BFF Beading Friend Friday: DIANA PTASZYNSKI

Today I am featuring Diana Ptaszynski. She is a new online friend and I love her work as well as her personality. Come and meet her for yourself -

                                                                                 VITALS

*  Diana is from “Jerzey”

*  She is married.

*  No Kids…yet.

*  Her pets - 1 serious kitty, 1 quizzical kitty and 1 silly kitty

 *  Her hobbies are metalsmithing, cycling, antiquing and self-deprecation “(laughter IS the best medicine)”  

FUNNY FACE - Her alter-ego!

BFF: What do you do with beads?

DIANA:  I play with mud (ie I make porcelain, stoneware and raku beads and pendants).  I also make jewelry, although lately it’s mostly for publication or myself.

BFF: How would you describe your role in the beading world?

DIANA: I make art beads for jewelry designers to create with.  Ok, let’s just admit it…most of us hoard our art beads. 

BFF: How long have you been working with beads?

DIANA: I started making beaded jewelry at the end of 2004 and I began creating my own art beads in the Fall of 2009.

BFF: What is your style? And what attracts you to this style?

DIANA:  I’m not certain I have a “style”. I like so many different things… my work is inspired by my love of antiques, nature and random objects. I work in a basement and sometimes I just find things on the floor.  Yup, even floor junk inspires me. 

BFF: What are your favorite metals to use?

DIANA: sterling silver, copper and brass

BFF: What is your favorite stringing medium to use?

DIANA: Sterling silver half-hard wire if I’m wire-wrapping and soft flex if I’m stringing.

BFF: What is your favorite color palette?

DIANA: Blue and Green.  If it reminds me of tropical waters then  I’m in love.

BFF: Your technique(s)?

DIANA: I’ve gotten so good at wire-wrapping I could probably do it with my eyes closed.  I also enjoy playing with fire, so… raku, torch-enameling and soldering.

BFF: What else would you like to try your hand at?

DIANA: Not lampworking.  I tried it a few times with my husband’s set-up (yes, he dabbles in glass) and all I ended up doing is making little glass boogers that fell off the mandrel.  I’ll stick with earth clay.

BFF: Other artist/designer(s) you admire? Any special reason why?

DIANA:  Diane Hawkey.  Her work is colorful, quirky and fun.  Joan Miller is also a favorite.  Her porcelain is stunningly detailed and can be mistaken for lampwork.  AMAZING!

BFF: Where do you want to be in 5 years from now?

DIANA: I have a few big things I’d like to accomplish between now and then but just like with Fight Club, the first rule of Fight Club is you don’t talk about Fight Club.  ;-)

BFF: What’s your favorite quote or saying?

DIANA: I don’t think my favorite sayings are appropriate for this forum…hehe.

BFF: Any advice you'd give to new artists who are just beginning in your medium?

DIANA:  Take classes, experiment and play!  Also, you can contact members of BOC (Beadsof Clay).  They are a super helpful group dedicated to earth clay beads.  I’m a member of their professional team (BOCPAT) and we do love helping with questions when we can!

BFF: What is your favorite blog that you like to follow?

DIANA:  Art Bead Scene.  A blog dedicated entirely to art beads…what’s not to like about that?  Also, ABS is partially to blame for me becoming an art bead artist. 

      BFF: What has been your favorite Blog Hop or Challenge?

DIANA:  Bead Soup  (and anything I’ve run on my own blog. I’ve made so many friends thanks to blog hops.

Quirky questions often give us a better understanding of the real person behind the artist, so here goes…

BFF: If you had all the money in the world, what would you buy?

DIANA: A condo on the beach on some awesome tropical island and a funky bead shop/studio filled with art beads and gemstones.  (Editor's Note: Well I have a beach and a funky bead shop down the block, so come visit me in the meantime!!)

BFF: As a child what was your favorite cartoon or tv show? why?

DIANA: X-Men.  I’ve always wanted super powers besides the ability to chew people’s ears off.    (Editor's Note: Okay, that's quirky!)

BFF: Favorite toy as a child? why?

DIANA: My raggy bunny.  It’s a stuffed bunny I’ve had since I was real little.  I still have her even though she’s quite threadbare.

BFF: Favorite subject in school? why? 

DIANA: Not math.  We never got along.  History is where it’s at! 

Last words from Diana -

"When the zombie invasion hits, I'm stealing all your art beads".

Well Diana doesn't seem to want to toot her own horn BUT she is a very talented artist. She has been published in many different magazines including Bead Trends , Bead Design and Bead Unique. 

Next week is Bead Fest in Philadelphia and Diana will be there as a vendor - Suburban Girl Studio in booth #564. If you are planning to attend be sure to stop by and check out her work!  (I am finally getting to meet her in person - excited!!)

Suburban Girl Studio LLC

Blog address: www.suburbangirlstudio.com

Website:  www.suburbangirlbeads.etsy.com (bead shop)

AND

www.suburbangirlstudio.etsy.com (jewelry shop)

E-mail  suburbangirlstudio@yahoo.com