Celebrity Appearances

Deborah NorvilleCrafter, Author & Inside Edition News Anchor

Deborah Norville is a lifelong knitter. And a crocheter and a home sewer who also does macramé, needlepoint, embroidery, decoupage, and woodworking. Since first picking up a preprinted embroidery hoop at the age of four, Deborah has had a long love affair with sewing and crafts. In fact, she says her skill as a seamstress directly attributed to her career as one of the nation’s most enduring broadcasters.

The Deborah Norville Collection of fine hand knitting yarns is her latest adventure in the domestic arts. Partnering with Premier Yarns, Norville has just launched the Serenity Collection of knitting & crochet yarns in four weights: Chunky, Sport, Worsted, and Sock. Unique in their softness and durability, the entire collection is machine washable and earning rave reviews from knitters around the country. The Deborah Norville Collection can be found in the nation’s top craft & hobby chains around the country, as well as online at www.premieryarns.com.

Deborah is the author of Knit with Deborah Norville (Leisure Arts, 2009) a collection of classic patterns for knitting. The book features 18 projects from sweaters and baby items to iPods and Christmas stockings. The book is also available in craft and book stores throughout the U.S., on Amazon, or at www.leisurearts.com.

Why all these new projects on the domestic front? Says Deborah, “I have been sewing since I was four and knitting since I was eight, but the suits at the networks really discouraged my talking about it, as it wasn’t exactly in keeping with the ‘tough, credible journalist’ image they wanted to project. But my love of these pastimes has not only helped keep me sane during turbulent times in my career, it enabled me to even be in broadcasting. I made so little money when I first started, I had to make my own clothes!”

Deborah also says the self confidence that comes from knitting gifts for loved ones or making her own clothes (she even sewed all of the dresses for her bridesmaids when she was married), has enabled her to tackle some daunting challenges as a journalist.

To television viewers around the world, Deborah Norville is the Emmy winning anchor of Inside Edition, the nation’s top-rated syndicated newsmagazine seen across America and in 33 countries. Norville is also the author of six books, most recently The Power of Respect, which followed her New York Times best-seller, Thank You Power: Making the SCIENCE of Gratitude Work for YOU (Thomas Nelson, 2007.

Deborah is married to Karl Wellner and the mother of three. She can be reached via her website www.dnorville.com

WylandArtist

Wyland is one of the most celebrated and recognized artists in our time, and has captured the attention of the world with his spectacular marine life paintings and landmark Whaling Wall murals. With half a million collectors in over 30 countries, he has done more than any other artist to raise awareness of the beauty of life on our blue planet. His equally successful Wyland Foundation, in partnership with the Scripps Institution of Oceanography and the Ocean Institute of Dana Point, Calif, is actively engaged in teaching millions of students around the nation about conservation of our oceans, rivers, lakes, streams, and wetlands. His latest project, FOCUS (Forests, Oceans, Climate — and US) brings together the U.S. Forest Service, NOAA, the Wyland Foundation, numerous non-profits to teach young people about our forests and ocean - and how these two irreplaceable resources hold the key to the future of our water supplies, climate, and global health.

Carol DuvallCrafter & Television Host

Carol Duvall started in television in Grand Rapids, MI in 1951 as writer, co-producer and host of a daily children’s show. Within a year she was also hosting a daily women’s show in addition to a daily radio program. In 1962 the NBC station in Detroit hired her to host a daily one hour variety program which also featured crafts. Two years later she started hosting “Here’s Carol Duvall” a craft show which ran daily for 14 years. She also traveled the country guesting on a variety of local programs as well as serving as a representative of the Polaroid corporation demonstrating a variety of photo crafts. After moving to northern Michigan in 1979 she continued her travels until 1988 when the ABC network hired her to join the cast of “The Home Show” as their craft “Wizard”.The show ended its run in April 1994 and two months later she was hosting “The Carol Duvall Show” on the newly formed HGTV network. The show ran daily for over 12 years on HGTV and for another four years on the DIY network.

Carol is mother to two grown sons and grandmother to two grown grandsons.

