Meet our Artists and Healers 

Kirsten is the artist and owner behind Gather on Hopmeadow and Modern Twist Macramé. She holds a BFA in Design from RIT and studied architecture at RPI. After many years creating macramé, she opened Modern Twist Makers in Tariffville, CT in early 2023. Later that year, she expanded into a larger space now known as Gather on Hopmeadow. There, she teaches macramé and a variety of children’s art classes while showcasing work by local artists. Outside the studio, she enjoys time with her husband, two kids, and their dog—camping, hiking, and practicing yoga.

Emily is a wife, mother, and fluid artist specializing in acrylic paint pouring. She creates one-of-a-kind pieces—from paintings and coasters to wine glasses and more—and transforms the dried paint that falls from her canvases into vibrant, eco-minded jewelry. By recycling these “paint skins,” she reduces waste while crafting truly unique accessories. She also helps host birthday parties, bringing creative, hands-on art experiences to celebrations. Custom commissions are available upon request. Emily is the owner of Emi-Sue Creations. To see a full of her offerings, visit https://emisuecreations.com/

Rio is a multi-award winning intuitive healer, who is committed to helping others. As a certified Usui Reiki Master and clinical hypnotherapist, it is Rio’s goal to continue to promote wellness and transformation, through a variety of healing modalities. Rio infuses every session with a deep sense of love and care, which is essential to the transformation and healing clients are seeking. Rio is also a practicing Licensed Clinical Social Worker, specializing in Cognitive Behavioral Therapy and mindfulness techniques, to assist those struggling with anxiety and depression. Rio is the owner of Inner Harmony, LLC. To see more about what she does, visit https://innerharmonyllc.net/

Robin is a professional Illustrator and graphic designer for the past 25 years. She also teaches Graphic Design at CT State Asnuntuck in Enfield. Since 2018, Robin has tapped into her inner child with sharpening her art skills and creating cartoon characters for clients and books. She was then asked to teach cartoon classes at Gather On Hopmeadow. This all has led Robin down the path of drawing up her first comic about her imaginative childhood adventures named GeekGalGO! Custom commissions of retro-inspired art and fabric painting pieces are also Robin’s specialty. You can learn more by going to GeekGalGO social media and website www.geekgalgo.com/

Dina is a self-taught fiber artist and the creator of Fox Hollow Friends, a whimsical world of handcrafted needle-felted animals and woodland characters. Working with natural wool, Dina carefully sculpts each piece by hand using traditional needle-felting techniques. Her mice, foxes, sheep, and other forest creatures feel as if they stepped out of a storybook, bringing warmth, humor, and imagination into everyday life. Dina lives and works in Simsbury, CT, where she also teaches needle-felting workshops and enjoys sharing the magic of this traditional fiber art with others. Her work celebrates nature, craftsmanship, and the small joyful stories hidden in the natural world. You can learn more by going to FoxHollowFriends social media and website www.FoxHollowFriends.com

Love, Sophia Studio is an artisan and lifestyle studio founded by young maker Lola Sophia, with the support of her mother and sister, Emilia Sophia. Together, they craft hand-poured candles, wax melts, clay jewelry, accessories, and thoughtfully designed housewares that elevate everyday living with warmth and intention. Each candle and wax melt is poured in small batches using eco-luxury wax blends and carefully selected fragrance oils for a clean, luxurious experience. The process blends premium comfort with ethical sourcing and minimal environmental impact—ensuring every piece is as gentle as it is beautiful. Many of our candles are housed in handcrafted vessels made in-studio, designed to be refilled and reused. We offer easy pop-in refills for most styles, allowing customers to extend the life of their favorite jars while reducing waste and embracing sustainable luxury. Rooted in quality, sustainability, and craftsmanship, Love Sophia Studio creates products that bring warmth, beauty, and intentional design into the home.

Heather is the fiber artist behind Creative Bdr Boutique. In her studio, she creates delightful fiber paintings using needle felting and bead embroidery, inspired by nature, animals, and the New England landscape. She also enjoys sharing her craft by teaching fiber art classes and creative workshops. When she’s not in the studio, you’ll often find her outdoors hiking or with a fishing rod in hand, her dog never far away.

Sarah is the artist and founder behind Block21Prints, a Connecticut-based stationery and gift brand. Her whimsical illustrations celebrate kindness, creativity, and everyday joy through stickers, greeting cards, art prints, and paper goods designed to make people smile. Inspired by nature, animals, and the magic of handwritten connection, Sarah’s work encourages small moments of happiness and thoughtful human connection.

Sue is a CT native and self-taught bead artisan. Each original design, whether jewelry, décor or bead art is created one bead at a time using a variety of textures and colors to evoke different moods. Each piece is an original design. Custom orders are welcomed as working with clients to create a personal piece is a very special experience.

Rachel is a metalwork artist and mixed media painter whose work is driven by the connection between a piece and its wearer or viewer. Her statement jewelry carries an old-world aesthetic with a modern edge — shaped by a British upbringing steeped in ancient architecture and artifacts, her designs draw from symbolic traditions that span cultures and generations. Like the talismans of civilizations across time, her pieces are crafted to resonate with meaning beyond beauty alone. That same philosophy of engagement extends to her paintings. By weaving reflective metal leaf and metallic elements into her landscapes, Rachel creates work that shifts and transforms with the viewer's position and surroundings. The viewer's own reflection becomes part of the piece, making each encounter uniquely personal. Whether in jewelry or paint, her intention is the same: to create art that invites connection, interpretation, and a deeper engagement with what came before.