Transplanted from the South, Faye Walker-Malench now works in her private home-based studio in the Metro-east area of St. Louis. While professionally trained as an advanced practice nurse, various creative mediums have always filled any free time - stained glass, quilting, loom-weaving, hand beading and jewelry. While researching information for creating fused glass pendants to string with her beads, she accidentally discovered a world of beauty where glass meets fire - in the kiln. With the encouragement of her husband, Peter, she began to explore dimensions in kiln-formed glass - well beyond the pendant. Essentially self-taught, by trial and error, books and online resources; she also seeks out learning experiences at seminars, workshops and classes. She willingly shares knowledge about glass work via email and telephone. The glasswork can be seen by appointment, online and local art shows in the St. Louis area.

Visit the Glass Niche for unique jewelry designs and wearable glass art. Pins, pendants, cabochons, hair barrettes and earrings are fused in the kiln using dichroic and art glass.

Artist Statement

My art speaks of my attraction to vivid, contrasting colors and experimentation - and to the childlike enthusiasm I bring to each piece of glass work.

Drawn by the soft, graceful lines and flowing shapes that are the result of applying heat to flat glass; my fascination with the fluid characteristics of glass, as it undergoes changes in the kiln, tempts me to experimentation.

The diversity of my work results from experimentation with different techniques and manipulating the dynamic properties of glass. To achieve some of the unusual colors and patterns, glass is melted through stainless steel mesh; melted and poured from a crucible; stirred through when it is molten; or just piled in a mound and kiln-fired into a colorful design. Inspiration for complex designs comes from breaking or slicing up the experimental glass, and incorporating those bits into more elaborate designs.

I start with a plan or sketch of a project but the glass seems to know what it ultimately wants to be. It is gratifying when a piece is created as planned; but those pieces created by happenstance are often more dynamic and exciting to the eye. Inspiration flows from many sources: textiles, historic quilt patterns, mythology, gardening, happy memories of beaches and golden days spent fishing in the Gulf.