RYPAN DESIGNS is a great source for learning how to beadweave your very own creations following clearly illustrated instructions in contemporary beadwork kits, patterns and books.

Maria Rypan is a designer, artist and publisher of beadwork instruction books and a recognized expert on ‘gerdany’, the Ukrainian-style of beading. She enjoys transforming everything from seed beads to CRYSTALLIZED Swarovski Elements into designs. Her work is featured in many beadwork publications.

Best of all, Maria teaches beadwork classes internationally since 1995 at various shows, retreats, museums, shops and bead societies. Check out the USA and Canadian events for learning opportunities.

It’s a decade full of NEW events!

From Feb 11 to 15th Maria will be doing her own mini Olympics in Edmonton as guest of Alberta Council for the Ukrainian Arts (ACUA) “Art of Gerdan”. Maria will be giving two presentations and beading workshops at each of three cultural venues. Everyone interested in beading is welcome to come. Be sure to register for workshops. Click for brochure. For details by date, visit Canadian Events.

As the designer and producer of the 1992 Iryna Senyk “White Aster of Love” Book Launch and Premiere fashion show of embroidered dresses modeled to bilingual poetry readings; as designer/producer of 5000 deluxe art books; and as creator of subsequent “Tribute to Iryna” slide shows, Maria is preparing a new Powerpoint presentation. Photo Album of the “White Aster of Love” Book Project” is a tribute to former political prisoner “Iryna Senyk who passed away in Oct 2009 and participants who died since the Launch. It will be shown at the Feb 8th meeting of the UCWLC, St. Demetrius Branch in Toronto to remind the ladies how the League’s involvement brought Senyk’s poetry and embroidery to the world.

From Mar 5 to 7th, Maria will be in Ohio to teach at the Grand River Beads & Gift Gallery near Cleveland. She’s delighted to be March’s First Friday Featured Artist. The Trunk Show kits and patterns will be different from those used in three days of workshops. Click for workshop schedule. Register early!

Rypan’s looking forward to showing “Contemporary Beadwork in Ukraine” Powerpoint and doing a Trunk Show on Mar 8th for the Hall of Fame Beaders’ Guild near Akron, OH, which meets at Beads’N More.

March will be a little nuts. Maria rushes back to Toronto to do the “Almost Spring” Canadian Oasis Bead Show. She will be teaching several new classes, as well as exhibiting RYPAN DESIGNS kits, patterns and books.

GLBG’s Bead Bonanza is Mar 21st in Southfiled, MI. Catch Rypan Designs there....

Plans are in the works for Apr 17 to 18th visit to Ottawa Bead Society.

Visit rypandesigns.blogspot.com for a teaser about an upcoming event, something on folk arts or beading or an interesting story. There is so much to share, but little time.....

Visit RYPAN DESIGNS Catalogue of kits, patterns and books or www.buythekit.com

Visit the Gallery and be inspired! See Student's work, Wedding stories complete with photos and references to kit inspiration and Maria's own Gallery. Enjoy the creations, inspirations and stories.

As well, check out Maria’s Portfolio with published beadwork Articles, In the Press and descriptions of Presentations which can be booked anytime.

Read what inspired my Trypillian Spirit Project for the ROM Gift Shop and see how it was transformed into contemporary beadwork. click for more

Read about therapeutic beading and how beadweaving “saved” Ellen Long's life four years ago. Then read Dorothy’s story about beading’s positive results from South Africa.

If you would like an innovative program for your bead society meeting or cultural event, Maria can come and showcase her “Contemporary Beadwork in Ukraine” Powerpoint for you and your community. Click on Presentations for more details.

See Events/USA or Canada for full details of all my shows for 2010:

USA shows: GLBG Bead Bonanzas in Michigan, Bead & Button in Milwaukee and Bead Fest in Philadelphia

Canadian shows: Almost Spring & Fall Bead Oasis Shows in Toronto, Toronto Bead Society Bead and Jewellery Fairs and Fall Creativ Festival in Toronto

Come, enjoy the galleries. Attend a beadwork workshop or show in your community. Check out the Catalogue for beadwork books, all-inclusive kits or patterns.

Melinda Barta, Editor of BEADWORK and Maria.
Bead Fest 2009, Philadelphia, PA

Happy beading!
Maria