Toni Gerdes Needlearts

I love all forms of needle art, including needlepoint, embroidery, cross stitch, knitting, crocheting, weaving, and just playing with threads.  The biggest influence in my designs is the element of color.  I have always been attracted to the richness of the colors we have in our world and this is reflected in my work. 

Toni Gerdes  holds Teachers’ certification from the National Academy of Needlearts specializing in canvas embroidery.  She currently serves on the Board of ANG as Vice President of Education. She served on the NAN board as the Director of Education for 9 years after serving 5 years as Assistant Director of Teachers’ Certification. She has also served on the Board of Directors for several ANG chapters as Program Chair & President.  She is a past President of NETA.  She has received numerous awards for her designs as well as, the prestigious NAN Lifetime Achievement Award.  Toni has taught for NAN, EGA, and ANG, as well as guilds & shops.  She has been published in Needlepointers, Needlepoint Now, Piecework Magazine, and in Needle Arts as the Artist Across America.  She enjoys all types of stitching and especially sharing her knowledge with others.  She currently resides in Colorado.  See pictures of her work at www.tonigerdes.com .

Education:

• National Academy of Needlearts –Teachers’ Certification, Level II in Canvas Embroidery
• Callaway Gardens School of Needlework
• American Needlepoint Guild National Seminar, Kansas City, MO
• The Greater Kansas City Needlepoint Guild - Classes from various national teachers
• University of Missouri, Kansas City, Studied Accounting
• Rockhurst College, Kansas City, Missouri, Studied Accounting
• Research Hospital School of Nursing, Kansas City, Missouri

Experience:             Taught canvaswork classes at the following locations:

• ANG 2010-2012 & 2014-2017 National Seminars
• EGA 2012 & 2014 National Seminar
• National Academy of Needlearts (NAN) - 2009 - 2017
• EGA – Heartland Region Seminar
• EGA – South Central Region Seminar
• EGA - Greater Pacific Region Seminar
• EGA - Great Lakes Region Seminar
• Two the Point Needlearts shop, Overland Park, KS – individual classes,

        “Tiny Treasure” Monthly Program and the

        Stitch of the Month” Monthly Program

• Stitching Thyme Studio, Mission Hills, KS
• The Greater Kansas City Needlepoint Guild chapter, Kansas City, MO
• Little London Stitchers – ANG chapter, Colorado Springs, CO
• Serendipity, Buena Vista, CO
• Sangre de Cristo Needlepointers, Santa Fe, NM ANG chapter
• Mile High ANG Chapter, Denver, CO
• Colorado EGA chapter, Denver, CO
• Many other ANG & EGA chapters

Needlework Affiliations:

• National Academy of Needlearts, NAN
• American Needlepoint Guild, ANG
  • Chapters:
  • The Greater Kansas City Needlepoint Guild, Kansas City, MO
  • Mile High Guild, Denver, CO,
  • Little London Stitchers, Colorado Springs, CO
  • Cyberpointers
• Embroiderers’ Guild of America, EGA:   Colorado EGA chapter, Denver, CO
• National Embroidery Teachers’ Association, NETA

Needlework Accomplishments & Recognitions:

• Awards:
• National Academy of Needlearts – Louise Downing Scholarship, 2009
• National Academy of Needlearts – Mary Ann Stobenau Scholarship, 2008
• National Academy of Needlearts -   Jean Thomas Howard Scholarship, 2007
• Piecework Magazine, The Needleworker of the Year Award, Finalist, Needlepoint, 2003

Publications:

• Needlepoint Now,July/August, 2009, “Puzzle Pieces” with Carole Lake and Lois Caron
• Needlepointers May 2011, "Pink Orchid" & "Midnight Peacock Purse"
• NeedleArts, June 2012, Designer Across America feature article

Ribbons:

• National Academy of Needlearts Exemplary
  • Betsy Robb Award, 2009, Golden Ginkgo Kimono, Professional, Original
  • 2^ndPlace, 2009, Golden Ginkgo Kimono, Professional, Original
  • 3^rdPlace, 2009, Pretty Petal Hat, Professional, Original
  • 3^rdPlace, 2008, Christmas Tree, Professional, Non-Original
  • Honorable Mention, 2008, Mystique, Professional, Non-Original
  • Linda Calsing Award, 2007, Venetian Mask, Professional, Original
  • 1^stPlace, 2007, Venetian Mask, Professional, Original
  • 1^stPlace, 2007, Hot Stuff, Professional, Non-Original
  • 2^ndPlace, 2007, Rodriguez the Rooster, Professional, Non-Original
  • 3^rdPlace, 2006, Pieces of Africa – Serengeti Sky, Professional, Non-Original
  • Honorable Mention, 2006, Anasazi Song, Professional, Non-Original
  • 1^stPlace, 2005, Independence Day, Professional, Non-Original
  • 2^ndPlace, 2004, Fan-tasia, Professional, Non-Original
  • 2^ndPlace, 2004, In a Purple Passion, Professional, Non-Original
  • 2^ndPlace, 2003, Dominos & Squares, Professional, Non-Original
  • 3^rdPlace, 2003, An Austrian Sampler Adaptation, Professional, Non-Original
  • Honorable Mention, 2003, Bottles, Professional, Non-Original
  • Honorable Mention, 2002, Community Garden Birdhouses, Professional, Non-Original
• American Needlepoint Guild
  • 2^ndPlace, 2006, Anasazi Song, Professional, Class Piece
  • 1^stPlace, 2005, Independence Day, Professional, Independent Project
  • 3^rdPlace – 2004, Fan-tasia, Professional Independent Project
  • Judge’s Choice, 2003, Geometric Butterfly, Professional, Original
  • 3^rd Place – 2003, An Austrian Sampler Adaptation, Professional Independent Project
• Embroiderers’ Guild of America

                  Callaway Gardens - 1st Place, 2005

                  Geometric Butterfly

                  Professional, Original