Nora Beth
Master Carver/Owner/Mentor
Born and raised in small towns across America, I’ve always felt the pull of the open road and the need to explore. Having traveled extensively throughout my life seeking new experiences and artistic opportunities, I’ve been a costumer for stage, henna artist, jeweler and fiber artist. When I approached carving it was with an open curiosity and I quickly discovered a fiery passion for the art form that I now teach to others.
I feel my creations combine my appreciation for the natural world and deep love of fantasy with a focus on intricate details and functionality for a unique whimsical aesthetic. I love spotting my creations I have made in the wilds of society wherever I go.
Sarah Van Ness
Apprentice/Artist
A Texas born/New York based artist. Her passions include traveling around the United States, hiking in old growth forests, playing the mandolin, knitting and weaving. She has worked various Renaissance Faires for over 35 years. As a former costumer, she is very much enjoying an urgent call to bone carving and adding that technical skill to her existing talents.
Nora Beth’s Note: Sarah is such a talented artist in her own right already, she brings valuable insight and perspective to the carving team. I am enjoying watching her grow by leaps and bounds chasing her love of the medium as well as her sense of humor and support for others in the workshop.
Rachel Terrill
Apprentice/Artist
Rachel was raised as a slightly feral homeschool child in the Blue Ridge Mountains of Virginia. Growing up on a small farm in a hollar, she spent most of her time horse back riding, reading fantasy novels, crafting anything she could get her hands on, and deeply connecting with the mountains she grew up in. Though she primarily still resides in those same mountains, her travels take her far and wide, working at Renaissance Festivals across the country as well as traveling purely for adventure and exploring the wild outdoors. She spends as much free time as she can hiking, kyaking, photographing flora and fauna, geeking out over wildlife, and making whatever she can with her own two hands. Her creations are inspired from her travels and love of the natural world, mythology from many stories and pantheons, and a deep admiration for of the artists of old. Stepping into the carving world combines her passion of natural handmade items, historical craftsmanship, and the magical world of mother nature.
Nora Beth’s note: Rachel has shown immense dedication and creativity in the short amount of time she’s delved into the world of carving. With her drive and attention to detail she’s quickly developing her own style that is already setting her apart as an artist. She also brings a lighthearted approach in the workshop that reminds us all that creating art together is such a blessing and instills magic in what we do as a team.
Chel Brown
wanderlust, adventure, seeking, wayward, ornery, determined, never settling.
Chel Brown was raised in Wyoming, Delaware, homeschooled throughout- leaving room for her family to travel constantly through her early years & into highschool. This constant travel left a place in her soul for movement, never settling.
Ever since childhood, she created stories in her head about everything, you could leave a salt & pepper shaker on the table with her in timeout & she’d never be bored with them. This wandering soul continued in her rambling until she was ink & paper driven, drawing her soul out- emotions raw. These comforted her in her families travels, she had stories & drawings for friends, even into college all the way in Chicago. Never settling, moving residency every year till graduation, diving into video, graphic design, photography, poetry, anything that could voice an opinion & stance. She found anything & everything to inspire creation, the city cement, dancing, reverence, forests, water, serendipity, love, heartbreak, balance, travel. Tahmilt, the Desert. Fleeing to North Africa, the desert, Chel found the moving sand, the beating drums, the oasis shrubs, the crumbling mountains a language that was speaking stories.
Chel Brown, the traveler, the rouge, the one who kept finding ways to put stories into art to show tales to others. Till now, discovering that even in a the States you can be a nomad & caravan in tribes, from place to place creating art out of bones. Wishing for them to tell the tales of their gone life & hers life yet to come.
Nora Beth’s note: Chel came into carving with a curious and casual nature but quickly proving themselves as obsessed with this art medium. With talents galore they have delved into creating pieces that challenge and reshape the raw materials beyond expectation or recognition. Super stoked to have her as an integral part of the team both behind the carving station as well as the sales counter.
Apprentice/Artist