Kira Nelson
Kira has many years of experience in various visual arts forms. She studied studio arts and education at the
University of New Hampshire, and as a graduate student she taught in the arts department in both a high school
& elementary school. Kira then began designing jewelry and taught beadwork classes at Bead Shine in Portsmouth,
New Hampshire, for over two years before moving back to Connecticut.
Kristen LaViola
Kristen is a self-taught jewelry designer, who has been making jewelry for 6 years.
Her mission to bring the wearer of her creations the manifestation of their hopes & dreams in beauty.
She is the owner of Manifest Beads, Manifest Jewelry, Manifest Rosaries, and Sorella Bridal Jewelry.
She enjoys working in wire, and specializes in semi-precious stones.
Barbara Richard
Barb Richard, of Guilford, has been beading for about five years and began teaching three years ago.
She has been published several times in Beadwork Magazine, most recently in the April/May 2009 issue with the project "Urban Chic", a necklace of pyrite and silver with peyote bezel work. She has her own line of beadwork patterns, specializing in bead crochet and bead weaving.
Kathy Swenning
Kathy Swenning is a self-taught polymer clay artist & designer, specializing in beads & jewelry. She has been
working with polymer clay for over 15 years & is continually experimenting with new & exciting techniques.
Kathy, a Milford resident, is an elementary school teacher and current stay at home mom.
Pat Roof
Pat is self taught in beading and has been beading for about 18 years and teaching for 5. She enjoys teaching the basic beadweaving techniques using small seed beads. Once you have the basics mastered the sky is the limit. She believes there is a shape, size, and color of bead for everyone.