Making a (glass) garden grow

For Diane Volrath, 48, of Camanche, it seems that each of her creative ventures leads her to discover a new creative outlet.

In 1993, Volrath created decadent works of art as a wedding cake baker at her bakery in Davenport. While sugar was her medium then, it led her to rediscover her passion for photography while producing a book about wedding cakes.

'The peace and stress relief of creating photographic images of nature led me to retire in December of 2006 from cake decorating,' she said. 'Photography has really allowed me to meet interesting people and see wonderful places in this world.'

Then while working on a unique display of her photography, Volrath became interested in creating photos on glass. Through trial and error, she created a process that became her own.

Today, Volrath focuses on creating three-dimensional copper and stained glass garden art — everything from stained glass flowers, dragonflies, butterflies, and hummingbirds to copper branches and pussy willows. While she still takes photos, her delicate garden creations just keep growing.

If you had only two words to describe what you do what would they be?

Creating happiness.

Where do you find your inspiration?

Nature and the hardware store. Art, like life, evolves and is constantly growing.

What's the best part about being a creative person?

I get to make flowers all winter and watch it snow. My door to the studio door is about 100 large steps from my house. Oh, and I have a studio pal, Copper, a horse that lives in a quarter of the building.

Do you remember the first craft project you ever tried?

Drawing as a child. My art career started, like many artists, in my studio under the basement stairs at about 7 years old. The back of the stair risers were a perfect place to hang my latest masterpiece in my own private gallery. Little did I know then, that I would some day have art hanging in private showings and museums like the Figgie Art Museum. Watercolors, quilting, charcoals, sugar, photography and glass are all mediums I have used in the past to express my art.

When you become rich and famous for your work, then what will you do?

Create more flowers. To someone else's standards I may already be rich and famous, but to me, I'm just Diane.

Where to find it

Cedar Rapids Downtown Farmers Market on June 18 or Diane's studio at 2601 S. Washington Blvd., Camanche or at www.stainedglassflowers.com.