Cold Water — Epoxy can create countertops, bathroom surrounds, furniture, and art.
Alyssa Denning, a Coldwater native, returned to her hometown this year to work at All Smiles Epoxy in her parents' glass store at 21 South Hudson Street.
“I have a lot of artists in my family. I also have a lot of carpenters in my family. I'm a good combination of the two,” Denning said.
Denning helped a friend learn the trade and art three years ago. “She fell in love with it,” she said.
After two years as an apprentice, Denning took a specialized epoxy class to hone his skills.
Epoxy is a long-chain polymer made of resin and hardener, and although it is definitely a plastic, it is very hard.
Denning teaches epoxy art classes in the back of her parents' business. Students can make coasters, shields, and any other type of art.
“We do a clear coat over the color coat so we can put the logo (embedded in the design),” she said. Coldwater Cardinals and Detroit Lions plates are plastered on the walls of local homes and businesses.
Some people use it on a tabletop. Most memories and photos can be preserved with epoxy.
Denning works throughout Michigan. Custom countertops with the appearance of marble or other stone can be assembled and shipped on-site or in-store.
“She's a great finish carpenter,” partner Chris Morrow said of Alyssa.
Denning focuses on countertops, backsplashes, showers and furniture. Moreau explained, “She comes out, specs everything on site, meets with the client, and comes up with a vision of what the client wants.” Denning creates a sample of the finished board.
The advantage of epoxy is that you can pour the material over your current materials, such as butcher block, laminate, granite, and wood.
Moreau explained that the cost is higher than laminate, but half or one-third less than granite or quartz.
Chips and scratches in the stone. “Epoxy countertops are heat and chip resistant. You can take a hammer to them. They stand the test of time and can be customized,” Morrow said.
Alyssa is installing fiberglass mesh over foam board on the shower wall in her bathroom. “We put epoxy on top and make it very hard,” she said, adding that the look can mimic stone or other materials.
Any of her pieces can be “customized to what you want, the color, the design, what matches your space. The design possibilities are endless,” Denning said. All work is guaranteed.
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Contact Denning at (517) 227-0241, allsmilesepoxy@gmail.com or her website allsmilesepoxy.com.
— Contact Don Reid: dReid@Gannett.com.
