Dizzy Di (Dianne Cracknell), of London, UK, brought out some serious crystals in this stunner, ICE. It was one of the winner of BLING IT UP!, our Design Challenge theme for July 2017.
Made from Swarovski bicone crystals, mainly 4mm with size 11 seed beads as stopper beads, she also peyote-stitched some larger Swarovski bezels, then decorated with various sized Swarovski bicone crystals. The technique that Di used most was bead embroidery stack stitch.
Di has been jewelry making for the past 37 years, and as a full-time jewelry tutor and kit designer for 9 years. She teaches at Hornchurch Tescos Supermarket every Friday evening for two hours and makes a different piece of jewelry each week. Her students love learning a new skill, and then do their weekly shopping. "I love watching a student that has never made anything come away with a piece of jewelry they have created for the first time. I specialize in kits that are suitable for all levels of jewelry making," Dizzy Di explains.
Di also occasionally appears on the Hochanda home shopping TV channel, where she sells her beading kits. At the moment, she is working on Christmas snowflakes for her September TV kits.
On a personal note, Di is married to Pete, who she "drags around to many bead places in the UK and USA." She also answers to the name of "Nan" to 14 fabulous grandchildren.