Instructors

Dianne discovered her love for creating silver jewelry after a 30-year career in corporate computer systems. Her favorite medium is silver fabrication, but she has branched out to lapidary and intarsia, glass fusing and enameling. She also works in precious metal clay and wire. Her work has earned many ribbons in juried shows at the Visual Arts Center. Dianne expands her skills by taking several week-long classes each year at William Holland School of Lapidary arts in Georgia as well as at the Florida Society of Goldsmiths where she is a member. She loves to share her knowledge with others by regularly teaching all levels of silver jewelry fabrication, and occasionally teaching precious metal clay, glass fusing, enameling and cabochons at the Visual Arts Center.

Belinda has been creating jewelry for over 10 years. She has loved the American Indian silver and turquoise jewelry style for most of her life. Having found silver smithing over 3 years ago, she is now able to create her own original designs. Belinda is a member of the Visual Arts Center and the Jewelry Arts Group in Punta Gorda where she teaches. She also loves stained glass and has been involved with it for over 20 years.

Karen Johnson is an award winning bead artist from Sarasota, Florida. She manages Beads, F.O.B. in Sarasota and has taught jewelry making for more then six years. Karen teaches numerous classes at Beads, F.O.B. from basic beading to advance off-loom weaving classes in Peyote, Ndebele and Brick Stitch. She also teaches beading courses at The Marie Selby Gardens, The Lemon Bay Art Alliance, as well as in Punta Gorda. Karen has been involved with jewelry making for over 10 years and has a B.A. in Studio Art, from Macalester College. Karen believes in teaching to meet the needs of individual students with patience and a sense of humor. One bead does not fit all!

Diana is a retired science teacher who has turned her knowledge of stones and her love of teaching into jewelry making. Her interest in art began over 25 years ago while developing a high school horticulture course which integrated art and science. Working with artists in the Baltimore area, she learned the techniques of creating "wearable art" using paper or cloth. Upon retiring from 31 years of teaching in Rockville, Maryland, Diana moved to Port Charlotte and created wearable art as fundraisers for clubs and organizations. Retirement also made more time for taking jewelry courses in dichroic glass, wire wrapping and PMC. Diana has utilized her teaching skills to instruct others in the techniques of creating paper or cloth jewelry and wire wrapped jewelry.