Diana Kirkpatrick - Art You Can Wear

Necklace - W#1 woven in emerald and mint with malachite square.jpeg

Diana Kirkpatrick - Art You Can Wear

I've been fascinated with jewelry and jewelry making my whole life. My family lived in the Washington, DC suburbs and as I was growing up we explored the Appalachians and the Blue Ridge Mountains. The crafts and jewelry I saw during these years inspired me to learn more about making jewelry, weaving, and beadwork.

I started studying jewelry techniques seriously in the mid-1970s with classes in lapidary arts, silversmithing, wire work, and lost-wax casting In the 1990s, I explored bead weaving and needle weaving as well. I had the good fortune to take classes in needle weaving with Helen Banes, who developed this approach. My woven necklaces use either vertical or horizontal warp threads to achieve different shapes and patterns. Each design incorporates textures, motifs, and color combinations that reflect my interpretation of a particular place or culture.

Today I'm designing silver and gemstone jewelry. Whether I'm working in silver or fiber, my designs are inspired by colors and textures in nature. Sometimes a special stone is the beginning of the design. Specific shapes and color combinations start a concept that leads to an overall design, then other materials are selected. My goal is to create to a work of art that brings enjoyment.