Dee GruenigDesigner, Author & Rubber Stamping Expert

You know Dee from her 70 appearances on HGTV’s Carol Duvall Show that began after she was first to introduce rubber stamping to Americans on ABC Television’s live Home Show. She discovered rubber stamps in 1979, then owned 6 stores, made 10 successful videos/DVDs and wrote or co-authored 10 books, including the 1996 Book of the Month Club’s best seller, The Great Rubber Stamp Book. It sold 180,000 copies before taking off in paperback sales. Over the years she has personally taught over 30,000 students and has licensed or shared her designs and ideas with 12 leading companies such as Plaid/All Night Media, Mrs. Grossman, Uchida, Paper Adventures, Design Originals and Ranger. Dee is loved for her genuine connection to crafters with her effervescence and passion. Today she assists respected Stamp A Mania by placing her clean, bold and colorful designs into their new, efficient method of unmounted rubber stamping. Please greet her as she stamps for you in Stamp A Mania’s booth.

Vickie HowellDesigner, Writer and DIY Lifestyles Expert

Vickie Howell is a mother, self-taught designer, writer, spokesperson, best-selling author, and DIY Lifestyles Expert with a focus on the Needle Arts and environmentally conscious crafting.

Vickie is most well-known as the Host and Creative Consultant of 8 seasons of DIY Network & HGTV’s show, Knitty Gritty. She was also the co-host of DIY’s Stylelicious, Lifetime Television’s web series, CRAFTED, and several craft-based TV specials.

Vickie has been featured internationally in numerous televisions shows, radio broadcasts and publications including: NBC’s The Today Show, BBC Radio Scotland, E! Entertainment’s Singled Out, and Real Simple Magazine.

The book behind Vickie’s community-driven project, Craft Corps hits shelves in May ’10. Until then, she’s encouraging artists, crafters and creative types of all kinds to join “The Corps” by telling their stories through profiles on the Craft Corps page of this site.

Craft.Rock.Love

Cathie Filian & Steve PiacenzaDIY Gurus, Plaid National Spokespersons

Plaid is proud to have Cathie Filian and Steve Piacenza, D.I.Y. gurus, as national spokespersons. The pair brings a fresh approach to creative living with their "outside the box ideas" for crafts, recipes and home décor. Cathie and Steve create, produce and co-host the popular lifestyle shows, Creative Juice & Witch Crafts on HGTV & DIY Network. In 2007, they were nominated for an Emmy for Outstanding Lifestyle Hosts for their work on Creative Juice and in 2008, they were nominated for their second Emmy for Outstanding Lifestyle Program for their work on Witch Crafts.

Cathie and Steve write DIY Hobbies, a syndicated newspaper column for Scripps Howard News Service and a lifestyle blog as well as contribute to national shelter publications such as Life Magazine, Real Simple, Redbook and many others.

Aleene JacksonCraft Industry Pioneer and creator of Aleene's Tacky Glue

Recognized world-wide as the craft industry pioneer and beloved for her Aleene’s Tacky Glue, Aleene created a world-wide phenomenon when she launched the craft industry in the 1960’s with her Aleene’s Craftmakers Caravan. When over 20,000 people showed up for her first event, she knew it was BIG but little did she know the impact that she would make over the next 50 years and beyond. By the early 1950’s Aleene was making regular appearances on top daytime television shows such as Art Linkletter, Tennessee Ernie Ford, Dinah Shore and Gypsy Rose Lee generating hundreds of thousands of requests for free craft instruction sheets after each appearance. At 86 years young, Aleene is as enthusiastic about exciting the consumer to enjoying the benefits of crafting today as she was when she opened her first creative business in 1944 at the age of 19. Aleene is revered as a legend in the craft industry.

Jo PearsonMichaels Creative Expert

As Michaels Creative Expert for the past 23 years, Jo Pearson’s office at Michaels Stores headquarters is unlike most in corporate America – open her craft room doors to find a sea of color, feathers, flowers, glitter and glue.

She began crafting at age 7, making potholders and selling them to family members and friends to earn money for more supplies. In 1986, she saw a sign in the window at her local Michaels in St. Louis and applied for a job. Since then she has been responsible for dreaming up literally thousands of projects for Michaels, Michaels.com, TheKnackKids.com and WhereCreativityHappens.com.

She has been a regular guest on national TV shows like Lifetime Network’s “Our Home” and “Handmade by Design,” and authored several how-to books. Jo’s enthusiasm, creativity and knowledge have made her a favorite of TV audiences as well as readers.

Her first series of webisodes, which debuted over the 2008 holiday season, had over 800,000 views on YouTube, and drove more than 170,000 unique visitors to WhereCreativityHappens.com, Michaels’ dedicated site for ideas and inspiration.

Jo’s fun personality shines through on the brand new series of spring how-to webisodes, as she shares with viewers Michaels’ philosophy that anyone can be creative with the right inspiration. All of the videos are unscripted, with Jo giving easy tips and techniques to save time and money while creating beautiful homemade gifts and decor.

