Diana Contine

"I like to think of my designs as a journey. A journey that can take the wearer from 'gently used' pieces of vintage beads incorporated in to a jewelry piece to inspirations from organic sources to a mystical and romantic world that captures the heart."
-Diana Contine

Jeweler Diana Contine creates one of a kind jewelry that reflects nature and its movement. Although she has always felt her artistic side, she was initially a registered nurse until she broke her back while on the job.

Contine decided to go back to school for design, initially thinking she would design for hospitals. She began rummaging flea markets for unique “gems” she could turn into hats, clothing and jewelry.

She is now constantly exhibiting her jewelry across several states. Her jewelry is in Fine Silver (.999) in a medium called Precious Metal Clay (PMC). This medium came into use in the 1990’s and is still new. She is a member of the Pennsylvania Guild of Craftsman and the Pennsylvania Society of Goldsmiths. She won Best in Show, Pennsylvania Guild of Craftsmen in 2006.

Education
Moore College of Art and Design, coursework on Millinery design, Philadelphia, PA, 1996-1997
Eastern Michigan University, Bachelor of Science in Design, 1993
American College in London, coursework in design and architectural renovation, London, England, 1992
St. Mary's College of Nursing, Associate Degree of Science in Nursing-Registered Nurse, O'Fallon, MO, 1983
Florissant Valley Community College, Associate Degree in Design and Commercial Art, St. Louis, MO, 1979

Connections to Bucks County
Diana Contine moved to Solebury in 1993. She loves the beauty around the area and never tires of the sight of the Delaware River. She considers it her "home and [her] nirvana." Her studio, DaKoTa MooN, named after her Welsh corgi, is located in New Hope.

Teachers and Influences
Lynne Merchant, Celie Fago, Barbara Becker-Simon, Chris Darway, Linda Kaye-Moses, Robert Dancik

Affiliations and Memberships
Pennsylvania Guild of Craftsmen, 1996-present
PMC Guild, 2000-present
Pennsylvania Society of Goldsmiths, 1999-present
Artsbridge Artisans, 1999-2002
Metalheads Guild, VT, 1998-2000

Exhibitions
The Art Scene Gallery Show, West Chester, PA, 2008
Monsoon Gallery Show, Bethelehem, PA, 2007
PMC Traveling Exhibition in Japan, 2004-2005
Delaware Art Museum, 2003
Salute to the Masters Show, Fairview Heights, IL, 2002
Expressions of Womanhood, St. Louis Artist Guild, St. Louis, MO, 2002
Millennial Metal National Show, Lynn Bignell Gallery, Brookfield, CT, 2001
Buyers Market of American Craft, Philadelphia, PA, 1999
Baltimore Craft Show, Baltimore, MD, 2003-2006
Faculty Show: 25 Years of Art, Lynn Bignell Gallery, Brookfield, CT, 2001
Palmer Museum of Art, University Park, PA, 2000

Major Awards
Best in Show, PA Guild of Craftsmen at F&M, 2006
First Place Jewelry Design, Shad Fest, Lambertville, NJ, 2000
Walter Schunk Memeorial Award, Jurors' Choice 1999
First Place Wearable Art, Shad Fest, 1999
Best Booth Display, Shad Fest, 1999

Teaching and Professional Appointments
Lapidary Journal Bead Fest, 2004
PA Guild of Craftsmen, lectures/demos, 2002-2008
Brookfield Craft School, CT, Wire Work and Bead Design, 1999-2005
Snow Farm New England School of Crafts, Northampton, MA, Wire Work and Bead Design, 1999-2005
Pennsylvania Society of Goldsmiths, Philadelphia, PA, Wire Work Design, 2002
New Hope Community School Continuing Education, New Hope, PA, Wire Work Design, 2001
Flemington Art School, Flemington, NJ, Head of Jewelry Department, Wire Work and Basic Design, 1999
Artworks, Trenton, NJ, Wire Work and Bead Design, 1999
New York Bead Society, New York, NY, Advanced Wire Work Design, 2000
DaKoTa MooN Studio, New Hope, PA