?\n<\/p>\n

IN The KNOW:\n<\/p>\n

Christa\u2019s South Seashells \u2013 728 Belvedere Road, West Palm Beach \u2013 (561)655-4650\n<\/p>\n

This studio, featuring home d\u00e9cor 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.\n<\/p>\n

Naples Resin Workshops\u2013 5309 Shirley Street, Naples \u2013 (516)885-0470\n<\/p>\n

Shop \u2013 Create \u2013 Design. Clients can learn to make d\u00e9cor like resin coasters and trays or purchase premade delights. Both options are available.\n<\/p>\n

ART in THE CAPE\u2013 1625 SE 47th Terrace #2, Cape Coral \u2013 (239)233-5662\n<\/p>\n

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.<\/p>\n

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\t\t\t\tA corner of the shell fireplace created by Cnrista Wilm at The Gasparilla on Boca Grande. -CHRISTA WILM \/ COURTESY PHOTO<\/p>\n

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