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Fire Mountain Gems and Beads' Jewelry-Making Contest 2009
Finalist
Fire Mountain Gems and Beads' Jewelry-Making Contest 2012
Honorable Mention |
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Meet the Designer-Artist
Describe your artistic style.
I acknowledge serendipity and try hard to accept where it takes me. And I have never met a stone or metal that didn’t seem precious to me.
What inspires you as a designer-artist?
The history of beads inspires me. Like music every culture has its own history with beads. They have stories to tell of design techniques inventiveness, and beauty.
What materials do you most enjoy working with?
I love seed beads and bugles. When I discovered how I could use both for square beads I had melded together my two favorite materials.
What inspired this design?
I was watching a documentary called ‘'The Long Way Down.'’ Ewan McCoreqo and Charlie Bosuman ride from northern Africa to southern Africa on towing motorcycles. Every scene in the movie showed the new colors and the ancient colors of the plains (savannah), the ruins the tropics, and the people. It was very inspiring that people with so little gave so much to strangers.
How did it come together?
I had just finished a bright spring/summer necklace. So I was working my squares in bronzes, olive greens, and as I watched the documentary I remembered the beautiful carved bone beads that I had wanted to use for awhile. I tried to bead each in the same color family but never duplicate it like nature’s sunsets. The colors and shapes simmered in my head, were influenced by my days, started to make sense and then were turned into this piece.
Share Your Background
When and how did you begin making jewelry/beading?
In 2004 a friend was moving on and did not want her beads sitting in her drawers anymore. I happened to be there. Lucky me!
Who introduced you to beading?
This friend, books, magazines.
Do you have an artistic background?
I have been a musician for 20 years. Music, like beads, covers the world. The numbers add up in both.
How did you discover Fire Mountain Gems and Beads?
From the very first bead magazine I bought I ordered a catalog because I liked your location--Grants Pass. Then reading and ordering appreciated the superior pricing and customer service. But best of all are the photos of employees in gorgeous jewelry, even the guys! Go guys!
What other hobbies do you have?
Music and swimming.
Beading Success
What role does jewelry-making play in your life?
When I began beading I had no idea how it would affect my health. I was diagnosed in 2003 of fibromyalgia, rheumatoid arthritis, and major depression. Beading is to me almost magical. I called it ''Zen is beading.'' Though I had lots of beads, when I’m beading the chronic pain recedes into the background. It has helped with my depression by giving me a sense of accomplishment, hope for the future, and I get to create something on one else has.
If you used jewelry-making as a way to bring in income, how are you selling yourself and your jewelry?
I have just started to enter contests. I am slowly putting together a website.
Do you participate in any charity fundraisers? Examples: Make jewelry to support a cause? Any educational programs that use beads/beading to raise awareness?
Yes. Two times a year I donate my pieces (as many as they need) to felicity house in Los Angeles to a sober living house for women.
Any advice for aspiring jewelry-artists?
As soon as you can, invest in precious metal findings. But never turn down a good deal! If you don’t use things new they might be just what you need when you least expect it.
View all of Diana's designs in the Gallery of Designs. |
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