The work of skilled crafters blurs the line between art and craft.  That pleasing merger of art and craft depends on the skills of the crafter/artist, the medium and the eye of the beholder.

Local experts in mediums as varied as stone and silver, fiber and wood, antler and beads, are creating one-of-a-kind pieces.  Across the Valley, you will find craft studios and boutiques specializing in handmade items ranging from stained glass and designer clothing to quilts, carved wood trays and mixed media décor.  Hand-crafted items appear at bazaars and market days, as well.  In addition, a few businesses supply raw materials and studios provide lessons for newcomers to learn the basic skills to make their own pieces.

Crystal Ziemann, a retired music teacher with an encore career as a gourd fine artist, works from Ziemanm Studio in Weslaco but sells her one-of-a-kind gourd sculptures at regional art shows and galleries, at wildlife festivals around Texas and at the online craft marketplace Etsy.  “You have to be a good craftsman and pay attention to detail. But you have to go beyond the craft to get to the higher level as an artist,” she said. Her gourd sculptures would be impossible to duplicate.

Ziemann buys cured gourds, choosing from up to 10 varieties to achieve her art. “A lot has to do with the textures and what you feel in your hands. Gourd skin is tough.” She uses a variety of tools to carve it, dye it, and weave fibers and reeds through her pieces. Sculpted mermaids, nativity sets, bowls and fanciful containers with a fused glass handle are among her creations.

Previously in Austin, Laisa Macias sold the scarf blouses she had designed through pop-up shops and in co-op stores, gaining a strong following.  Recently relocated to the Valley, she transitioned from a home studio to open Urban Boutique & Studio. “This is my first store. It’s easier having the studio and shop together. My goal is to have all hand-crafted items here,” said the designer and seamstress.

Taught sewing by her grandmother, Macias as an adult returned to the craft, eventually interning with a handbag designer and then experimenting with patterns and taking private lessons.  “It is one of those arts, the more you do it and experiment with it, the more you find.” She has the handwork of a knitter, a handbag designer and other artisans on display, but continues seeking other skilled crafters.

The success of Macias’ original scarf shirts and tunics enabled her to open Urban Boutique in September. Surrounded by bolts of vintage-look fabrics and boxes of scarves, Macias moves contentedly between her sewing machines, design sketches and cutting table, and the completed knit dresses and tunics on racks.  “I’ve tried to make enough clothes that if people come in, they can find their size.” Macias said that for her the toughest part of managing all of the facets of the business is getting a website that conveys what Urban Boutique does.  “It has to give the whole picture of everything I do and what I want the store to have.”

Hand of Man, filled with sun-catching stained glass art, makes the first-time visitor gaze around in wonder.  From large Texas landscapes and door panels to wind chimes and lamp shades, the stained glass on displays throws a kaleidoscope of colors around the building.

Jerrie Howell, who has run the business for 37 years, said nothing has changed about the process of stained glass making.  Yet she is pursuing a new angle with stained glass. “I’m an elaborate embellisher and this concept got me excited,” she explained, showing several 15-inch high ornate crosses covered in stained glass and vintage costume jewelry, made in memory of a customer’s deceased mother.

Laurel Becker works in silver and stone at her baretree studio.  But three days a week, she teaches classes at Beyond Arts Gallery’s studio.  The lapidary studio there is filled with grinding, cutting and polishing machines, as well as students.  “Finding someplace to learn it is the difficult part for most people,” said Belker, whose degree is in three-dimensional art with an emphasis on small metals jewelry. The gallery has made art education and skill development accessible to the community.  “These are inexpensive, beginning level classes here. We get a pretty good turnout.”

Becker’s beginning silversmithing class was working with a precious metals clay to form shapes of their own choosing, before firing them.  The heat burns off the clay leaving a pure silver ornament.

Recycled Dreams, a Mission crafting co-op, repurposes textiles to create one of kind purses, briefcases and related hold-alls. Organizer Judith Bollain guides the 15 women whose eye-catching creations are sold at outdoor markets across the Valley.

If you are determined to try your hand at making your own art, the Inner Artist has classes to ease you onto that path.  The independently owned sip-and-paint shop in Harlingen opened two years ago to host painting parties and paint nights.  At the 4-7 p.m. class on Thursday, for example, artists typically work on painting the same picture on canvas, coached by Miguel Beach.  “Everybody can paint. You just have to try it and you can develop your inner artist,” he said.

“Miguel walks you from the blank canvas step by step to making a completed painting,” said Clementina Beach. The picture may be a city nightline, a landscape or a vase of poppies.  Baby showers and birthday parties can opt for various themed or seasonal images, based on the age level, child to teenage to adult.

Inner Artist also offers times for ceramics painting and firing. The calendar on  InnerArtistFun.com depicts the images slated for classes held on different days. Parties can be booked at any time.

Whether you prefer to seek unique gifts and décor made by skilled crafters and artists or to learn how to do it yourself, wonderful items are made in the Valley.  Christmas is not far away.

For more information, see Ziemannstudio.com, Innerartistsfun.com, beyondartsgallery.com, Urban Boutique at 512-538-8662 or  Facebook: /urbandowntown. 

November 2014 cover story by Eileen Mattei