Diane Paone

New Year, Fresh Start

2011-01-03T14:31:00.000-08:00

After a good cleaning of my work space, I feel motivated and ready to work! Sometimes that is all it takes for a fresh start.

And I have been featured in a few new Etsy treasuries. The first is a great guy gift treasury by etsy shopper frmess called "a gift for him..." Frness does not have an etsy shop but they put together a nice treasury selection, have a look. My item featured is the 1920's red coupe aluminum diecast wall hanging.

This next Etsy treasury is curated by Heathernwells, titled "New Years Resolution" and it is full of delicious looking food that is good for you. Including my featured gourmet garden salad. Hard to believe its not real and only miniature.

Still not ready to give up your sweets? Then Have a look at Heathernwells etsy shop where you can smother yourself in sweet and savory trinkets like a pancake ring and bacon and egg earrings.

This most recent treasury curated by AngelicaV, captures some really unique and colorful pieces in the treasury titled "Moonlit Mardi Gras." Her eye for color is evident. Just look at the hand dyed fabrics she makes in her etsy shop, AngelicaV.

She features my miniature Mardi Gras king cake pin in this Team Discovery Challange Treasury featuring mostly undiscovered shop on Etsy.com

My new site for Websites! Diane's Web Sites

2010-10-12T18:05:00.000-07:00

I devoted a separate site for my website design business, http://www.dianeswebsites.com.

Helping businesses who don't have a website yet or who want their website to perform better. We have an expert team to assist you in making your website work for you.

At Diane's Web Sites, we create websites from start to finish and offer several website packages in different price ranges. From start to finish we handle it all; securing a domain name, website hosting, website updates, to search engine registration and optimizing. We are here to help.

Miniature Foods

2010-09-13T07:44:00.000-07:00

Finally, an Etsy Treasury based on miniature foods curated by Redd'sThreads. I just love it! Miniature delectables of all kinds look so real you might think you are looking at the real thing! She features my favorite dessert with my mini pumpkin pie.

Redd'sThreads has some adorable miniature hand stitched feedbag minis, and home decor gifts and diaper covers - too cute! Have a look at the items in her shop.

My item featured in the treasury: Just a Small Bite...

Check out ReddsThreads etsy shop

Delicious Ideas, NYC Eats

2010-09-12T12:24:00.000-07:00

What better way to see New York than this Etsy Treasury curated by PeacockBeads, eat your way through New York! Yummy! My Black and White cookie cuff links fit perfectly with street vendor pretzels, dirty water dogs, New York style cheese cake, bagels, pizza, and of course the big apple itself.

PeacockBeads has some lovely beaded earrings in beautiful styles. Love the featured Tanzanite cube earrings! If you want a little style in team colors for those autumn football games, have a look at the items in her shop.

My item featured in the treasury: Noshing my way through NYC

Check out PeacockBeads etsy shop

Talent Acknowledged

2010-09-12T12:11:00.000-07:00

Another wonderful Etsy Treasury curated by GreeneStitches; Acknowledging Wonderful Talent. I am honored to have one of my favorite pieces included, my Black & White Cookie Necklace. GreeneStitches herself is a wonderful talent with a sewing machine. Her handwork features colorful fabrics in a huge variety of items to choose from, have a look!

My item featured in the treasury: Acknowledging Wonderful Talent

Check out GreeneStitches etsy shop

A Tisket, A Tasket...

2010-09-12T11:39:00.000-07:00

A Poppy Covered Basket as featured in the Etsy Treasury, Black and White with Little Splashes curated by GreeneStitches. This beautifully converted vintage basket purse made by an extremely talented and dear friend of mine who loves to sew, cook and paint. Ironically GreeneStitches has a lovely shop filled with quality sewn items in beautiful fabrics. Love it!

My item featured in the treasury: Black and White with Little Splashes

Check out GreeneStitches etsy shop

Dog Days

2010-09-12T11:00:00.000-07:00

I am actually looking forward to Autumn this year. It was a long hot summer and I loved it! Why not a martini to cool off with? Thanks to this blog post by Etsy seller Humpastuff, my Gin Sock sold immediately. Humpastuffs shop has an interesting mix of mature plush toys, vintage and clothing items.

My item featured in blog: Good Twin Bad Twin

Check out Hupastuffs etsy shop

More Etsy Treasuries!

2010-07-21T09:01:00.000-07:00

El Nino must be in effect, I am in two more Etsy Tresuries! The first treasury curated, by StellasKnits, features my tiny Ruby shoes. She is a talented knitter wth a bit of whimsy.

