Hello to my “Spirited Heart” Sisters

Welcome to Spirited Heart Studio. I'd like to share a bit about me, my art background, how I came to be a jewelry artist and what inspires my work.

Looking back at my life, I realize that being a wife and mother have been my most fulfilling roles and have shaped me more than words can express. As an artist, it has taken me a lifetime to truly find myself, to release my true spirit as an artist.

My career of choice was in Interior Design. After graduation from Eastern Michigan University, I opened and ran my own design business for many years. In my private life, even though I loved my design work, I still experimented with various art mediums including drawing, painting, sculpture & ceramics, trying to fulfill my inner calling, to create something from my soul.

Years ago my husband and I decided to embark on the adventure of our Iives, when at 52, he joined the Navy as a Dental Officer. We have been moving every 2-3 years ever since to fabulous places like California, Texas, S. Carolina, Guam, Japan and now Oahu, Hawaii.

I found that moving made it difficult for me to hold a job, I needed to recreate myself again and again with each move. About 13 years ago I attended my first jewelry-making workshop where I was introduced to metal, a hammer and a torch. Something inside me was forever changed. It was at that moment that I knew that I had found my passion, my creative “voice” in the world. To further my skills I enrolled in the Metals Department at the Southwest School of Art where I read, studied and took as many classes as time and money would allow. I hammered, soldered (sometimes melted!) and twisted my metal in every way possible, in order to perfect my craft.

Process and Materials

I work with many different metals and techniques and collect beautiful, unique, semi-precious gemstone beads, cabochons and fused glass to incorporate into my work as accents. I collect all sorts of stuff; twigs, shells, rocks and leaves to inspire my designs, as I love organic shapes and textures. I am also very influenced by the cultures from the countries that we have lived and traveled.

Every piece of my jewelry is handcrafted by me. Sometimes the designs start with a drawing (especially technically difficult details) but most of the time I get inspired by a color, pattern or technique and the pieces just come together.

A few years ago I began experimenting with silks and French dyes. I learned Batik, Serti and Shibori methods of surface decoration. I love these techniques and working with silk. It’s such a wonderful change from working with metals. Its so Zen! I now offer hand-dyed silk scarves and clothing in addition to my jewelry.

Thanks again for visiting Spirited Heart Studio, currently located in Greenville, NC. My hope is that you see my jewelry as that “crowning” element to your own unique style.

From my “Spirited Heart” to yours,

Dianne