Jewelry Workshop: Beaded Monarch Butterfly Pendant with Lara Roketenetz

Lara Roketenetz has lived in Northeast Ohio for almost 25 years, originally moving to Cleveland to finish her undergraduate degree in Biology at Case Western Reserve University. She stayed because of the great people and amazing outdoor recreational assets like Lake Erie, Cleveland Metroparks, and Cuyahoga Valley National Park. She has a Master’s in Biology from John Carroll University and a Ph.D. in Integrated Bioscience from The University of Akron.

She recently received a graduate certificate in Nonprofit Management from Cleveland State University. She is on the boards of several local and regional non-profits, including The Organization of Biological Field Stations (OBFS).

She was the recipient of the Cleveland Museum of Natural History Conservation Educator of the Year in 2017, the Diversity Award from the University of Akron in 2020, and the Educator of the Year from Summit Soil and Water Conservation District in 2022.

She is a National Geographic Certified Educator and a Certified Interpretive Guide through the National Association of Interpretation.

Lara is currently the Director for the University of Akron Field Station (UAFS). The field station encompasses three sites (~500 acres total): The Martin Center for Field Studies and Environmental Education at Bath Nature Preserve, Steiner Woods, and Panzner Wetland Wildlife Preserve. Her true passion is the community engagement program she’s spearheaded to increase UA’s involvement with local area K-12 schools and the general public. She is a co-author on an identification book on the Birds of Bath Nature Preserve. She served as the Vice President of OBFS from 2021-2022 and is currently serving as President through the end of 2023.

Lara lives with her partner Josh, three dogs (Finn, Pippa, and Josey), two cats (Charley and Kayeil), five hens (Stormy, Luna, Carmella, Pollen, and Nika), two turtles (Ollie and Sip), and a noisy cockatiel (Gertie). She is a nature nut and loves gardening, hiking, crafting, and all things nature. Her older brother, sister-in-law, and favorite nephew live on Madeline Island in the summer and she loves visiting northern Wisconsin and rock hunting in Lake Superior.

She began bead weaving again in 2020 at the start of the pandemic after a several decade hiatus (she began beading in high school). She is not an Indigenous artist but finds inspiration in traditional Ukrainian beadwork, which is her ancestry. Through lots of trials and errors, Lara found her preferred beads, equipment, and techniques, and designs her own patterns based on her love of nature.

– Enthusiasm and patience (remember you will be learning a billion new and fun skills for the first time—enjoy the moment and BREATH)

– 100% cotton apron (I will also have some to borrow)

– Close-toed studio shoes to wear during workshop. Studio space is very slippery with wet shoes so we recommend leaving those at the door.

– Reading glasses or magnifiers

– Headband, clip or holder to keep your hair back when soldering

– Your own hand tools, drilling station, soldering station, etc if you wish (a lot of people prefer to use their own; I know I do!)

– Notebook and pen/pencil to jot down important ideas, thoughts, etc.

There will be a tea kettle and complimentary assorted RISHI teas available throughout the day as well as sparkling botanicals available for purchase.

Click the link below for some ideas on where to stay during your visit to Bayfield.

Lodging Ideas

CLOSEST AIRPORTS: Duluth, MN (2 hour drive); Minneapolis, MN (4.5 hour drive)