My item featured in the treasury: Just click your ruby slippers 3 times!

Check out StellasKnits etsy shop

The second treasury of the day is curated by Phormas and deadicated to the famous James Bond quote "Shaken, not stirred." It features my vintage, gold striped Cocktail Shaker set. Phormas makes some of cutest aprons! I wish they were dresses!

My item featured in the treasury: Shaken, Not Stirred

Check out Phormas' etsy shop

Happy Bastille Day!

2010-07-14T17:22:00.000-07:00

A day of blood shed for freedom. Independance day for the people of France. No wonder July's birthstone is a blood red ruby. And a wonderful surprise today to find my ruby slippers in a new Etsy Treasury; "Rubies - Birthstone for July Ladies!" put together by fellow etsian, GreenStitches. Check out her shop that features cleverly sewn handbags, ties, aprons, and more all with a the idea of keeping it "green."

Double the Pleasure

2010-07-02T11:29:00.000-07:00

My work is featured in two etsy treasuries right now, much to my amazement. It is hard to get into one treasury let alone two at the same time! What is even more incredible is that both treasuries showcase ruby red items.

The first treasury is created by etsian trinitydj she makes really unique beaded jewelry and polymer clay items.

My item featured in the treasury: EPL - Ruby Extravaganza

Check out trinitydj's etsy shop

The second treasury is created by etsian apaperbuffet who's shop features beautiful paper embellishments from cards to cake toppers.

My item featured in the treasury: Ruby - July's Birthstone

Check out apaperbuffet's etsy shop

The Winner Is...

2009-02-25T14:24:00.000-08:00

The IGMA Guild Show 2009 was a big success! I really look forward to participating in this show. There were so many good vendors and I picked up a few miniature goodies for myself. The weather cooperated and a great time was had by everyone! I gave away lots of Mardi Gras beads to kids who stopped by and they just loved them! There were some wonderful tutorials and presentations by various IGMA Artisans and Fellows going on during the show and I was lucky enough to have a booth right next to the presenters.

I wanted to do something special for my customers attending the show and for anyone stopping by my booth so this year I decided to do a miniature Mask Giveaway. This was a big hit and I may do this again at my next show. As promised anyone who signed up for my mailing list at the show was entered into a drawing for the mask which was on display at my booth. (Even if you were on my list already you still needed to sign up again.)

The mask was showcased in the hand of a doll made by a fellow doll artist Elisa Fenoglio from Italy. Although she is from Italy, she converses in English fluently. She makes exquisite dolls with meticulous details! This particular doll is her own, very first sculpted design from a porcelain mold. The doll has very fine and delicate details. Elisa occasionally offers a doll on ebay and her sold work can be seen on her website.

I had more people than ever sign up for my email list. If you were thinking about signing up but didn't get a chance, and want to be included in future promotions and news about my work sign up here. I never share your information with anyone, ever!

Now for the moment you have been waiting for...

The Winner of my Free Mask Giveaway is:

E. Connolly

CONGRATULATIONS!

It turns out that the winner has a very cool store called Cakes 'N Shapes in NYC where they make full size real cakes with edible photos on them. Check it out click here.

Thank you again to everyone who stopped by my booth!

P.S. If you took Photos of me at the booth please send them to me, mine did not come out very good. You can contact me click here I will send you my email address so you can attach a file. Thank you!

Sugarcraft International Art Exhibit

2009-02-06T10:29:00.000-08:00

All kinds of art mediums come together to form this delightful exhibit of sweet confections. Eye candy that will make your mouth water! My work is part of this International Art Exhibit Sugarcraft

Lots of tasty treats to satisfy the mouth and mind! Click Sugarcraft for more details.

Dates
February 6th-28th, 2009
Opening Reception Friday,
February 6th 6-10pm

2009-02-06T09:55:00.000-08:00

I am working on a new product. Think "hair accessory" in a Mardi Gras way! Stay tuned, I will post a phto when it is complete.

The IGMA Guild Show 2009 is only a few weeks away!

2009-02-02T22:55:00.000-08:00

February 20 - 22, 2009
Teaneck Marriott at Glenpointe
Teaneck, NJ

Get ready!! The IGMA Guild Show 2009 is only a few weeks away! Over 100 top artisans from around the world will be here. If you have not seen these kind of miniatures before you are in for a treat! This show features the best of the best! The creme de la creme! The finest dollhouse miniatures in the world will be on display and available for purchase. And if that is not enough, check out all the extra things to do and see in conjunction with this event in and around New York City:

Over 100 International Dealers

Are you going to the show? Add your comment below.

