JJB Summer Camp 2021 Meet Your Camp Counselors
Meet your camp counselors! JJB Summer Camp 2021 begins on August 2nd. Here are the lovely counselors and instructors who will be hosting classes during the event:
Camp Director: Sarah James (Jesse James Beads)
Hi everyone! My name is Sarah James and I am so super excited to be your JJB Summer Camp Director for the 2nd year in a row! We have an amazing lineup of awesome for this year's camp, it's going to be so much fun. On a typical day you can find me dreaming up new JJB products with our design team, coordinating online tutorials, and researching new gotta-have-it trends. I love camp because it allows us to bring our community together from all across the globe for a week of learning, playing, oohing and aahing, and renewed companionship with each other.
My motto is "All Heart" - meaning live, breathe, work and thrive with 100% heart and passion. It's so good to share this moment with you. Cheers to a week of creative fun at JJB Summer Camp 2021!
Wyatt White (Beadalon)
I have been in the Jewelry business since 1982, learned how to knot pearls within about 4 months from starting waaaay back then, and haven’t stopped for 39 years (YIKES)!!
I will be teaching a fancy type of wire wrapping to cover more of the bead and have a nice different end for the bead, on both or one side. These camps are so fun and having pen/pals has been amazing, the ladies I’ve pen palled with have made me some remarkable things and I cherish them both!! Can’t wait to see you all in just a few short weeks
Meredith Roddy (Beadalon)
Meredith Roddy's favorite memories are from working at summer camp, and she is so excited to return to her "happy place" as a JJB camp counselor!. When she's not sipping on Bug Juice making friendship bracelets and lanyards, she is the Product Marketing Specialist and a Design Team Member for Beadalon. Note seed bead colors will vary in kit!
Brittany Chavers (Professional Designer, Turquoise Street & Brittany's Beads)
I am a bead fanatic, and I've been making jewelry for over 25 years. My passion is in teaching others, discovering new techniques, and hoarding beads! I’m the creator of Turquoise.Street on YouTube and the founder of Brittany’s Beads on Facebook.
I’m so excited to be a camp counselor for JJB’s 2021 Summer Camp! I’ll be the counselor teaching you how to make knots, but instead of using them in the wilderness, we’ll be using them with hemp to create fun, versatile jewelry! Note the beads for Brittany’s kit will be the Summer Camp exclusive Lakeside mix, plus navy hemp from the Hemp Beadery, and TierraCast findings!
Randee Brown (Thunderhorse Descendant)
My name is Randee Brown. I am the sole proprietor of Thunderhorse Descendant est. 2018. I am based out of Minneapolis MN where I run my business out of my home with my boyfriend, one very large dog and a new cat. To sum up my beading journey I started beading around the age of six. I focused on beading and jewelry making to help relieve stress from my job as a Licensed Alcohol and Drug Counselor, it took off from there. I was drawn to JJB because of there unique style, care, and time they took to create mixes and themes that were one of a kind. I am so excited we will be taking steps together on the next part of my journey.
Onye Ndika (Professional Designer, Designs By Onye)
I am a geometric bead artist. My favorite stitch is triangle weave, and that is the stitch I use to create the majority of my original designs. I actually studied chemistry in college, that was my undergraduate degree. In addition to bead-weaving, I enjoy 2D geometric art, dance, theater, writing poetry, singing, and other crafts.
Jem Hawkes (Professional Designer, Jem's Gem Box)
Jem Hawkes is a designer and tutor specializing in wirework and gemstone jewelry. She is driven by the natural allure of genuine gemstones and the individuality of designs made possible by the huge range of beads and accessories available.
In addition to originating her own brand of unique
jewelry designs and techniques, Jem is a
jewelry tutor and teaches both via project led in-person workshops and on her YouTube channel.
Jem incepted her business, Jem’s Gem Box in 2010 initially to provide charm beads and bracelets, but very quickly wanted to create her own designs. Moving into wirework in 2014 had her headhunted to work in Live Shopping TV as a technique demonstrator from 2015 to 2019.
Jem also works as an actress, live action rôle play artist, model, voiceover artist, barista and vegan chef so is never, ever bored
Link to shop: https://www.numonday.com/shop/jem-hawkes-jems-gem-box
Link to Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/JemHawkesJewellery
Link to YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/jemhawkes
Jennifer VanBenschoten (Professional Designer)
Jennifer VanBenschoten has been obsessed with making jewelry since she was five years old. Along the way, she's worked with seed beads, paper, gemstones, metals, and now wire. She lives in the mountains of upstate New York with her family, their dog, 2 dozen (or so) laying hens and guinea fowl, and 2 Nordic bunnies. When she's not making jewelry, you can find her practicing yoga or shamanic Reiki, reading Tarot, meandering in the woods, or playing one of her ukuleles to raise money for local charities. Jen will be working with silver color wire, and tiger eye Dakota Stone for the Summer Camp project
Nealay Patel - SilverSilk and More
Nealay is the owner of SilverSilk & More. He is the author of three jewelry-making books, hosting workshops at many trade shows, making television appearances on Beads, Baubles & Jewels and also Jewel School on JTV. Nealay also is a designer of Jesse James Beads, and works full-time as an Art Director in his hometown of Tulsa, OK
Summer Camp 2021! Get in on the fun. Learn more and Reserve Your Seat Today