Heather Powers
Heather Powers is the organizer of the Bead Cruise, a popular beadmaker and a jewelry-designer. Her work has been featured in numerous publications including BeadStyle, Stringing, Bead Trends, Beadwork and more. Her work has appeared on HGTV's That's Clever and PBS' Beads, Baubles and Jewels. Heather is also the founder and editor of the blog, The Art Bead Scene that celebrates art beads and inspires those who use them. Be sure to check out Heather's first book Jewelry Designs from Nature from Kalmbach Publishing.
You can view Heather's work and learn more at her website: www.humblebeads.com.
Beverly Herman
Over the past 22 years Beverly has become an expert at a variety of beading techniques which she quickly translated into her own design sensibility. She has been teaching and sharing her bead knowledge for over 16 years. She teaches her original designs at bead retreats and classes throughout the South. For 5 years she was facilitator of the New Orleans Bead Bead Society. Her work has also been published in national bead magazines and books. You can find more of her designs and patterns in her etsy shop and her website www.noeasybeads.com.
Tracy Stanley
Tracy has been teaching beading and wire working techniques for over 20 years. She loves organic elements and brings that into her work. She rarely plans pieces out, rather allows her self to follow a path and letting things fall together naturally. Tracy is a big believer in quality tools and solid techniques and enjoys passing this on to her students so that they too can make quality pieces that are structurally sound, creating pieces that they can be proud of.
Check out her book: Making Wire and Bead Jewelry- Artful Wirework Techniques.
Tracy has just opened Wire & Metal Arts Studio in Kirkland Washington, a studio offering classes and open studio times. For information on when the studio is open and to set up a visit email Tracy at Tracy@WiredArts.net
Stay in touch by checking Tracy out on Facebook or on her blog: TracyStanleyWireandmetalarts.blogspot.com
Shelley NybakkeI have always had a passion for doing something with my hands. Knitting, Needlepoint, cross stitch, playing piano and of course eating cookies. Little did I know that this training would be the foundation to what would become a bonafide passion the day I discovered beads. Now I just bead.....and eat cookies and watch that piano gather dust.I live in Central Illinois, grew up on a farm not too far away, and lived in the country for many many years. I am now a town girl having moved to Normal a few years ago. Yes, Normal is the name of the town. Not me.
I love to travel and thanks to my beading life, I get that opportunity frequently. I have met and became friends with beaders around the world for which I am thankful which has been the best benefit of beading. And the patience beading has taught me. For that I am grateful too.
And my grandson, Jules, is the apple of my eye. He doesn't bead yet but we do share cookies!
You can view Shelly's work on her website www.shelleynybakke.com
Beki Haley
Beki Haley has been in love with beads for over 40 years now. She was introduced to the amazing art form of seed bead weaving her Grandmother when sh was a child. That early start in exploring the intricacies and fine detail that can be attained with seed beads has stayed with Beki throughout her life. Even as a young teen, Beki loved teaching others all the beautiful things that can be created with beads. She has over 30 years of teaching experience in several different venues from large auditorium settings to intimate one-on-one classes.
Training as a classic silversmith at a young age gave Beki an appreciation and understanding of the art and beauty of jewelry design. Beki uses those formal skills to teach the technical aspects of jewelry design. In her classe, the students learn the importance of attention to detail and craftsmanship while exploring their natural creativity. Her love and beads led Beki to opener own bead store, Out on A Whim, in 1986. With her husband, four children, several animals, and days filled with beads, Beki's life is complete. Visit Beki's site for more information: www.whimbeads.com.
Erin Siegel
Erin is an accomplished jewelry designer and bead instructor with a passion for sharing her knowledge, experience and ideas. She loves creating casual, everyday jewelry with rustic, organic materials such as antiqued metals, gemstones and waxed line cord. Erin teaches jewelry-making classes locally as well as nationally. She is also a regular project contributor for String Magazine and Co-Author of Bohemian Inspired Jewelry. Visit her website: www.erinsiegel.com.