Heres a look at a new display I am working on for my booth next week at Glass Craft Expo in Vegas.

I have struggled with how to best display my head pins and give the customers the best view of the product.

First I had them in rubber banded bundles, laying on the table with a rolled towel to prop their heads up. It was ok, but they got tangled and tossed about and were hard to keep neat and tidy.

Then I put the bundles standing up in small cigar boxes. That was better but still had the tangling issue and as they sold it got sloppy.

My wonderful assistant Beth thought of "floral foam". I put the foam in the cigar boxes and had them stuck into the foam. A very nice display.....but my only thought was that with a full table it is hard to see all sides of what is displayed within that box.

So then I bought small turntables from Bed Bath and Beyond. Adhered the foam to the turntable (after cutting to size), and placed the pins into the foam. Now I have a display that will spin as needed for the customer. My only thought now is that I would rather have smaller displays and place them in several locations on the table. This will help with traffic at the table and give more customers the opportunity to see the work at one time.

The Travels of the little Arizona Bead

My Arizona Beads are busting out!

While at the Art Glass Show in Vegas the bead in the photo (Photos by David Orr) was awarded 3rd place! That's a BIG deal! This was a stiff competition for a little bead up against very talented award winning artists. What an honor!

THEN....This little Arizona Bead and a couple of its counterparts have been accepted into The 2012 BEAD & BUTTON's "Bead Dreams" Competition. They have been shipped off and I am anxious to know how they fare. One of my friends Amy Waldman-Smith has also been accepted and we decided the biggest winner buys dinner! More to come .....

THEN....My Arizona Beads have been accepted into the ISGB's 3x2 Exhibit.

The following is an article about the exhibit: This juried show is a collaborative effort between ISGB and metalsmiths from the Seattle Metals Guild. Glass beadmakers were invited to create three similar focal beads which metalsmiths then incorporated into pendants, ring or brooches. The exhibit celebrates the infinite design possibilities from the intersection of glass and metal artist makers coming together in the traditions and contemporary possibilities of these wonderful art forms. Hosted by the incredible Facèré Jewelry Art Gallery which show cases the work of both national and international jewelry artists, as well as antique and vintage jewelry, this exhibit is an engaging collection of work. Through the interweaving of color, form, texture and materials the pieces are infused with energy and spirit. From the efforts of the artist teams, you'll find incredible works of art!

I will add more info as it comes! Thanks for following along.

Diane Sepanski

Arizona Dreaming & Indelible

I am thrilled to announce, my work, "Arizona Dreaming" has been selected as part of the ISGB's "Indelible" Exhibit. The following is a description of the exhibit:

In eveyone’s lives are moments that stand out, moments that are remembered more clearly than others. What makes these moments unforgettable may vary greatly. Maybe it was doing something for the first time or for the last time. Sometimes, all it can take to transport us back to that moment is a smell, a word, or a sound, and we can play that memory over and over again in our mind’s eye. Done in conjunction with our 20th Anniversary, this exhibition highlights the diversity in one-of-a-kind bead and jewelry design from artists around the world. Indelible artists were asked to pluck out the details from their most memorable or special experiences and to translate them into glass using beads as their brush strokes and jewelry as a canvas to paint a memorable picture.

Fifteen years ago when my family and I came to Arizona to see if this might be the place we want to call home, I looked for a memento to take back with me to keep the memory fresh. To my dismay I was unable to find what I was looking for. A little while latter, we made the move and have now been in Az for 14 years. I now make the memento I was looking for that reminds me of the time when my marriage was new, the boys were young and we all had such bright futures ahead of us.

The Exhibit will begin in Bellvue Washington during the ISGB Gathering. It will then travel to unknown destinations. I will keep you post as the exhibit moves.

Congratulations to all the selected participants, it is an honor to have my work aside yours.

Diane Sepanski

photos by David Orr

Can you say "Road Trip"

Today is a happy day. Typically my mornings are....Grab a cup of coffee, sit down at the laptop, check facebook, check etsy, check the ISGB emails, and then on to my emails. Emails usually are; sales, offers, some guy that wants to share his wealth with me, a few jokes, maybe news from a friend or relative....But Today, I received...." Congratulations! You have been selected to teach at Bead Fest Texas 2012." Now that's putting a little pep in my step! I knew if I double booked the date I would be accepted!

The classes I will be teaching are; "Five Rings in 3 Hours" and "Finishing your work with hand made steel chain". Once Interweave has them on their site, I will put them on my web site too.

Being accepted is a good feeling!

The Best Bead Show in Tucson proved to be my best show ever! What a great feeling. And my Arizona beads SOLD OUT! Thank you to everyone for purchasing my work and stopping by my booth to wish me well and say hello!

I am currently putting work together for several competitions and exhibits. I will post more details if my work is accepted....we'll see.

My next show is The Vegas Art Glass Expo. I have been to the Expo several times but never as an artist. I will let you know how it goes!

Hello Everyone!

It has been a beautiful winter in Arizona and I have been busy every moment making beads, disks, head pins, jewelry and writing tutorials!

I designed and wrote my first tutorial "Melange Rings" that I unveiled at the ISGB Gathering in Kentucky...I am currently putting together the next tutorial, "Melange Pendants and Earrings". I will be releasing this new tutorial at The Best Bead Show in Tucson Feb 1-5. The tutorial is availble for $10 but is also available as a kit. In the kit you choose all the corresponding parts for earrings and pendants....kit fee $40 for an entire set and the directions. Ring kits are $25...or all of the above for $60 ($80 value if everything is purchased individually).

The Best Bead Show link is here: http://www.bestbeadshow.com/BestBeadShows/BestBeadShow.aspx?id=1
If you are interested in classes visit the class link at: http://www.bestbeadshow.com/BestBeadShowClasses/BestBeadShowClasses.aspx#1

I will be teaching "5 Rings in 3 Hours" which is the Melange Ring on Feb 2 from 3 to 6pm. The class includes all materials, the printed tutorial and I will have tools for use (for 10 students). You will be able to pick from the large variety of elements at my booth for your ring making experience.

There are many other classes by very talented artists and tons of one of a kind work, beads, supplies and more! I hope you can find the time to visit the Tucson Gem and Mineral Show! Check out this link for a complete listing of venues during this event. http://tucsongemandmineralshows.net/2012-tucson-gem-show.htm

Diane Sepanski
www.dianesepanski.com
ps Visit my web site and print the show coupon for discounts at my booth.

Metal Head Meeting Oct 16, 2010

Together with Fire and Friends Z Art Studio the “Metal Heads, Feat of Clay” was conceived three years ago. This group is a Chapter of the PMC Guild. Over the past three years we have had many new faces come and go, but have a core group of about 12 members that are very dedicated. This dedication isn’t necessarily to just metal clay….the true dedication is to the friends we have become with metal clay being the common bond.

Yesterdays meeting consisted of the usual agenda discussing different topics including classes, contests, member highlights and such. But it was the big day to exchange charms with our friends. It was great to receive each members hand made piece. A little something to look at and remember the thoughtfulness of my friends and the passion we share.

The last several meetings we have been holding “Group Sharing”. Members have volunteered to bring their knowledge of different mediums to the group and share their experience with the medium. Yesterday Julia Sweeney shared her knowledge of polymer clay. Julia brought many examples of her work with so many different techniques. We had time for a little hands on, rolling out different colors of clay, making canes and experimenting.

It was great to see Julia light up while she shared. And the members have truly enjoyed the sharing experience. Not only do we learn about different mediums…we learn a little more about our friends.