Ellen brings decades of design experience to her intricate beadwork, inspired by Native American history, wildlife, wolves, wild mustangs, and her beloved pollinator gardens. After forty years in architectural and interior design — including twenty years practicing in Minneapolis — she moved to Ely in 1995. She later coordinated events for the Ely Chamber of Commerce including the Blueberry Art Festival and Harvest Moon Festival. Now retired from design and festivals, Ellen has devoted herself fully to bead art and exploring new methods of creative expression. She describes herself as a collector of beauty, organizing the world through color, pattern, and balance — and her beadwork reflects exactly that.