“No matter what your skill level, you can have fun and make wonderful projects from the heart for yourself or friends and family,” she said. “After all these years, I’m still learning new things all the time, and so can you!”

To view Jo’s new videos, go to wherecreativityhappens.com

Terri OCHA Craft Spokesperson

Terri Ouellette known to her fans as “Terri O” is a 2 time Emmy award winning television personality. As a home arts expert, Terri O shares her passion for creativity thru her book and television appearances across the country.

Terri O’s expertise is how to create something out of nothing! For 6 years and running the Craft & Hobby Association has chosen Terri O to inspire America. She lends her expertise as an expert in upcoming trends as well as consumer needs.

Currently Terri hosts and produces internet based video programming to inspire creativity. www.terriocraftprojects.com features craft projects for the craft challenged as well as segments featuring products, tools, tips, techniques and how to re-use what you already have to decorate with!

Terri O has been a featured guest on “The Early Show”, the Discovery Channel, HGTV, TLC and host of “Crafting with Terri O” on QVC. Terri continues to write articles, contribute projects for newspapers and magazines, host a weekly radio show as well as weekly live TV segments and media tours. As a mom of two boys who love to get dirty, Terri O finds herself riding quads, dirt bikes and camping whenever she can.

Double Stitch TwinsCrochet Fashion Designers

DOUBLE STITCH is the brainchild of the multi-talented, identical twin, crochet fashion designers, Erika & Monika Simmons. Their original collection of fun and flirty hand crochet apparel has it all - one of a kind construction, limitless use of color, plush fabrication, and silhouettes that flatter all body types.

Since the launch of their brand during Christmas 2002, DOUBLE STITCH has leapt to the top of the "ones to watch" list. They have received the Fashion Group International's Rising Star Award, the YWCA Promise Award and have appeared on ABC News, Fox Morning News, NBC, and WGN morning show. DOUBLE STITCH has also been featured in numerous publications including: Women's Wear Daily, The New York Times, Chicago Magazine, Chicago Tribune, Chicago Sun Times, The Craft Report, Interweave Crochet magazine, Uptown magazine, Time Out Chicago, Upscale magazine, Brides Noir, and Ebony. Celebrity fans include: Academy-Award winning actress/singer, Jennifer Hudson; Grammy-Award winning singer, Patti LaBelle; Grammy-Award winning hip-hop rappers, Common and Eve; actress, Rachel True (UPN’s Half & Half), singers, Floetry, Kindred the Family Soul Artist, and Aja.

In 2008, Erika & Monika Simmons authored their first book, Double Stitch: Designs for the Crochet Fashionista (Interweave Press). The best-selling book has earned DOUBLE STITCH favorable reviews and was included in Ebony magazine's December 2008 issue as a "must-give" Christmas gift.

DOUBLE STITCH continues to share their love for crochet with their popular online crochet how-to show, Double Stitch: It's Not Your Grandma's Crochet, on VirtueRadioNetwork.com. Double Stitch & the Fashionably Fabulous Club is their latest DIY endeavor. Learn more about the Fashionably Fabulous Club and watch Double Stitch videos at http://www.virtueradionetwork.com/DoubleStitch.htm

Join DOUBLE STITCH on Friday, January 22, 2010 for their CHA Crafts Supershow workshop – “Overhead Sleeves - The Double Stitch Way”.

Kathy Cano-MurilloWriter, Artist and Designer

Kathy Cano-Murillo is a writer, artist, and craft product designer. She has sold her "Chicano Pop Art" crafts and products to hundreds of retailers including Bloomingdales, Target and Michaels. She has authored seven books including Crafty Chica's Guide to Artful Sewing and is the founder of CraftyChica.com, a wildly popular site crafty lifestyle site. She has a web series on LifetimeTV.com, has been profiled in The New York Times, USA Today and NPR, and has an extensive Crafty Chica product line. Kathy's new novel series debuts in March with Waking Up in the Land of Glitter. Kathy lives in Phoenix, AZ, with her husband, two kids and five Chihuahuas. Her motto for life is "Crafts, drama and glitter".

Donna DowneyAuthor and Designer

Donna Downey is a bestselling author, instructor and all-around creative force in the crafting industry. In 2000, she got into scrapbooking as an extension of her paper product and photography addiction. This was only the beginning. From working as a popular columnist for Simple Scrapbooks magazine, to traveling the world inspiring women to push the boundaries of their own creativity, to developing her first fabric scrapbooking line with Prima due out in the Spring of ‘09, She also host her own annual mixed media event in Charlotte, NC called the inspired. Artist Workshop. Donna is consistently on the leading edge of all things cool related to memory preservation art.

