We are so excited…All of the details for the BellaCon 2023 Retreat are falling into place.

We wanted to share some details ahead of registration so that you have all the info and can register with ease.

And now for those that want ALL the nitty gritty details (keep in mind, slight adjustments may occur).

The BellaCon 2023 Retreat is a 2-1/2 day Virtual Crafting Event which will be held February 23 – 25, 2023, with all of the instructors in one loacation. While we wanted to make it an in-person event, as we have in the past, the decision to make it a Virtual Event came with the realization that many are still not quite ready to travel.

What makes this BellaCon Retreat unique is that each registered attedee will have access to all the workshops not just a selection of them. BellaCon 2023 will features 12+ Classes, Quick Projects, Tips & Tricks, Crafty Challenges, and a Q&A time with the instructors. There are many amazing people and companies that are supporting this event with their time, talents and amazing products…we are beyond grateful!

Our confirmed instructors are:

Eileen Hull grew up in a big family where there was always an art project or two in the works.  Learning to think creatively has been a huge benefit throughout her life…From thirteen military moves and raising four children to developing product lines for craft manufacturers.  

Eileen designs dies for Sizzix and stamps for Maker Forte. She tours the country in her vintage trailer Scotty, teaching classes using her branded products at stores, retreats and events. Home base is in northern Virginia. 

Eileen does bi- weekly Facebook Live shows every Tuesday at 6:00 pm Eastern and Thursday at 4:00 Eastern where she shares her creativity.

Karen started her crafty journey when she was a little girl. Always making something for her mom. Soon she was crocheting, painting ceramics, making jewelry, cake decorating, and throwing pottery. She did some scrapbooking for a very short period before making some simple Christmas cards.

Karen found Gina K. Designs on Youtube and was hooked on the idea of making cards for her family. After creating for a year and a half she entered a contest for a guest designer spot for Gina K. Designs.  Shortly after she was asked to join the Gina K. Design Team where she is still creating cards 8 years later. She enjoys stenciling, creating layers on cards, making her own backgrounds and watercoloring.  Karen loves to share her passion with like minded friends.

She taught for Gina K Designs at at the Christmas in the Village event, two of the Stamp Junkies events and at the Scrapmaina store. She loves to learn and sharing new crafty things. She is always up for trying new techniques. 

Amanda Stevens is the owner of Pear Blossom Press and is currently on several design teams. She been a crafter and cardmaker for as long as I remember. As a kid, she draw scenes on folded pieces of notepaper and give them away.

Amanda went to her first Stampin’ Up party when she was 16 and was hooked! (Rubber stamps really helped her improve her cardmaking game.) For over 25 years, she has been learning and teaching others how to make cards too. Amdana enjoys making her own backgrounds and creating cards with lots of layers. Her favorite cards are interactive though!

In 2019, Amanda and her husband their first products to help make creating light-up cards quick and easy. They continue to develop unique products especially for papercrafters through Pear Blossom Press.

Julie McGuffee is originally from Englad and has been professionally involved in the Arts & Crafts Industry since 1988.  She hosted Scrapbook Memories TV show for 15 years and has appeared as a guest and guest host on numerous other craft shows over the past 20+ years, including popular shopping channels.  

As an all-round crafter/designer, Julie has authored over 50 “how to” craft books on a wide variety of crafts ranging from Decorative Painting to silk ribbon embroidery. She now works with leading manufacturers on product development, marketing and project design.

Jean Kievlan has been designing in the Creative Industries since 1998.  She has written over 200 “How-To” Craft books and has had numerous published projects in many areas including painting wood, home decor and fabric items, children’s and baby accessories, scrapbooking, jewelry and quilting.  

She has developed products for manufacturers, including the successful Babyville Boutique line of Diaper Sewing Products for Prym Manufacturing, a line of paper punches for McGill Inc. and wood parts for Lara’s Crafts/Woodworks. As Design Coordinator for Kitchen Brand Products, Jean designs the fabric Tortilla Warmers that are sold in HEB grocery stores in Texas and other regions.  

