• Tell me a bit about yourself

Diane Paone, Lake Hiawatha, NJ. I belong to several online communities revolving around my craft of miniatures as well as a local miniature club, the Morris Mini makers. I am married and have a tortoise shell cat named Maggie and red doberman named Rosemary. I love to travel when I am able.

• What is the name of your Shop?

dpaone.

• Please describe your creative process

When doing computer design work I usually just listen to music I like. When I am making art I love to have old movies on in the background- no commercials. I prefer old movies because they are easier to follow by listening than the newer ones, since I can’t be “looking” at what I am doing at the same time watching the screen. The best is the musicals, then you’ve got a story to follow as well as some great music. When I am making masks I usually have an idea of what I want it to be but it often changes as i make it kind of evolving before my eyes. I may be making a pink mask but then this gorgeous purple feather looks irresistible and finds its way into the design.

• Where do your ideas come from?

My ideas come from everywhere, from the paper of the invitation in today’s mail which may end up in one of my creations, to the roast chicken I had at diner which I may replicate in miniature. If I am ever stuck for an idea, I jump on the internet and do a search, within seconds a flood of ideas come my way, and that is wonderful.

• How did you get into your craft?

I bought some polymer clay and decided to make shoes for a Barbie doll I bought. Although that first pair looked more like a pair of shoes for Frankenstein! I made a few pairs and got better at it and decided to sell them. That is when I discovered the world of miniatures on the internet. I became a miniature artist and just started trying different things using materials I had on hand. I wanted to make a miniature mask using my stash of glitter and beads and that really became my niche. I began to get recognition from the miniature magazines both in the US and abroad. Now I am doing shows for miniatures. My next one is coming up this Fall, November 7th-8th, at the Philadelphia Miniaturia show, Cherry Hill, NJ. This is a huge miniature show with miniaturists in attendance from around the world. To learn more about the show visit their web site.

• Apart from creating things, what do you do?

I am a designer, both graphic design as well as web site design. As an artist, I paint, draw, sculpt, like making jewelry, and miniatures. Both of these disciplines constitute full time work for me. Outside of this work, I love sports and gardening.

• How do you promote your work?

I work hard at promotion. Every sale I make I invite that person to be on my private mailing list. I pass out my business cards whenever I am able. I occasionally do giveaways or donations to charitable causes. Lately I have been focusing more on a more global and community approach by blogging, and other online communities. My blog is new and is going to feature my work, inspirations, other artists, giveaways and tutorials. To visit my blog.

If you enjoyed this post, make sure you subscribe to my RSS feed!