Meet the Team
Monika Rutkowski-Lamb
Chief, Cook and Bottle Washer (Boss-Woman)
Monika has been making jewelry for over 12 years. Retired from church music she found herself in need of a creative outlet. She started beading as a hobby which evolved into a home based jewelry business that quickly morphed into a retail store. Monika tries new jewelry making techniques all the time, but her passion lies in the chainmaille weaves, which she is self taught. She prides herself in paying close attention to details and craftsmanship.
Jim Lamb
Sales associate and all around handy husband
Jim is an engineer and is looking forward to full time retirement. He is married to Monika and enjoys working in the store. Six years ago he would have never envisioned himself helping customers pick beads and attach jumprings. He is indispensable when it comes to fixing things, from computers to electrical. He also cuts all our enameled copper jumprings for chainmaille in house.
Judi Robertson
Store manager and wire wrap teacher, lapidary expert, jewelry maker
Judi is originally from Wisconsin and a Jaqueline-of-all-trades. She knows her way around in the world. She worked for Lonnie’s for many years and discovered her passion for all things lapidary and semi-precious. She’s worked with beads and stones for over 20 years and has basic knowledge of silversmithing. She teaches the minimal wire wrap around an uneven cabochon that highlights the beauty of the stone.
Candice Keesee
Sales associate and chainmaille guru, jewelry maker
Candice is a native 'Zonie' and works primarily for JC Penny. She likes her job here a little better because she can play with jumprings and create funky chanimaille jewelry and other neat stuff. She enjoys cos-play and is often seen at comic events in the valley.
Renee Beers
Sales associate, jewelry maker and belly dancer
Renee was born in Illinois and has traveled the world until she and her family settled in Mesa. She’s been making jewelry for 35 years and, being an active belly dancer, enhances her costumes with her creations. Her other passion are tropical parrots and it is evident in the color schemes of her jewelry
Albina Manning
Wire work teacher and Etsy Store owner
Albina is originally from Russia but has been in this country for more than 2 decades. She teaches a variety of wire working techniques and is a published artist. She has been teaching at JOGS during the Tucson gem show for 10 years and shares her knowledge and talent with us at GBM Mesa.
Kathy Camire
Beading teacher and polymer clay enthusiast
Kathy is an east-coast native originally from Maine and she now lives in Gilbert. She taught high school English for 34 years. She loves beading, polymer clay and other crafts and has been teaching at GBM for 5 years,specializing in bead weaving. She is a master at Shibory bead embroidery and loves freeform peyote stitch.