Fabric of My Life with Shelley Graham Turner: Diana Ptaszynski

Friday, August 10, 2012

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!!)