Amy Lafleur 
About 3 years ago my husband and I were hosting a party for some friends and their children. My husband and I do not have children and I am not used to the high energy they bring with them. Hoping to provide a quiet activity for the children and to avoid their playing hide and seek in my closets, I purchased some inexpensive beading supplies and tools. The children and I did have a couple of hours of quiet fun, but they did get bored and left me at the table happily playing with the beads by myself. I haven’t stopped yet! Beading and jewelry making have given me the chance to feel creative and be successful at it. There is a lot to learn and I doubt I’ll get bored any time soon!

By day – an accounting clerk. By night – a beading addict!

Chris Harvey
I have been interested in beading since childhood. I made my first piece of jewelry in Girl Scouts a few years back. ( :^) ) My favorite techniques are weaving and sewing, and I am always excited to learn something new.

I have a degree in business and have worked in various administrative positions worldwide. I always found myself returning to beading for a sanity break. My other hobbies include stitching, baking, and riding my Harley-Davidson Ultra Classic.

 

Doreen Ramirez
 I come to Nashua’s Bead Room from New York City with a background in Medical Technology. Concerning my experience with beads/beading, I am particularly intrigued by timeless classic style with stones and pearls. I do, however, have an affinity for the more unorthodox. I love creating a piece of jewelry from non-traditional recycled “found” objects. Glass shards, paper, metal, nuts and bolts hardware, and industrial machine parts find their way into my pieces. I enjoy teaching folks and find the particular joy of teaching “beginning” student’s fun, sharing their excitement in the creative process.

Bead on…

 

Robin Panousis
My friends and family call me an “artsy” person. I’ve dabbled with many handicrafts – pottery (back in the 70’s when it was cool), folk art painting, quilting, and of course beading. As a child I would find rocks, shells, buttons – anything had the potential to become a piece of jewelry. I’d wrap a piece of string around it and tie it on to my neck or wrist. I still have some of those pieces; I guess they would be called vintage today.

I began to seriously make jewelry about 5 years ago; occasionally creating pieces for family and friends. I’d buy just what I needed for a piece of jewelry. Eventually I met and fell in love with the beading process – now I never have enough beads!!!

A friend came to lunch one day wearing a beaded bracelet that I loved. When she told me she made it I knew I had to learn the technique. During another lunch, I learned the Russian Spiral. I love this weave so much I am currently teaching this at the Bead Room. I also teach Beginner Bracelet and Earring classes for children.

My favorite beads are natural stones: jasper, onyx, agate, carnelian, and amber to name a few. The best part of working (playing!) at the Bead Room is meeting customers and sharing ideas.

Keep Beading!

 

Sherry Fanning
I am a long time employee of BAE Systems Inc., an electronics manufacturer in Nashua NH. A lot of techniques used in manufacturing electronics can be and are used in making jewelry; specifically the Beginner Earring and Wire Wrapping classes. Bracelets and necklaces use crimps which require special tooling – also similar to tooling in the electronics business.

My background is in Mechanical Engineering. I find this influence in my symmetrical designs – balanced in all directions. I have difficulty relating to asymmetrical designs, though appreciate other’s creations.

I especially like to work with unique items. My favorites are lamp-worked beads of animals (dogs, horses, etc.). I also like working with semi-precious and precious stones; as well as I working with rocks picked out of streams. I like the rough stone as well as the polished; sometimes stones “in-the-rough are better for certain designs.

I teach beginner classes, including earrings, bracelet and necklace design, and wire wrapping. I also teach Right Angle Weave and Spiral Rope Weave, (both used in many designs featured in beading magazines and books), and Chain and Bead (integrating beads and chain in jewelry creations). I hope to add a class in Beaded Doilies in the near future.

http://mysite.verizon.net/twobuckbaby

ANYA ZAKIEWICZ
I am a painter and artisan currently living in Nashua, NH.

I have been interested in beads, jewelry, and shiny stuff all of my life. My personal bead collection began in my teens. I would acquire beads whenever I happened upon them. The same with jewelry, especially Sterling Silver. About 4 years ago, I finally found a way to work with beads other than putting them on some sort of string and tying a knot. I began making tiny knitted beaded amulet bags. I am hooked on these. I came to the Bead Room to buy the size 11 seed beads required for these, along with any other beads that might catch my eye. Rene stopped me one day and asked what I was doing with all the seed beads I was buying and I showed her an example. I was offered a job here, and it changed my relationship with beads in a very positive way. The job required I learn the fundamentals of beading/earring creation and I haven’t stopped since.

I have since learned quite a few weaving techniques including Spiral Rope, Russian Spiral, Right Angle Weave, Peyote Stitch, Various Fringe techniques, Bead Crochet. I am also reading and looking at Bead Embroidery and plan to attempt that soon. I love to work with Sterling Silver wire; wrapping, bending, and hammering… I love the challenge of creating metal elements to use in my jewelry creations. The more I learn, the more I want to learn. The possibilities are endless.

Creating jewelry and/or beaded objects satisfies yet another creative drive in me. I have a particular passion for natural materials and carefully consider the physical and metaphysical properties of what I use in each of my creations. It is my personal joy and honor to have many people buying and wearing my creations.

Who knew my part time job here would turn into such a creative and connective adventure!

When a door opens, walk through.

RENE BODMER
My beading experience began when I was 10 years old. I would string little brown seeds onto string to make necklaces. I sold these necklaces to get money for the movies. I’ve always been enterprising.

In time I began going to flea markets and yard sales to buy old jewelry. I took these pieces apart and created my own designs, bringing my jewelry to flea markets to sell. I sold out at my first market! I soon found that, though my jewelry was selling, people were also interested in buying my beads. This brought me to opening a one-room store on Main St. in Nashua, NH to sell my jewelry and jewelry making supplies. The one room grew to two, eventually growing into my little shop at 108 W. Hollis St.

I am self-taught in most areas of beading and jewelry creation, feeling the need to “know it all”. I took a course in Classic Pearl Knotting at the Gemology Institute, loving the technique and desiring to do it the way the masters do. I offer a workshop in Classic Pearl Knotting by appointment only.

My love of color inspired my interest in gemstones, crystals, and fine glass beads; treasures I enjoy bringing to other artisans through my business. I am a painter and this love of color also comes alive in my paintings

I require the same dedication and interest from my employees and teachers. It is important that anyone taking a class in my shop learn the technique they desire, and have fun doing it! Life is short – and I choose to do what brings me joy, and to share this joy whenever I can.

BARBARA LESTER
I have always been involved in something “crafty”. Several years ago I started playing around with beads and wire – and got hooked!!! I took some classes and experimented with several techniques. Over the years I’ve developed what I call a “whimsical, eclectic, one-of-a-kind style. I love to work with semi-precious stones, crystals, pearls, sterling silver, and polymer clay. Most recently I’ve developed an interest in working with fused dichroic glass and creating lampwork beads. This has proven to be the most challenging in my attempts to master the craft. These are works in progress!

I also love working with precious metal jump rings, creating chain maille jewelry. I especially enjoy teaching this ancient weaving technique to others.