Weekly Instructor
Founding instructor Raychel Wengenroth is an artisan member of The Society of American Silversmiths (www.silversmithing.com) and is a nationally recognized artist who has completed commissions for Oprah, LJ duPont and the Bob Hope “Humana Award”, among others. She has taught at: The Woodstock Guild, Mill Street Loft, Silvermine School of Art, Brookfield Craft Center, Wesleyan Potters, Farmington Valley Arts Center, The Connecticut School of Jewelry Arts and Southern Connecticut State University in Connecticut; Fletcher Farm in Vermont; Pennsylvania Society of Goldsmiths in Pennsylvania, Peters Valley and the Art School at Old Church in New Jersey.
She has also run a successful wholesale jewelry and giftware business selling to over 100 accounts in the US and abroad. She began teaching in order to train potential employees and found a second career. She maintains her studio work with limited edition and one-of-a-kind pieces.
Website: www.raychelwengenroth.com
Workshop Instructors
My name is Armando Blanco, and I have been making jewelry for over 15 years. I grew up in America’s southwest, raised in El Paso, TX. I studied creative writing while doing stand-up comedy. One day I realized I did not want to do either any longer, and I randomly took up making jewelry.
After a year in the craft, I decided to focus all my energy towards running my own business. Since then, my art has provided a living for me. It has taken me to places like Japan, and it has even brought me to this northeastern part of the country! I began with making resin pendants. Eventually I studied wire wrapping, which led to my current journey in the world of silversmithing. Along the way, I developed a passion for teaching and I encourage anyone who wants to learn how to do what I do. My belief is if I can do it, anyone can!
Lissa Queeney studied at the Fashion Institute of Technology in New York City. Upon graduation she earned the Jewelry Design Award from Van Cleef & Arpels. After a summer in Europe she returned to work as a designer at Van Cleef & Arpels Atelier on Fifth Avenue followed by the position of bench jeweler creating Van Cleef & Arpels work at Georges Peyrot, Inc..
She was a co-owner of the retail/wholesale jewelry company Spirit of Two who sold their work to galleries and stores across the United States. They maintained a gallery and studio in the Rondout section of Kingston after moving the business up from the meatpacking district in Manhattan.
Lissa has worked for a handful of noted designers creating their one-of-a-kind, and models for production. She currently maintains a studio making jewelry and housewares. Gold, silver precious and semi-precious gems are incorporated into her work which includes bridal, commissions and one-of-a-kind pieces.
Website: www.queeneydesign.squarespace.com
Stephanie Maddelena has a BA in fine arts and has been lampworking since 1994 after a workshop with Kate Fowle Meleney launched her addiction to molten glass.
Louise Cooper has been beading for over 15 years and is now addicted. Professionally, she is a psychotherapist, but has always done art. Her other passions are reading and gardening.