Beautiful Beads

"I began my glass addiction in the late 70's, beginning with work with my husband in commission architectural stained glass and autonomous panels.  We worked with lead, copper foil, fusing, vitrious painting, sand-carving, and extensive restoration.  Our fascination with blown glass lead to the opening of Symmetry Gallery in 1990, focusing on hand blown American Studio glass.

“During Symmetry Gallery’s first Beautiful Bead exhibit in 1998, I tried my hand at beadmaking, and found a new calling.  Since the gallery opened, my time was spent tending to the day-to-day operation of a growing business; creative energy was spent focusing on the gallery's needs.  My introduction into the bead world has helped me get back into the pleasure and satisfaction of making glass objects by hand.   In addition, I've found a community of warm, enthusiastic and nurturing individuals who are eager to share their glass-bead addiction. I'm honored and delighted to belong to the fold.

"Over the past years, I've studied with some of the country's best beadmakers, and have adapted varied techniques into my repertoire.  I find inspiration in color and texture of unusual natural materials.  Frequent fondling of my collection of pearls and semi-precious gem strands often leads to an idea for blending glass colors and stones.   I often use silver and gold foils, along with layering techniques to achieve colors in glass that compliment nature's materials

Since making her first glass bead in 1998, Dianne has studied with internationally recognized bead artists including Kristina Logan, Leah Fairbanks, Alethia Donathan and Stevie Belle.  She is a member of the International Society of Glass Beadmakers, the American Craft Council and the Saratoga Arts Council

100% Handmade

Dianne hand makes each glass bead in her bracelet and necklace designs by melting imported and domestic soft glass in the 2000 degree flame of an oxygen/propane torch.  She often adds silver or 23k gold foil to the hot glass, as well as dichroic glass and enamels, to achieve a variety of surface characteristics and color shadings.  Each bead is annealed in a kiln to strengthen the glass.

Hill Tribe Silver, Sterling and 23k Vermeil Findings

Dianne's work is known for attention to detail, and carefully chosen components.  The Thai Silver or Karen Hill Tribe Silver she uses is created by traditional village silversmiths under certified fair trade principles, with  a content of .999 pure silver (higher than sterling .925.)  The sterling findings are also artisan crafted by family workshops in Thailand and Turkey, and acquired from representatives with whom she has a long-standing and trusted relationship.  23k components are plated in the US on either fine silver or copper.

Style & Quality

Dianne composes and assembles each of her jewelry designs, and often finds inspiration from the color and textures of natural materials, incorporating high-quality, hand selected metals, semi-precious stones and pearls.   Some materials have limited availability, thus variations in designs will occur, lending a one-of-a-kind feel to the work.