About the Instructor, Melanie

Hi, my name is Melanie Mumme, and I was born and raised in Salt Lake City, Utah.

Ever since I can remember, I have been compelled to create things with my hands. When I was in Kindergarten, my teacher set up a book making station. I was really excited about this! I remember patiently waiting for my group to be called, but inside I was bursting with excitement. Each book required 3-5 different sheets of printed paper that you would fold into fourths and then assemble in the correct order, using a stapler to bind it all together. We were supposed to make just one book, but I couldn’t choose. I remember staring at them intently, trying to follow the rules, reluctantly selecting just one but after making it, I absolutely needed to make all of the rest of them too. I hurried and gathered and made every one of them, against the advise of my classmate. I did get in trouble for it, but it was worth it! Books and crafts were two of my favorite things, how could 6 year old me resist??

As I grew I continued to explore as much as I was allowed, but there were always so many pesky rules. I tried to create within the confines of the rules, but eventually my curiosity would get the better of me and off experimenting I would go. Sometimes my experiments would turn out well, sometimes not – a lot of times actually – and sometimes they would get me in trouble, but I always learned something and I always found so much joy in it!

Over the years I have sought out new mediums to explore, I get into less trouble now that I am my own boss and I have come to truly appreciate the entire process of creation and the ability it has to quiet my mind and expand my perspective. My many explorations have lead to quite a diverse portfolio. In the distant past I was a community education teacher and an artist supporting a new web development career and now I am a web developer supporting my creative dreams. Dabble and Create is just the beginning! I envision Dabble and Create as a creative space where we are all simply artists, nothing more or less. It is a supportive space where we can learn and grow and explore and make mistakes and not be ashamed of them. It is a place where we can connect with the people we love and connect with new people in the community. It is a place where we can leave the outside world behind.

The older we get the more there is to stress about. I believe that creating art is the gateway to de-stressing. I believe that all people can benefit from making things with their hands, and we don’t need to be “good at it” to benefit! (But I double dog dare you to take one of my classes, I bet you will feel pretty darn “good at it” by the end!)

People often don’t know where to start or don’t have the tools or space or confidence to start, and I can help with all of those things. Whatever the reason, somehow life continues to lead me to those people and to all of the places I needed to go first in order to be able to help them.

I view myself as a teacher more than I view myself as an artist. I do create art for myself and others (email me for custom commissions), but I find so much joy in sharing my knowledge and inspiring others to explore their creativity. My goal is to give you the information, guardrails and inspiration you need in order to get out of your worried mind and into the beautiful and joyful state of curiosity and creativity.

Let’s get creative together!

-Melanie

P.S. I’m also a singer, but I didn’t know how to work that in. Check out the band I’m in here. We do community dances and summer park concerts.