We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Lisa Valentine. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Lisa below.

Lisa, thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. We’d love to hear about a project that you’ve worked on that’s meant a lot to you.

I was asked to create ten pieces to celebrate the life of a man who passed away from COVID last year. This man was celebrated in his community and he had gifted my client a beautiful china set.
He was known by several families in this neighborhood and so my client asked me to use my imagination and create various different Garden Flowers, Teacup Bird Feeders and I also created a beautiful totem Bird Bath.
At Christmas she gifted these creations to all the neighbors that new this man as a memento and tribute to his zest for life and love of Mother Nature. I felt so honored to be asked and so by using a piece or two from the china set, I was able to layer together various colors and when I was finished and delivered them to her, she was so pleased and said that she loved them all and thanked me.
For me, to create unique pieces for someone in memory of either a person or memory from the past is such a joy because now you will never forget and you have honored it!

Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.

I upcycle crystal, glass and china and create unique and whimsical garden art. I lost my mother when I was nine but I remember that dinner was the time my four sisters and I would gather around the dinner table and talk about our day. I felt a lot of love at that dinner table and as an adult and having my son, I felt the importance still of that quality time.

With all the electronics today, I sadly see that slipping away and so my goal is to bring the importance and also nostalgia of quality family time back by celebrating the past and present family dynamics. Most of my customers will bring me a piece of their family past, ranging from their Grandmothers old china or tea set, to their mothers glass bird she had in her garden. I have created various pieces ranging from a garden flower, a teacup bird feeder, wall art and also large displays of a totem bird bath. Some of my pieces can hang indoors as wall art but most of them display outside in the garden and make beautiful sun catchers.

I wanted to create a way to honor my mother and her love for gardening while honoring our family time around the dinner table so by using anything from a dinner plate or bowl to even a candy dish that we had as a family long ago, I will forever have that memory and see it, as I enjoy my garden.
I don’t think there are many people that create what I do and so what sets me apart from others is that I’m creating art out of family or personal mementos, forever having a tribute and up cycling to use this piece in a different way.
I want my potential clients to know that I will honor their memories and create something beautiful and one of a kind for them to enjoy for years to come. I will collaborate on color or design themes and all my work comes with a warranty.
The proudest moments for me are when I deliver my hand made, one of a kind pieces of art to a client who is either honoring someone who has past away or simply just a special moment in time that they want to cherish, and the look of instant happiness and emotion on their faces ❤️

In your view, what can society to do to best support artists, creatives and a thriving creative ecosystem?

I feel that society should get out more and support small businesses and local artisans. By attending a local art show or going to an art market you are exposing yourself to something new and different. You may actually fall in love with a piece of art that spoke to you or even just put a smile on your face.
When I explain my art to people, they see my vision and understand the importance of what I’m doing.
I also just create yard art out of unique glass pieces I’ve collected over the years.
I am aware of just how unique what I make is and I am loving the creative process.
The bottom line is that we all need art in our lives! It has the power to uplift and let the mind wander in ways like nothing else on this planet.

Is there mission driving your creative journey?

Family first would be my goal or mission. Celebrating family, whatever that looks like for you, and honoring those past and present in it. Celebrating conversation around the dinner table free from electronics and connectivity with your loved ones is also important to me. Mother Nature and being outdoors surrounded by unique art that brings a smile to your face is also my goal as well

Contact Info:

• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/p/CbQMAT5rKBD/?igshid=YmMyMTA2M2Y=
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ALittleValentine

Image Credits
Lisa Valentine