Diane Sepanski

Diane Sepanski

The Attic
Gold Medal Prize Winner in the Art Clay and Metal category
2009 Fire Mountain Gems and Beads Beading Contest

Meet the Designer-Artist

Where do you live?
Peoria, Arizona

Describe your artistic style.
I have so many things I do and experiment with, I don't think I have one particular style.

What inspires you as a designer-artist?
Pictures and photos that I find or have taken myself. The contests with themes can really get my creative inspirations going.

What materials do you most enjoy working with?
I love working with metal clay, lampworked glass beads and other mixed media. It's fun to bring them together into a one-of-a-kind work of wearable art.

What is the name of the piece you submitted with your success story?
The Attic

What inspired this design?
I save photos of things as I wander through the web. I found a photo of an interesting window that intrigued me. Once I began building the piece and added a door to the back it became an attic. I then wrote a poem for the inside of the piece.

Share Your Background

When and how did you begin making jewelry/beading?
In 2001, I began with fusing glass, but really didn't have a way to use the work. Once I was introduced to metal clay it all came together for me.

Who introduced you to beading?
I am mostly self-taught. I research methods and styles on the internet and do a lot of reading.

Do you have an artistic background?
I've always held my hand in some medium, whether it's tole painting, stained glass or whatever I can get my hands on next. I am an enthusiast of all things.

How did you discover Fire Mountain Gems and BeadsĀ®?
I think at the Tucson Rock and Gem Show.

What other hobbies do you have?
I belong to the Arizona Glass Bead Makers (lampworkers).

Beading Success

What role does jewelry-making play in your life?
I lead a metal clay chapter in Arizona (Metal Heads and Feat of Clay) and devote a lot of my time to this group. We hold monthly meetings, host guest artists, enter contests, have challenges to keep the creative process rolling.

If you used jewelry-making as a way to bring in income, how are you selling yourself and your jewelry?
Yes, I enter contests and participate in a couple of local shows. My website is Glassjunkie.etsy.com

Any advice for aspiring jewelry-artists?
Do the work you enjoy. Not every piece is for every customer, but the ones that appreciate your work will find you.

Diane's piece, The Attic, won the Gold Medal Prize in the Art Clay and Metal category of the 2009 Fire Mountain Gems and Beads beading contest. Zoom in for an up-close view in the Gallery of Designs.

View all of Diane's designs in the Gallery of Designs.