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 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.

In Real Life:

Looking forward to the 3-week Loomwork Series on Monday evenings starting April 8th at BeadFX. Can’t wait to see the color combos people choose to do using one of four style choices. This series is SOLD OUT, but I’d like to know who else is interested.

The Spring Creativ Festival is Apr 26 & 27th at the International Centre in Toronto. Visit Rypan Designs at Booth #372 for all-inclusive kits and patterns.

I’ll be doing three seminars: “Yes, You Too Can Bead!”, “Beader’s Paint Box” and “Beadwork: The Finishing Touch” twice. Schedule your day around them these 45 min. visual presentations. They’re included in the admission. Purchase your Creativ Festival tickets online for a discount and get in at 9 a.m. My first presentation is Fri. 9:30 a.m., well before the doors are open to the public.

Teaching Textured Herringbone, a.k.a. Beaded Soutache at BeadFX on May 4th.

In the Press & Spinoffs:

BEADWORK “cool stuff”, Apr/May 2013 features Netted X’s and O’s Collar Kit. It also mentions the Diamond Earring Kit. Would you like to try one? How about in a workshop setting? I have back issues of “Modnyj” Fashion Beading Magazine for sale at $5 issue/ 5 for $20. The Ukrainian and Russian beaders do amazingly original beadwork. Lots of cabochon work, soutache, beaded flowers, ‘pysanky’ eggs and unique beadweaving. Here’s your chance to to get some inspirational issues. English was introduced starting 2012. How many would you like?

Online:

Visit the Gallery and be inspired! See Maria's own Gallery, Student's work & Wedding stories complete with photos and kit references. Enjoy the eye candy and stories.

Peruse my Portfolio to see projects, published articles, presentation and seminar topics, plus what’s happening in the press.

Learn How To Diagonal Weave Using Triangle Beads from my YouTube video. I show how to beadweave using two very different shapes of beads into a fun tennis bracelet.

Available Presentations & Workshops:

NEW!! “Pysanky & Traditional Dress of Ukraine” debuted Mar 2013 at the Regional Pysanky Exhibit in Toronto. The images are all new. They were shot on March 1st at the Museum of Decorative Folk Arts in Kyiv. This has the best combo of ‘pysanky’ with dress and folk arts of particular regions. This visual presentation was very well received by school children, as well as the audience the next day. There’s still time before Easter on the Julian calendar! Book it anytime because the costumes don’t go in and out of fashion. Same with the Easter Eggs. See how the wrote ‘pysanky’ and dressed at the turn of the 19th to 20th centuries.

“Gerdany — Ukrainian Loomwoven Patterns”, is a visual show of how four different styles of loomweaving are created. Best way to learn is to book a Loomwork Series with custom-made wooden looms and choice of four RD Medallion and Swag patterns or kits.

NEW! Loomwork kits are all-inclusive. They are fully loaded with a 5 pg. Loomwork Overview, 4 pg. detailed tutorial and a color collage showing a ‘gerdan’ in progress. You get seed beads and bugles, two 90mm and two beading needles, thread and twill tape for an easy joining of the medallion on the loom. CLICK to see the stages and styles. The kits are available exclusively from Sandra’s Old World Charms. “Beadwork: THE Most Versatile Art Form”, an inspirational seminar launched at last year’s Creativ Festival, is ready for show & tell elsewhere. I’ll be presenting at the May 21 GLBG meeting.

L2-STR - 2 or 3-Tone Floral Kit or Pattern

“Embellishing your World: Beading and Surface Designs” can change your world.

“Reinterpreting Nature: Adornments & Decor” is the latest eye candy edition combing all sorts of nature-inspired art, craft and architectural detail with beading. Curious?? I’d love to show it to your group.

“Tour of Gerdany Regions of Ukraine” comes with a companion “Ethnographic Regions” travelogue which gives a wonderful overview of Ukraine. I found it gives greater appreciation for the beadwork featured in the “Gerdany Beadwork Tour”.

“Contemporary Beadwork in Ukraine II”, and my first slide show about beadwork in Ukraine are available for booking for bead societies or community events.

CLICK on Presentations and Seminars for more details. I come ready to teach beadweaving or loomwork.

Photo Album of the “White Aster of Love” Book Project (1989 to 1992 and beyond)” is about a unique embroidery and poetry project by dissident Iryna Senyk and a Women’s League in Toronto. Truly inspirational and ready to show anywhere.

See Events/USA or Canada for full details for Creativ Festival, TBS Bead Fair, Bead & Button, Bead Fest, GLBG Bead Bonanza and more...

Best wishes for a Springtime full of creativity.

Happy beading,

Maria

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