The Bead & Button Show announced:

Excellence in Bead Artistry Award

"We are pleased to announce that Diane Fitzgerald was the recipient of the 2008 Excellence in Bead Artistry Award. This year's award honors Diane's achievements with a $1,000 gift certificate from Shipwreck Beads."

News: 

Two new sets of instructions are offered on my Instructions page: the Topiary Ball and Zulu Meets Swarovski (you'll love the Bling!)

 Diane Fitzgerald is a bead collector and jewelry designer who works with a variety of beads large and small, old and new. Since 1989, Diane has taught classes at her shop, Beautiful Beads, in Minneapolis, Minnesota, across the U.S. and internationally. As a collector, she focuses on contemporary American art glass beads and European and Japanese vintage beads. Diane has traveled to South Africa to study Zulu and Xhosa beadwork and to the Czech Republic, Germany and other areas to learn about the glass bead industry and meet beadworkers and beadmakers. Diane has a graduate degree in Mass Communication from the University of Minnesota with a minor in Design.

The latest of my latest books, Zulu Inspired Beadwork: Weaving Techniques and Projects, has 128 pages of fascinating techniques and projects featuring original Zulu pieces and never-before documented techniques. ($24.95 plus postage) My other books include Beading with Brick Stitch, Netted Beadwork and The Beaded Garden: Creating Flowers with Beads and Thread.

Diane's books include The Beaded Garden: Creating Flowers with Beads and Thread, Netted Beadwork, and Beading with Brick Stitch, published by Interweave Press. She is also the author of Beads and Threads: A New Technique for Fiber Jewelry, Counted and Charted Patterns for Flat Peyote Stitch, Sea Anemone Beadwork.

Diane also writes for several magazines including Beadwork, Bead & Button, Bead Unique and others. Diane's work has appeared in several books including Beadazzled: Where Beads and Inspiration Meet by Penelope Diamanti: Braided Garland Necklace

Shop hours are by chance and appointment. Please call or e-mail me if you'd like to stop by.