Jean enjoys gardening, quilting, fashion sewing, acrylic and watercolor painting and making a variety of craft projects in her spare time.

Rita Barakat is a published and licensed artist that creates whimsical, fun, and inspirational art. Her preference is mixed media, not wanting to be tied to one medium or style. From wall murals to itty bitty minis, Rita has worked on numerous art projects for hospitals, corporations, families, and manufacturers. You may recognize her name as a former designer for notable companies such as Faber-Castell Design Memory Craft, DCWV, The Crafters Workshop, and more. 

She continues her work as a freelance artist with various manufacturers in the industry such as Plaid, Scrapbook Adhesives, Activa, and more. Her classes are always fast and fun; you can expect to get your hands messy, get lots of encouragement, and walk away having learned a lot of new techniques!

Cindy Shepard is an Experimental Artist and a champion of creative arts of all genres. As a three term city council member in Hurst, Texas she works to promote the arts in her community. Cindy has served with a local arts nonprofit and was the owner of an art gallery featuring local artisans. She is the author of ‘Bottle Art’ and ‘Stash and Smash:Art Journal Ideas’. A Certified Zentangle Teacher she co-authored ‘The Beauty of Zentangle’ and ‘Zentangle12’, her Zentangle art has been featured in numerous publications.

Cindy began her creative journey as a jewelry maker and designer and earned her Graduate Gemology degree from the Gemological Institute of America.  She loves sharing her creative journey with others and has taught numerous art workshops in all types of media.

Pam Fischer Hughes is a retired Labor and Delivery RN, educator, manager, and nursing consultant. Born in Phoenix, Arizona and raised in the Dallas/Fort Worth area of Texas, she received her degrees in nursing, English, and education at Tarrant County College and The University of Texas at Arlington.

Pam is a wife, the mother of twin daughters, and the grandmother of two beautiful young women. She and her husband retired and just recently moved back o TX to be near family.

Her interests now include travel, sewing, crafting, photography, flower arranging, and, at the age of 74, she has completed her first book on crafting. Pam started a Facebook Group a few years ago to share her love of Rope Baskets, currently there are nearly 55,000 in the group. She says that life is a blessing and should be lived to the fullest, and gives credit to God for all that has been good in her life

The BellaCon 2023 Retreat begins on Thursday, February 23, at 7:00 pm CST. Instructors, sponsors and special guests will be introduced, questions will be addressed, and a few of the fabulous prizes donated by some of our generous sponsors will be given away.

Workshops begin at 9:00 am CST on Friday and go through 4:00 pm CST on Saturday.

The event will conclude Saturday evening at 7:00 pm CST with closing remarks, recognitions, and additional prize giveaways.

Please be aware that in the event an instructor becomes unavailable through no fault of their own, as we all know Life Happens…a substitute instructor will teach the workshop or a substitute workshop will be added. This has never happened at one of our events but needs to be put out there as I said Life Happens and we all do the best we can!

Frequently Asked Questions

• How do I get a refund? Sorry, there are no refunds. If your unable to be at the event Virtually during the event, everything will be available to rewatch when you are able.
• Will I be able to get a class supply list or buy a kit? A class uplly list will be available in the Facebook Group at least one week prior to the event. Limited kits will be available from the instructors, these will also be listed in the Facebook Group.
• Can I make partial payments? No, payment must be paid in full at time of registration.
• I don’t have a PayPal account.  Will I still be able to register and pay for the event?  Yes.  You do not have to have a PayPal account.  You can still pay through PayPal using a credit card without establishing an account.

Registration for the BellaCon 2023 Virtual Retreat will go LIVE at 3:00 pm CST Thurssday, January 5, 2023. There are limited tickets (120) available that include the SWAG…so be sure to sign up early:0)

If your looking for more Crafty Projects the Winter 2022 issue of Bella Crafts is available to download FREE…to grab your copy sign up here! Then each issue will be sent right to your inbox when they are release