Barbara Ellis is originally from Chicago, Illinois and graduated from Ringling School of Art and Design In Sarasota Florida. She has received many awards for her work as a licensed Interior Designer and as a creator of fine jewelry.

     Barbara also creates and designs her own beaded jewelry pieces and patterns. Currently she has her Beaded Spats on display for the grand opening on “The Museum Of Beadwork” in their “Wings and Stings Competion”. She has been published in "Beadwork Magazine" several times with her necklace and bracelets designs. She participates in the Toho Challenge events, where several of her pieces have been on display.

      She recently was selected as one of the Bead Dreams Finalist in 2017 and 2018. She shares her craft by teaching at Center for the Arts Bonita Springs Florida,Past Bead and Button venues and various Embroidery Guild of America events and organizations. Barbara exhibits with the Naples Artcrafters at monthly tent shows and events.

Barbara is an Interior Designer, Artist and teacher focusing on beadwork as her medium. She specializes in bead embroidery, peyote stitch and off-loom weaving techniques. Her work has been showcased in Beadwork Magazines, Artcrafters Shows, Epic 31 Boutique, ACSWF Coop Art Gallery and Center For The Arts of Bonita Springs, Florida, Bead Dreams 2017 and Toho Challenge 2016 touring Japan and Germany.

       The choice to use beads as my medium was primarily influenced by my love of color and combinations of color. The process of working with beads and thread is meditative and calming, creating each piece one bead at a time. My relationship with beads will always be one of learning, experiencing and sharing. The decision to teach grew from desire to share my love of beads and all the wonderful things that can be created with them. My personal goal is to contribute by teaching and sharing to keep this art form alive.