Q: Tell me a little about yourself!
Where are you from? What are your hobbies? Do you create jewelry full time?
A: I am Diana Ishimizu, owner of
Paradise Metal Art. I was born in Japan but raised in the US. I have lived in
Long Beach for nine years. Aside from making jewelry, I also like to paint, go
to shows, get tattooed and run. I work as a jeweler and custom fabricator full-time.
Q: How did you get in the jewelry
business?
A: I have always been an artist, but I
have been making jewelry since I was 14. I learned traditional techniques by
Native Americans from Arizona. I decided to major in metal-smithing at El
Camino College in Torrance, Ca. and I obtained my BFA from Cal State Long Beach
in 3D Media-Metals. I started my business, Paradise Metal Art in the beginning
of 2012. I started at Patchwork Festival in Long Beach at an $80 booth and the
next year was in the Pool Trade Show/Magic in Las Vegas selling
internationally.
Q: Do you have a favorite metal?
A: Silver is my metal of choice, but I
also enjoy working with gold.
Q: How do you come up with pieces? What
is your inspiration?
Q: How did you come up with your
label/brand/name?
A: It was Jorge Luis Borges that said,
'I have always imagined that paradise will be a kind of library.' My paradise
has always been jewelry and fabrication.
Q: Any special instructions or tricks
people wouldn’t normally know? Storage? Care? Cleaning?
Q: What do you
dance to by yourself?
A: Everything! I like a wide variety of
music and I have no problems dancing like Elaine to any song.
Edited by Toni Mathews ms.tonimathews@gmail.com
