Dancing Spirit Center for the Arts

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 Born and raised in Bloomington, Minnesota, Melody was surrounded by art from an early age, thanks to her father, a commercial artist. After studying illustration at the University of Alaska, she explored many forms of creativity, from drawing to leatherwork and wood carving.

It wasn’t until moving to Colorado in 1999 that Melody found her true calling in jewelry making. Specializing in silversmithing, handmade chains, and wire wrapping, she weaves her love for crystals, stones, and metals into every unique creation. With each piece, Melody invites you to experience the powerful energy of the materials and the beauty of the present moment.

 Shawna grew up near Denver, lived in Arizona and Utah, and has now retired to the serene beauty of Hesperus, CO. With a rich background in various artistic mediums, Shawna’s journey into pottery began in 2004 when she received her first pottery wheel. Today, she has a small studio where she crafts both functional pieces and creative works, and shares her passion by teaching at Dancing Spirit.

Shawna loves creating items that are practical, but she embraces the unexpected surprises of pottery, saying, "Not everything works as planned, and that’s what makes pottery fun." One of her greatest joys is experimenting with different designs to make each piece uniquely her own.

A Minnesota native, Connie moved to this beautiful area after a 20-year career as a firefighter and EMT. Her love of beading began 25 years ago while recovering from an on-duty injury.

Connie enjoys creating one-of-a-kind jewelry using colorful seed beads and real gemstones. She finds joy in experimenting with both symmetrical and asymmetrical patterns, allowing each piece to take on its own unique style. Beading has become a relaxing and fulfilling hobby for Connie, giving her the freedom to explore even the deepest corners of her imagination.

 Juanita grew up in San Francisco in the 1960s, where her love for beading and embroidery began. As a teenager, she embraced the trend of embellishing everything and has continued to evolve her craft ever since.

She creates one-of-a-kind jewelry, bead-embroidered plaques, wall hangings, and crystal art pieces, using healing stones, handcrafted cabochons, and charms. Each piece reflects her unbridled creativity and is designed to bring healing, love, and empowerment to its owner.

Whitney is the creator behind Toad Song jewelry, where she blends beads, clay, and asymmetry to embrace the perfectly imperfect. Her love for making things started early—bead looms, clay trinkets, and hours lost in creativity. Now, as a mom, she hopes to inspire her kids by showing them that creativity isn’t just a hobby—it’s a way to think, explore, and build something meaningful.

Originally from a Minnesota farm, Whitney named her business after the toads singing on warm summer nights, a nostalgic reminder of her roots. She now lives outside Ignacio with her husband and two wild and wonderful boys, working in digital marketing for an environmental nonprofit. When she’s not creating, she loves reading, camping, traveling, and training for running events—mostly as an excuse for girls’ trips.