Meet Melina Bernhardt | Fiber Artist & Educatrice

We had the good fortune of connecting with Melina Bernhardt and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Melina, is there a quote or affirmation that’s meaningful to you?
Joie de Vivre! comes to mind. It means the joy of life in French. No matter what I do in my business it is a mantra for me. Staying positive during the fluctuations of my business.
I like that it helps me ride the waves of doubt and hardship in my business. It also reminds me to stay true to myself and not try to try to be someone I am not or that doesn’t represent my philosophy. For example I could look for investors or run up credit cards or ask for grants for my business to try to make it grow faster. But that is not my goal. I have simple, humble, sustainable goals to simply make a living out of my business. Anything more would be a bonus for me.

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
I love to create art with my hands. More specifically fiber art. I work with fabric, yarn, leather, beads and metals. I weave cowls, scarves, shawls and blankets on my looms. I make pouches, clutches and earrings out of leather. I bead earrings and bracelets. I knit hats and shawls and teach all of these fiber arts. One of the things I believe sets me apart from others is my sense of color and texture – I wouldn’t claim this myself but mention it because I was told this numerous times. Sustainability and the ecology are also very important in my business model. 95% of the packaging that I use to gift wrap, mail or just sell my art at markets are repurposed. I make a conscious effort to not buy new products – often made outside the USA – in my packaging. This extends to my materials. I try to purchase most of my materials locally and sustainably.
I support other local businesses in my own business needs. For example I hire local photographers and videographers, I work with a local print maker for my business cards. They are printed by the State Park Press on machines from the nineteen hundreds.
It has definitely been a labor of love to be where I am at today in my business and that’s why I keep doing it. If it was one hundred percent driven by money I would have quit already. I keep dreaming of being able to sustain myself financially with my business and every year I get the proof that it is possible by making a little more profit year after year.
Definitely staying positive – realizing also that I am very fortunate to have a support family and system that allows me to have my business – and keeping the “Joie de Vivre” is helping me overcome challenges.
I have learned to believe in myself and my business, to be resilient and to keep doing what makes me and my community happy.
I want the world to know that I will always make art no matter what and that I will always make it as affordable as possible because I believe that everyone needs art in their lives. If they cannot afford a piece from me I will teach people to make their own or offer a sliding scale option.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
I live in Fort Collins and if a friend was to visit I would start by taking them to “Wolverine Farm and Publick House”. We would have coffee, tea, buy a book or two and be filled with joy to know that there are still places in town and in Colorado that value sustainability and the earth we live on. We would walk downtown and probably pop into “Nature’s Own” to get a few semi-precious rocks to put in our pockets or gardens later. We would go to “Hearne’s” to look at shoes and clothes. We could walk home to my house – it’s about a thirty minute walk. We would later walk to “Little on Mountain” for dinner. The next day we would go the “the Be Free Healing Center” and take a yoga class. We could then head downtown to the “Little bird for coffee”, tea and pain au chocolat, cinnamon rolls or a quiche.
The next day we would take a hike at Michaud Lane and have dinner at the “Thai Station”.
On day four we would go to the “Discovery Museum” and have lunch at “Los Tarrascos”. We could take a “quatre heure” – a snack – at the “Butterfly Café”. Go home and have dinner at “Himalayan Bistro”.
I am probably forgetting places but that’s a good start!

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
There are a lot of people and inspirations that merit my business’ credit. Without being sentimental my husband comes first in that he has been supportive of me and my business from the time Mélina Be was a twinkle in my eye.
Lambspun of Colorado where I worked for almost 15 years was a magical environment for me to learn and perfect a lot of the fiber arts skills that I have under my belt.
My parents in law – who have since passed – merit credit for their financial support and investments.
Then there are artists that have inspired me – and sometimes still do – like Laura Macagno-Shang, Patti Parker, Sandy Dunn, Donna Bathory, Sarah Neubert to name a few.
The town of Fort Collins, the state of Colorado, the traveling I have done in my life, nature and living on this beautiful planet inspire me daily.

Website: www.melinabe.com

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/melina_._be/

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/melina-bernhardt-99111115

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/MelinaBeArt

Image Credits
Danielle De Fiore Sunshine Lady Photography