Sandra D. Halpenny, Born in Chicago, Illinois, Sandra went to school for dress design and later attended art classes at collage and the Chicago Art Institute.  She has done many different kinds of arts and crafts over the years, but following her move to Canada 20 years ago, she discovered bead weaving art and has devoted herself to designing bead weaving patterns that are easy for anyone to do.  In addition to designing, she teaches classes at local bead stores and is a member of her local bead society.  Her focus is in designing, drawing beautiful illustrations and then writing patterns with step-by-step instructions for others to make.  She has had her designs published in Bead & Button magazine, Bead Patterns magazine, produced 3 CD’s of necklace patterns in 2003 and 2004, self-published her first book of necklace designs in 2006 and has several eBooks available.  She continues to sell over 200 bead weaving patterns on her web site. www.SandraDHalpenny.com Her advice for all beaders is simple, "Don't be afraid to try new and different things. Beads are reusable and thread is cheap. The fun comes in the challenge and the doing."