JoAnn introduce herself:

My background is in Fashion Design, I have a degree in it and taught for many years in Southern California. I had a studio in my home where I taught and produced clothes for executive women and fashion shows.

Then at the age of 44, I changed my life, changed husbands and countries and moved to Liverpool, England for 8 years where I started my bead teaching.

Eight women came to my house every week for lessons and we all learned a lot about beads and books and new techniques. Because the lack of beads in the area, I imported many beads and books from friends and shops in the US during those years.

Now that I have moved back to the US and living in Oregon, my time is split between teaching beading

and teaching sewing

and machine embroidery

and the software for digitizing designs. My sewing machine is the top of the line Janome 10000 which is a dream to operate and learn. I have 12 students who come to classes to gain experience making wonderful designs and gorgeous projects with embroidery. Teaching Digitizer classes has been fun for me and fun for my students as well, as we gain more confidence with the software

Currently I am teaching beading and still teaching Machine Embroidery and basic sewing and also helping make costumes for a local stage production play.

I do enjoy gardening in the Spring, planting vegetable gardens before it gets too hot in the Summer, and the Fall when the temperatures cool down and the trimming and shredding of branches. I have my own chipper/shredder which grinds up branches so we can compost those trees back into rich soil for the spring. It is nice to have chores outside for physical exercise and fresh air. We have many bird feeders hanging in the trees in our yard all during the year and my husband enjoys taking photos of them.

If you want to contact JoAnn, use this address : joann_ely@hotmail.com