As a craft-media artist, Donna is a born experimenter, blending and transforming both traditional and unexpected items into meaningful pieces of self expression. A former elementary school teacher, she has synthesized her first love of teaching with her passion for craft and brings this to women via workshops at scrapbook stores and events, writing books, and through her popular blog and website.

Marisa PawelkoCraft Designer & Founder of Modern Surrealist LLC

Meet celebrity crafter Marisa Pawelko, winner of the CHA Indie Craft Contest and the host of America’s Next Top Crafter. Armed with a formal education in furniture design, Marisa used her talents to design products for the gift, toy, fashion and accessories markets before turning her focus to the craft industry. In 2005, sparked with an idea to create a recycled baby memento-keeper out of one of her son’s baby food jars, she founded Modern Surrealist LLC, which quickly developed an international following. Marisa enjoys inspiring crafters on her blog with thrifty project ideas for “upcycling” ordinary objects, into extraordinary custom creations! Her work has been featured by PBS, HGTV, Illinois State Museum and in countless exhibitions and high end boutiques around the world.

www.modernsurrealist.com

Heidi BorchersAccomplished Artist and Designer

Heidi Borchers was born into the crafting industry. As the daughter of Aleene Jackson, America's beloved "Mother of Crafting" and the inventor of Aleene's Tacky Glue, Heidi spent many of her childhood leisure hours in her mother's shop, gluing, creating, and learning. By the time she was a teenager, Heidi has become an accomplished artist, as well as an inventive designer. In the mid 90's, Heidi launched the largest selling craft book ever published, with sales to date in excess of $30 million. It was the first of a succession of "continuity" books called "Aleene's Big Book of Crafts". Since then, many of her more then two dozen books have been featured in Book of Month Clubs across the country. She launched her national television career as co-host and designer of her mother's show - "Aleene's Creative Living" and remained a staple TV crafting personality for 15 years. Throughout her career, Heidi's designs have been featured in dozens of magazines. Heidi has recently launched Heidi Live on Facebook featuring videos with quick and easy creative tips and designs using eco products and many vintage designs. She also joins her sisters Tiffany Windsor and Candace Liccione on Inspired at Home Blog Talk radio show and Inspired At Home Live on Facebook.

Kristal WickDesigner, Instructor, Author, Product Developer, Mixed Media Artist

Meet the author of the best selling book, FABULOUS FABRIC BEADS in the Craft Star Station on Saturday, January 23rd from 3:00pm-4:00pm. FABULOUS FABRIC BEADS is filled with a combination of beading, scrapbooking, fiber arts, and mixed-media techniques. This amazing book describes how to create 30 handcrafted beads from silk, muslin, ribbons, etc. Chat with Kristal about her 20 easy embellishment techniques incorporating glitter, paint, crystals, or wire. See Kristal's projects from the book in person - stunning jewelry that can be created with inexpensive and readily available supplies and tools described in her book. Kristal is an award winter designer, instructor, author, product developer, mixed media artist and Ambassador for Create Your Style with CRYSTALLIZED™ Swarovski Elements.

Lisa PavelkaDesigner, Author, Instructor & Mixed Media Artist

Lisa Pavelka, is an award winner designer, instructor, author, product developer, mixed media artist and Ambassador for Create Your Style with CRYSTALLIZED & Swarovski Elements. She designs in many mediums but is best known for her polymer clay and metal clay expertise. She has focused her creative energies in taking polymer clay and metal clay in new directions; especially in the areas of mixed media applications. Come chat with Lisa about her techniques, polymer clay books and DVDs, share with her your passions and hear about some of hers. Her specialty areas are: jewelry, home décor, paper crafting, embellishment and much more.

Julie McGuffeeDesigner and Author

Julie has been a host of Scrapbook Memories TV show for 12 years and has appeared frequently on a variety of TV shows and in-store videos. She is an award winning designer and author of over 40 “how to” craft books on a variety of subjects including Decorative Painting, Kids Crafts and silk ribbon embroidery. Julie works with a number of leading manufacturers on product development, design, education and publishing and has authored regular feature columns for industry magazines.

