Faculty
TERRI BAY
Terri Bay, a teacher and designer from South Carolina, began teaching Ukrainian Whitework at Nordic Needle’s retreat. One class led to another and now she has taught Ukrainian Whitework, Hardanger, pulled and drawn thread, and blackwork at the EGA National Seminar, ANG Seminar, NAN, regional seminars, chapter workshops, and various retreats and other fun events. She was honored to be the featured designer in the Designers Across America feature in the June 2018 issue of Needle Arts magazine and has had designs in Needle Pointers and Just Cross Stitch. Terri is a member of EGA, EAC, ANG, and NETA.
MARGARET BENDIG
Margaret Bendig resides in Santa Ana, CA. She teaches needlework throughout North America and Canada, at shops in California and Arizona as well as for EGA region Seminars and ANG national seminars. Although she loves all needlework, her focus is on counted thread techniques and counted canvas designs. Her designs have been featured as programs and workshops for many EGA and ANG chapters as well as in Needlepoint Now and Needle Pointers magazines. Margaret began designing and teaching over 25 years ago. Margaret is an enthusiastic teacher and very willing to share her knowledge. She is always looking for an opportunity to use a skill or method in a new way.
CELESTE CHALASANI
Celeste Chalasani is an award winning designer and teacher specializing in Stumpwork. She has taught extensively both in person and virtually for the Embroiderers’ Guild of America (EGA) at chapter workshops and regional and national seminars; the National Academy of Needlearts; other regional guilds; Quiltfest and Craftsy. She is a graduate of the National Academy of Needlearts Teachers’ Certification program specializing in Stumpwork.
BARBARA ELLIS
Barbara Ellis is originally from Chicago, IL and graduated from Ringling School of Art and Design in Sarasota, FL. She has received many awards for her work as a licensed Interior Designer and as a creator of fine jewelry. Barbara designs her own beaded jewelry pieces and patterns. She has been published in "Beadwork Magazine" several times and has been a participant in many of the Toho Challenge events. Two of her pieces have traveled to both Japan and Germany on exhibition. She was selected as one of the Bead Dreams Finalists in 2017 and 2019. Currently, her one of a kind Beaded Spats are on display in the Museum of Beads located in Portland, ME. By teaching at Center for the Arts Bonita Springs, FL., and at various EGA events and other organizations, she shares her love of beading. Barbara exhibits with the Naples Artcrafters at monthly tent shows and events, special events at The Shangra-la Springs in Bonita Springs, and now on display at The Hand & Harvest Artisan Market at Mercato in Naples, FL.
KATE FESTO
Kate Festo is a lifelong stitcher and an EGA Certified teacher in silk and metal thread embroidery. She is authorized to teach the Japanese needlework technique called Rozashi by the American designate of the Kunimitsu Rozashi Studios in Japan. She has taught locally in Connecticut at private residences and the public library in New Canaan, CT, at local needlework stores, and at EGA and ANG chapters in the New York Tri-state area. Kate has taught on both the regional and national levels for EGA. She is a member of EGA, ANG, the National Academy of Needlearts, the Japanese Embroidery Center, and the National Embroidery Teachers Association.
TONI GERDES
Toni Gerdes holds Teachers’ Certification from the National Academy of Needlearts specializing in canvas embroidery. She currently serves on the Board of NAN as the Director of Education after serving five years as Assistant Director of Teachers’ Certification. She has also served on the board of directors for several ANG chapters as program chair and president. She is a past president of NETA. She has received numerous awards for her designs, as well as the prestigious NAN Lifetime Achievement Award. Toni has taught for NAN, EGA, and ANG, as well as guilds and shops. She has been published in Needle Pointers, Needlepoint Now, and in Needle Arts as the Designers Across America featured designer. She enjoys all types of stitching and especially sharing her knowledge with others. She currently resides in Colorado.
JONALENE GUTWEIN
Jonalene Gutwein is EGA certified in Counted Thread. She is a member of the Indian River Chapter in Florida as well as the Greater Dallas Chapter. She has been teaching various forms of needlework since 1982 at EGA chapters and events at the regional and national level. She has over 60 needlework publications under the name of Friends in Needlework and multiple EGA Group Correspondence Courses.
KIM HOLLIFIELD
Kim Hollifield has been finishing needlework for designers, needlework shops, and individuals for over 20 years.
KATHY REES
Kathy Rees learned to cross stitch at fourteen and has never stopped using a needle. After earning a business degree and working in the corporate world for eight years, she worked in her family's needlework shop for 18 years. Kathy began designing, publishing, and teaching in 2006, specializing in geometrics with an emphasis on color, offering multiple colorways for many of her designs. She closed her shop in 2011 to design and teach full-time.
