FARMINGTON — Debra Cook and her husband Scott Cook have opened Fiddle Fern Studio at 161 Front St. where creations using a variety of mediums are sold.

Debra Cook shows the soldering she used to create a scene on this overlay piece on Friday, Jan. 19, at Fiddle Fern Studio in Farmington. She co-owns the studio at 161 Front Street with her husband, Scott Cook. Pam Harnden/Livermore Falls Advertiser

“I have been involved with crafts my entire life,” Debra told The Franklin Journal on Jan. 19. “I was a stay at home mom for a long time with our two daughters. When they napped, I learned. Because of that I learned a lot of skills to make my own decorations.”

Debra credits Mrs. Adams, her high school art teacher at Mt. Blue High School for inspiring her. “She encouraged me to branch out and explore,” she noted. “That has stuck with me.”

Debra Cook holds a photo of a dog she used to create the glass mosaic also held on Friday, Jan. 19, in Farmington. She and her husband, Scott Cook have opened Fiddle Fern Studio at 161 Front St. Pam Harnden/Livermore Falls Advertiser

Learning also came from need, Debra stated. “I was a single mother and Scott, my husband was out of the house, the provider, the worker,” she said. “Money was tight on one income. If I wanted something, I generally learned how to make it.”

The studio features glass, mosaic work, unique wood items, wire work and some metal work. Debra plans to use sticks, vines and things such as that in some pieces. “It is a place that I can freely create from.”

The studio opened Nov. 1, 2023. “Before November, I would make something purely because I enjoy creating but I didn’t have any place to put it so into boxes it went until I got here,” Debra stated. “It was time to take things out of boxes so people can see them, enjoy them. “I get to look at them every day.”

Interest in providing classes has been expressed, which Debra would like to do. People can be put on a list to learn the things she does.

Debra and Scott enjoy burning candles in their home, have researched and learned much about the waxes and scents used in candle making. They offer a variety of melts, which are small so people can sample several to find out what they particularly like.

They want to expand their candle line to offer customized candles with messages

A recycled cupboard door is used with this sunflower piece, seen Friday, Jan. 19, at Fiddle Fern Studio in Farmington. Pam Harnden/Livermore Falls Advertiser

either on the candle or attached. Unique oil diffusers will be available later this year that aren’t seen everywhere.

“We have some really nice spring and summer scents coming as well,” Debra said.

The Cooks can also customize special requests in other mediums they work with.

Scott does most of the wood work, creating cutting boards and crafting bases to hold glasses and other items.

“Scott’s my wood guy,” Debra noted. “I wouldn’t have been able to do this without him.”

She enjoys creating two-piece glass overlays which feature heads or tails – either the beginning or end pieces when making glass. The edges are rough and solder is used to add details to the glass. Scenes such as one featuring running horses and flying birds and a wilderness theme with deer are two overlays Debra has created.

Backlit, they are absolutely beautiful at night, she noted.

Debra creates mosaics of pets from photographs, adds painted detail to her glass work, and uses recycled materials whenever she can.

The studio is open 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday, although Debra said she may close some Tuesdays as all her glass tools are at home and she wants to get the studio fully stocked before spring. She suggests calling or texting 207-779-7827 or visiting the Facebook page before planning a Tuesday visit.

“It has been very, very fun for me,” Debra added.