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About The Bead Divas of Lake Geneva
and The Beadologist
Jan Ketza Harris
Following her passion of loving all kinds of art Jan’s creative outlets have
included her wearable art clothing and jewelry business called, “Picasso’s Creative
Clothing”. This 20 year business evolved into her current beading adventures
of designing jewelry. Jan is co-owner of Galena Beads –“Serving Creativity”,
in Galena IL and co-owner of Beadology.
Her children, nieces and nephews have always enjoyed her art studio and
the endless art supplies it held. Aunt Janice always made sure they had
art supplies for birthday gifts and Christmas presents which eventually
lead to beading supplies with the right tools to use.
Jan is a published jewelry designer with a long list of publications which
include, “The Complete Guide to Beading”, by Susan Ray and has graced the
cover of Stringing Magazine Fall 2006 cover. Wire Crochet is her specialty
and regularly teaches classes to share her self taught knowledge.
In addition to designing and teaching, Jan is an avid painter. The paintings on display at Beadology are her original works of art. Visit her online at www.JanKetzaHarris.com to view a collection of her vibrant paintings.
Jude McKinley
Jude loves nature and working in her perennial garden. She brings the
colors of her garden to her jewelry designs. Jude is fascinated by Vintaj
Natural Brass and is continually developing new ways to use the findings
in creative ways. Experimenting with different crafts at family events,
Jude had a natural knack at design that eventually became her passion.
She is fascinated by the stones and where they come from. In one of her
pieces stones and beads can come from all over the world and look so beautiful
together. She uses Vintaj Natural Brass in most of her work for it gives
her look a natural and organic feel.
She is also a wonderful cook, who loves making her family happy. Jude’s cheesecake recipe is by far award winning, along with many of her other tasty dishes.
“The happiness I feel when someone purchases one of my designs just thrills me so much…that I want to make even more!” –Jude McKinley
Jill McKinley
Beadology has opened a whole new creative door for Jill. After graduating
cosmetology school where she specialized and thrived in the Make-up Arts,
Jill landed a dream job working for BeBe Fashions. Working for their
stores in Chicago and Milwaukee, she learned the world of fashion thru
this high energy company and rose to top sales person in both locations.
When the opportunity rose to join the Beadology crew, Jill eagerly joined in on the adventure. She loves using her imagination and sharing her design skills in creative ways.
This emerging artist is currently studying glass fusing with dichroic glass and the extraordinary colors it offers.
“I am very grateful for the opportunity to have a business with my family in Lake Geneva. Believe it or not…it all comes together with beads.” – Jill Mc Kinley
Jenni Knight
Jenni has immersed herself in photographic and fine art studies throughout
her life. She graduated college with a Bachelor in Fine Arts and immediately
began working as a photographer. For several years she gained experience
shooting fashion performances, luxury weddings, and corporate events, where
she photographed high profile politicians and celebrities for companies
such as Comcast, A&E Television, and Showtime.
In 2005 she launched Alta Prima Creative, where she incorporates her passion and learning into her own style of Fine Art Photography. Her work is on display at Beadology. Please visit www.AltaPrimaCreative.com to learn more about her “Light Paintings”.
“It has been a wonderful creative adventure growing up in an art studio with unlimited supplies. I had the best of everything-even at an early age…Mom made sure of that.” –Jenni Knight
Jeff McKinley
Jeff is our resident “Beadologist”. He is intrigued by the arts and all the creative outlets it has to offer. He is hip on current trends and what
is in style. Jeff brings the male view into Beadology in developing this
fast growing male market.
Currently he is studying fusible glass and glass bead making. The torch and the flame just fascinate him. Melting glass into pieces of art compels him to create even more.
Beadology is located in the old Geneva Sports storefront. Growing up he use to go there and dream of having a business just like Geneva Sports. Little did he know his dream would come true…but it would be a bead store.
Val Sikorski
Grandma Val is the matriarch of this creative family. She quest for the
finer things in life and has a flair for interior decorating. Val has
worked for the US Post Office for 39 years as a clerk and has exceptional
organizational skills.
“Beadology makes me very happy…for it has brought my whole family together working and laughing! I just love being with my girls and keeping their books organized.” –Val Sikorski
Chelsea Harris
Chelsea is addicted to art in so many ways. She has a creative mind that
constantly comes up with wonderful ideas. Chelsea is a published jewelry
designer and has been on staff at Galena Beads for 7 years as an instructor
and exhibiting designer.
Sharing their love of art with Mom-Jan and sister-Jenni…the 3 of them have been known to get lost in their own world of art in day long conversation and in art projects together.
When the opportunity came about to be part of Beadology with the family, Chelsea just couldn’t wait to spend time with her cousin Jill and her Aunt Judy who she thinks is the funniest woman alive.