Artist ~ Liz Helwig ~ Providence

Artist’s name:  Liz Helwig
Shop name:  Nantucket Mosaic
Website:  www.etsy.com/shop/NantucketMosaic 

1. Tell us about your work: 
My two passions are Stained Glass Art and Mosaic Art. I create stained glass lamps, ornaments, and suncatchers using the Tiffany technique. I also create mosaics in the Pique Assiette style which utilizes broken china. I’m now combining my two loves, stained glass meets broken china, to create unique ornaments.  My love affair with vintage china now has me creating jewelry too.

2. Is there a story behind the name of your business?  
Many moons ago, I went to Nantucket with a group of friends to work hard and play hard.  I worked hard as a server and stashed away as much as I could. This enabled me to take time off, travel, and learn my craft!  I spent a winter at Amherst Mass and stumbled upon The Glass Castle Stained Glass Studio. I took a class, then another, and another. I was hooked! While learning stained glass, I was introduced to mosaics and wanted to learn more. Over the next couple of winters, I studied with various artists in New York City and also in Connecticut. I was REALLY hooked at that point! I lived and worked in Nantucket for many years where it all began and so Nantucket Mosaic was born. 😊

3. How did you come to be a professional artist/crafter/designer? 
My degree is in Human Services but ever since high school, I have always loved working with my hands. When I first started creating my mosaics, I received a wonderful response from the Nantucket Community. I sold my work in shops, participated in art shows, and hung my work at the Sconset Café. This was the much-needed fuel to the fire! Since then, I’ve experienced a bit of an ebb and flow in the last 20 years. I have not been able to do my craft full-time yet but I always have a part-time gig going on working in the same field.  I am currently working with Alan Metnick, fabricating his designs in glass. Last year, I apprenticed with Joe Danella “the birdman”  learning the craft of making birdhouses.  

4. Where do you draw your inspiration?  
From everything really. It’s interesting because you start looking at things and saying “Oh, I wonder how that would look in glass!” I also get a lot of inspiration from the vintage china I collect, the patterns, the history, the sentiment, all contribute to my creations.

5. I really dig your mixed ceramic and stained glass ornaments. Can you tell us about the process?  

Well, it all started with a Russian Doll stained glass suncatcher.  I wanted to dress it up a bit but knew that glass paints would not fit the bill!  Beautiful china patterns, I thought, why not! My ornaments are made using the Tiffany technique. I cut and grind each piece of glass and china, wrap in copper foil, and solder. I then clean, patina, wax, and they are ready to go!  

6. What’s your favorite item to create?  

This is a tough question as I have quite a few favorites.  One of them is my Stained Glass Pyramid Table Lamp.  I love that you can enjoy the beauty of the glass during the day and the soft warm glow at night. There is something special about seeing your design and work illuminated.

7. What’s your best seller?  
My state ornaments are pretty popular.  Who doesn’t love a reminder of home or a souvenir of their favorite place?  I’ve done Rhode Island, New York, Cape Cod, and Nantucket so far but I can create any state, just ask!

8. How long have you been in Rhode Island?  
I officially moved here in 2016.

9. What do you {heart} about Rhode Island?   
Oh geez, what’s not to love?? The water, the people, the food, the creativity!  

10.  Favorite place to take out-of-towners?     
Start the day at any of the following: Beavertail Park, Colt State Park, Lincoln Woods, Goddard State Park, Newport Cliff Walk. I then take them to Figidini for pizza, a little WaterFire, and some Pastiche to top it off! 

11. Any advice for new/wannabe makers?   
I try to remind myself of this as much as I can:  “Hold the Vision, Trust the Process” ~ Unknown

12. Please include anything else you’d like to add:  
I really appreciate the opportunity to talk about my work and my passion!  Thank You!