Lisa Shepard StewartAuthor and Designer

Award-winning author and designer Lisa Shepard Stewart promotes the use of African textiles for decorating, sewing, crafts & quilting. She provides crafters with inspiration, instruction and the materials to create unique, culturally relevant projects, giving them an appreciation for the artistry of African cultures. Visit www.CulturedExpressions.com.

The FiskateersCrafting Ambassadors

Lead Fiskateers, Cheryl, Angela, Wendy Jo, Kelly Jo, and Rebecca, are the "go-to" gals for the Fiskateer crafting ambassador movement!  They're blog-posting, shop-hopping, craft-crazy ladies who know a thing or two about spreading the "Fiskars Love"!  Armed with individual strengths and styles, they come together to guide their fellow Fiskateers through on- and off-line crops, project demos and classes, crafting challenges, and RAKs.  Meet up with them at www.fiskateers.com!

Carmen Flores TanisCraft Designer

Carmen Flores Tanis spent her childhood surrounded by an inordinate amount of pipe cleaners, popsicle sticks, glitter and glue.  She is still pulling pieces out of her hair.  With degrees in film and business administration, she has worked in Sound Post Production on films such as "Public Enemies" and “Get Smart”.  (That means she has to keep things tidy and well-organized.)  Instead of sleeping, she loves to make things.  Anything.  Everything.  (That means things get messy and unorganized ... a lot.)  She sells her work at craft shows and online while teaching craft classes regularly at the Sawdust Art Festival in Laguna Beach.  Carmen is also the ringleader for the Red Rabbit Arts & Crafts shows which feature all things handmade by Southern Californian artists & crafts people.

Joan Martin FeeDesigner

Joan Martin Fee has loved making crafty things for a zillion years! You might remember her from the Aleene's Creative Living Television Show where she appeared on over 500 segments demonstrating crafts she designed and those of craft industry manufacturers. She was the Editor of Aleene's Creative Living Magazine and Aleene's Craft Club. Working as a freelance writer, editor, designer and spokesperson, Joan is also very involved with the Center for Obesity Prevention and Education at a local university serving on the Community Advisory Committee and on the committee for the Hands on Health Festival. Her knowledge, skills, and amazing creativity make her a guiding force in the craft industry designing kids’ craft that are friendly, healthy and fun!

Rebecca PeckCrafter

Rebecca Peck has never met a craft she didn’t like! Not only is she the Creative Director for Streuter Technologies, www.streuter.com, she’s also an altered artist, a rubber stamper, and a mad craft scientist whose work has appeared on the cover of, and in, various craft magazines. When she’s not cooking up inky concoctions in her lab, she can also be found hanging out as a Lead Fiskateer at www.fiskateers.com.

Katheryn Tidwell BieberAuthor, Designer, Keynote Speaker

Well known to crafting enthusiasts as one of the featured Hosts/Designers on “Aleenes Creative Living” television show, Katheryn Tidwell Bieber has been called a “creative force of nature” in the arts and crafts market for more than 18 years. Author, Designer, and Keynote speaker Katheryn brings passion and joy to the creative experience.

A powerful motivational speaker, Katheryn speaks from the heart on the secrets of living a life filled with love and joy as you learn to embrace your creative spirit. She has led creativity workshops for the staff of Better Homes and Gardens Meredith corporation, Where Women Create Conference, and has taught many workshops thorough out the country in national scrapbooking consumer shows, trade shows and other venues. She also appeared regularly on QVC 24 hour craft events and had the number one selling craft item on HSN for over a year.   All in all she has been seen on over 8,500 national television 5 to 10 minute segments. Including Aleenes Creative living, Home Matters, Our Place, Handmade By Design, America Sews, and Carol Duval, DIY network.

Along her creative journey Katheryn has designed a wide variety of projects for companies such as Butterick, Vogue, McCalls, Simplicity, Avery Dennison, E.Z. international, Sterling Chappele Lark publishing, Janlynn, Hot off the press, Plaid enterprises, Mokuba ribbons and many more and created unique designs for magazines including Better Homes and Gardens, McCall’s, Family Circle, Woman’s Day to name a few.  Her latest book “Felt It, Stitch it, Fabulous!" focuses on a great way to recycle wool sweaters from the back of the closet as well as create beautiful felted projects (in an afternoon for a few bucks) which is a fraction of the time and price that you would invest in buying wool yarn, knitting and felting hand knit pieces.  Katheryn will be signing copies of her latest book at the Barnes & Noble Booksigning area on Saturday, Jan 23 from 3:00-4:00pm.