Mardi Gras Krewes & new Mardi Gras Mask Pin Brooch

2009-02-02T14:25:00.000-08:00

Don't know what a Krewe is? Krewes are private societies that host parades and annual ball over the Carnival and Mardi Gras season in New Orleans. Most Krewes have names that incorporate a god or goddess from Greek or Roman mythology. One of the most well known krewes is "Krewe of Bacchus."

Anyone can apply for admission to belong to a krewe but it may not be that easy to get in. Every krewe has its own bylaws and requirements. It's considered a great honor to be admitted to a krewe and many krewe members have a family history of involvement going back many generations. This is serious stuff! Krewes do not take their responsibilities lightly.

There is so much more to learn about krewes, Mardi Gras and the coming carnival season which changes dates every year. This year Carnival is Feb. 21-24 and Mardi Gras is on Feb 24.

Here is another Mardi Gras Mask stick pin brooch I created, offered in my etsy store. A portion of the sale of each of these pins in 2009 will go to help the victims of Hurricane Katrina in New Orleans. Wear this pin and spark a conversation, you'll be reminiscing about New Orleans in no time. Every pin I make is a unique work of art and is signed and numbered. I make these pins with the same attention to quality and detail as my dollhouse miniature Masquerade Masks for which I am known. I use freshwater pearls, genuine Swarovski crystals, antique beads and semi-precious beads, stone and shells.

New! - Mardi Gras Mask Stick Pin

2009-01-29T10:00:00.000-08:00

Here it is, the Mask Stick Pin inspired by those pink crepe paper roses I previously mentioned. The handle is free swinging with a real freshwater pearl and vermeil ornament. As with all my masks the beads slide up and down the handle for fun. A delicate pink rose sets in the center of this sparkling pink mask.

There's been a renewed interest in wearing pins and brooches by fashion trend setters like First Lady, Mrs. O - Michelle Obama who loves to wear brooches in this article by Mary Tomer . Want to know what's hot? Stars like Sarah Jessica Parker, Cate Blanchett and other folks on the red carpet do know, and are featured sporting brooches in this article Trend Watch by Cynthia Sliwa.

Want to creatively wear a brooch in a new modern way? Or when to wear the right brooch? There are two short articles here by Melanie Spark and Victor Galindo that will tell you how.

This brooch would look lovely on a black sweater or jacket, hat, or scarf. Pins aren't just for lapels anymore.

Artist - Kerri Settle - Painter

2009-01-28T10:31:00.000-08:00

From time to time I intend to feature an artist of interest & inspiration to me, so here is the first:

I discovered artist, Kerri Settle, on ebay offering small & large contemporary oil paintings in an impressionistic style. Her landscapes usually evoke a dreamy state of mind and always take me someplace far back in my memories I long to return to. I delighted to own a number of her works. She is a prolific painter and very affordable. She paints mostly landscapes and still life.

On her blog she has been offering a monthly painting giveaway! What a great offer! I hope you will leave a comment on her blog and have a look at her work. Her main web site is Sirenic Art. Visit both her blog and website to see her variety of work.

Inspiration - Buttons

2009-01-27T06:17:00.000-08:00

Something I am often inspired by is buttons. They are miniature works of art, maybe not the plain ones on your everyday button down shirt, but the fancy ones on coats, handbags, unique pieces of clothing and hair ties. Hair ties?! Yes, have a look at Talisman Studios. They have found a wonderful way to use vintage buttons. Ornately carved MOP, jet, and filigree metal buttons are just some of the types used in their unique product.

If you love these hair ties you will definitely want to visit the Talisman's Blog and find out how to receive a FREE hair tie. Below is one of my favorites from their site.

Inspiration

2009-01-26T14:11:00.000-08:00

I find inspiration everywhere I look. I found these lovely crepe paper roses by Angela Harris on lollishops blog page. My newest creation is a mask pin which going to have a delicate pink rose on it. I will post a photo of it when complete.

New! Mardi Gras KING CAKE Pins/Brooch

2009-01-26T11:26:00.001-08:00

I'll start my blog with my newest creation and latest piece of jewelry, a Mardi Gras King Cake brooch / pin. Signed and dated on the back. Entirely handmade by me and so real looking you'd think you could eat it or at least dip your finger in the icing. Just like a fresh baked cake, this one has white icing dripping down the sides coated with sparkling colored sugar in yellow, green and purple. Displayed on a doilie with Mardi Gras beads all around it. A miniature tribute to New Orleans. Available for purchase in my Etsy shop http://www.dpaone.etsy.com