My life has always been centered around color, nature and textiles. Painting small flowers or bringing a tree to life on a Sterling Silver pendant with green glass fused in a process through heating crystals in a kiln is amazing! I will never tire of the fulfillment and happiness I experience each time I finish a piece of jewelry!

I have been metalsmithing since 2015.

I first started with a flower business in Southern Calif. I went to Los Angeles Floral Design School and received a certification of floral design. I opened a flower shop on the ocean in Ventura, Ca. Zuzu’s Petals. I had a 500 square foot shop where I designed flowers for weddings and special events. I was a member of The Rotary Club and promoted my business with community organizations. I sold that business to a young woman who worked closely with me. My husband and I decided to go on a life discovery journey together at 50 and we moved to Nova Scotia where my husbands family was from. I began basket weaving, weaving on a large LeClair floor loom and painting in Cape Breton Island, NS, Canada I learned how beautiful it was to hand dye reed and create baskets! I studied with a friend, Shari MacLeod in Sydney, NS. I became a juried artisan through the Center for Craft and Design. My baskets were sold in galleries on this wonderful small island that I called home for 10 years!

I first took a class with Jessica and fell in love with color! Then Stacie Florer gave me some soldering and findings techniques. I’ve also had lessons with Molly Sharp and by some teachers online at Rio Grande.

My inspiration comes from the natural beauty all around us. I have always loved trees and the many different flowers in our world! The color, composition and beauty of each detail in different species!

I enjoy the process of enameling! Cloisonné, is a wonderful technique! In this process you start with Copper or Silver. Put together a drawing of what you want to have on your piece. Many layers of powdered enamel and thin Cloisonné fine Silver wire are used to create shapes on the piece. It is fired at a very high temperature in the kiln at least 10 to 12 times. The end result is stunning! I’ve never gotten over how the enamel colors show such brilliance and beauty!

Meet Resident Artist Diane McEachen