Pattie Donham-WilkinsonDesigner, Book Author, Television Host, Executive Producer, and Product Consultant

Known by her friends and fans as “PattieWack,” she’s creative and wacky. She’s got a million ideas to transform the humdrum into wow, bring new life to everyday objects, or create something that is both out of this world and daringly stylish.

She loves Pee-Wee Herman, can’t get enough of book author and comedian Amy Sedaris, and has been known to turn bras into purses. And Pattie has certainly channeled a passion for whimsy into an impressive career. Her job titles as designer, book author, television host, executive producer and product consultant, just keep multiplying. “The reason I like crafting so much is that it’s not serious,” Pattie says.

Her knack for clever crafting and multitasking started at an early age. Pattie, a minister’s daughter, helped out by making clothing for the less fortunate and crafts to sell at church bazaars. And what’s now a popular trend - recycled fashion, was a necessity for the Harris family. “My mother and I were always going to the thrift store and buying clothing that we could re-create and make ours,” recalls Pattie.

The perfect example of her philosophy in action? “I picked up a mannequin at a flea market for two bucks; he was painted badly with silver spray paint,” Pattie says of her most memorable project. “I brought him home and turned him into a chalkboard first, but later I thought he was destined for more than that.” While coming up with project ideas for a crafting book, she decided to decoupage the mannequin. But she didn’t stop there. In true PattieWack fashion, she inserted a dollhouse window where the heart would go and glued an eye looking out. She added a little saying: “The rules have gone right out the window.” Finally, she attached a clothespin to the window. “It’s the Amy Sedaris and Pee-Wee Herman coming out of me,” she admits. “It says ‘inside jokes,’ so you can write jokes and throw them into the window!”

With more zany projects in the works, Pattie teases about being, well, stuck on her work: “I’ve been dying to create a glue-gun holster,” she giggles. “Instead of bullets, I’d have glue sticks across my chest.”

Tiffany WindsorCrafter, Television and Radio Host

Born into an artistic, entrepreneurial family, it is no surprise that Tiffany has found success expressing her talents in many different arenas. As the daughter of Aleene Jackson, America’s beloved “Mother of Crafting” and inventor of Aleene’s Tacky Glue, Tiffany’s first love is expressing herself creatively. Her first memories of the television world were accompanying her mother who made appearances on the popular 1960’s shows such as Art Linkletter, Tennessee Ernie Ford, Gypsy Rose Lee and the Dinah Shore Show. Tiffany’s first on-air experience was at the age of 13 when she appeared on her mother’s Los Angeles PBS show demonstrating rugmaking.

In 1993, Tiffany stepped in as producer and host of Aleene’s Creative Living and under her leadership, the show flourished and quickly rose to the top as

TNN’s top-rated daytime show. As producer, Tiffany oversaw the production and hosted over 2,000 1-hour episodes. Concurrently, Tiffany served as the editor for the show’s companion magazine Aleene’s Creative Living.

Tiffany has made regular appearances on QVC and HSN and has authored numerous hard cover and soft cover books. She currently hosts her live weekly Inspired at Home BlogTalkRadio program where she interviews today’s top creative professionals and recently launched the popular weekly Inspired at Home Pajama Party LIVE events on Facebook. www.inspiredathome.com

Join Tiffany on Friday, January 22, 2010 for the Pajama Party LIVE event in the CHA Crafts SuperShow Theater from 7 – 8 pm. You are also invited to visit Tiffany in the iLovetoCreate booth.

Suzanne McNeillArtist, Designer, Columnist, TV Personality, Publisher, Art Instructor, Author

Think of a firework exploding with design... that's Suzanne!

Suzanne is known as 'the Trendsetter" of the craft industry. Dedicated to hands-on creativity, she constantly tests, experiments and invents fresh and inspiring projects that expand one's creative imagination.

Suzanne is the woman behind Design Originals, a publishing company dedicated to all things fun and creative. She is an artist, designer, columnist, TV personality, publisher, art instructor, author and lover of everything hands-on. You will recognize her from many appearances on Carol Duvall's TV show. Suzanne has taught workshops in the United States and Australia and has published over 500 'how- to' books.

When asked where she gets her inspiration and endless supply of energy, Suzanne smiles and says, "I love designing! Opening my mind to all the beautiful things around me inspires my creativity. This is especially true when I learn something new. That's why I love taking classes, traveling, meeting new people and experiencing new things."

Whether it's painting, beading, sewing, quilting, or crafting, Suzanne does it all... wonderfully.

Visit Suzanne at blog.suzannemcneill.com.