Maria Rypan is a well-known bead artist and recognized expert on "gerdany", Ukrainian-style of beadwork. Her work is featured in many beadwork publications.

Born in the USA, she currently resides in Canada. Maria is a designer with a BA in Art and Diploma in Merchandising. She has a proven track record for initiating and developing private and branded products and programs from concept to market. All-inclusive RYPAN DESIGNS kits were launched in 1999. Maria has a strong international presence through teaching, doing shows and presentations.

Maria’s specialties are netting, unique beadweaving and loomweaving. Being visually oriented, she has developed user-friendly instructional materials since 1995. New beadweaving styles are continually added. The loomwork experience is being fine-tuned. Eight research trips to Ukraine since 1996 yielded wonderful photos of "gerdany", beadwork archives, master craftsmen and festivals. Maria’s 2004 slide show, “Beadwork in Ukraine: Past, Present & Future,” launched her visual presentation career. Rypan has branched out into documentary presentations; a Beading “How To” series for the Creativ Festival, ON, and inspirational ones about global folk arts.