Travel Managers

Deb Haugen

Aloha from my little piece of paradise, my name is Deb Haugen, and I’m an artist/designer from Hawaii. My art career started more than 40 yrs ago, and throughout my career it has traversed many mediums, and paths. I’ve always loved color, and to draw and paint, that led me to work in Hollywood in the entertainment arena.  I then worked in film production as an “On Set” dresser, and an Art Director for an Independent feature film.  I soon realized that supplying my own personal art was a very profitable idea and have been renting my art for years.

You’ve probably seen my art many times on your favorite TV shows & feature films, NCIS, to CSI, Microsoft, or The Muppet Movie, to name a few. I also taught Art in my own studio to model makers, fabric designers, painters and prop people, specializing in airbrush realism, and still learn so much from the many artists I meet. I have licensed thousands of pieces to to Crate and Barrel, Target, Neiman Marcus, Urban Outfitters, and to hospitality Internationally just to name a few. I also had the great opportunity to own the men’s Aloha clothing line of the great Olympic swimmer and “Father of Surfing”, Duke Kahanamoku.

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Betsy Martinson

Betsy is a life-long, free choice learner, always interested in exploring the world, experiencing new cultures and gathering a greater understanding and appreciation of the people and places she is lucky enough to visit. After acquiring a BFA in Studio Art, and an MA in Art History, Betsy shifted her focus to history and spent over thirty glorious years in the Museum field focusing on interpretation, administration, and visitors studies. Retiring in 2020, Betsy is thrilled to slide into the role of Tour Manager for Craftours.

Her passion for learning and interpretation continues. Never having met a craft she didn’t like, you will usually find Betsy traveling with a knitting or beading project, always happy to share her hobbies and to learn about those of everyone she meets. Betsy still embraces her role as educator and looks forward to guiding and assisting others as they pursue their own crafting and cultural explorations.

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Alice Ridge

I learned how to sew and embroider by hand when I was in second grade, taught by my grandmother and my great aunt. I got my first sewing machine when I was in 5^th grade and have been sewing ever since. I have been quilting on and off for over 40 years. Quilting “obsessively” (as my husband says) for the last 20+ years. I have been a Traveling Quilt Teacher and Speaker for about fifteen years. Just about all quilting styles appeal to me. Handwork and machine, traditional to art quilts. I love to try new techniques and ‘tweak’ old ones to make them new and fresh! I have a small rigid heddle loom to weave my own fabric to incorporate into some of my art quilts. I love playing with the different textures that you can get from different fibers! I also crochet and knit, and am learning how to tat lace. Never a dull moment!

Her passion for learning and interpretation continues. Never having met a craft she didn’t like, you will usually find Betsy traveling with a knitting or beading project, always happy to share her hobbies and to learn about those of everyone she meets. Betsy still embraces her role as educator and looks forward to guiding and assisting others as they pursue their own crafting and cultural explorations.

Personal info: I am married to a career Army man ( he finally retired after 35 yrs Active Duty !!) and have traveled all over the world. We have lived on 3 continents…. We moved 22 times in 35 years. We bought our “forever” house and I don’t intend to ever move again!! 3 children – 2 daughters and 1 son. The girls are in Indiana, my son is in the Army and his location changes as often as ours did! Such is life in the military! 4 grandchildren – 2 girls and 2 boys, all of them in Indiana. Thanks for Sharing in my Quilting Adventures!!

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Alex Cook

I’m Alex Cook, and for the past 14 years, I’ve been on a mission to help thousands transform their lives through the power of health and wellness.

My interest in exercise sparked at 14, but it wasn’t until I was 24, when I took my first job as a personal trainer, that my life truly changed. That same year, I spent days in the hospital, battling an undiagnosed illness that left me fighting for my life. I walked out of there without medical answers, but with a renewed appreciation for life, sparking a journey into what it really means to be healthy.

While I was well-versed in diet, nutrition, and exercise for physical health, my health scare revealed the importance of nurturing the mind, body, and spirit equally. Over the next years, I immersed myself in understanding mindset, habit development, and philosophy.

My goal has always been to blend the art with the science of healthy living, and this approach has led to incredible transformations, both in my clients and in myself.

Today, I live in Asheville, NC, with my wife, daughter, and dog, working with clients worldwide. My story isn’t just about health; it’s about living life with purpose, connection, and balance, inspiring anyone to make lasting, impactful changes in their own journey.

I am excited to unite with the Craft Tours family and bring our shared passion for adventure and wellness to a whole new level!

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Cherry Hill

My name is Cherry Hill, and I’m originally from Amarillo, Texas, where I discovered my passion for garment sewing at a young age. Influenced by the exceptional seamstresses in my family—my mother and grandmother—I developed my skills early on.

I pursued my education at Texas Tech University and Amarillo College, earning a degree in nursing. Over the past 28 years, I dedicated my career to the hospice field, providing compassionate care for both adults and children.

I had the joy of raising two wonderful children and cherish every moment spent with them and my six grandchildren. In 2020, I relocated to Hamilton, Missouri, and retired from nursing in 2022. Shortly after, I joined the Missouri Star Quilt Company, where I had the honor of serving as a personal assistant to Jenny Doan.

With over 10 years of quilting experience, I find immense joy in creating beautiful pieces, along with hand embroidery and watercolor painting. Art and creativity have always been integral to my life. My years of traveling as a nurse sparked my love for exploration, and I relish the opportunity to meet new people and immerse myself in different cultures. I look forward to continuing my travels and sharing unforgettable experiences with our guests!

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Diana Przybysz

Diana has never met a craft she didn’t fall in love with; knitting, sewing, quilting, cross stitching, scrapbooking, stained glass, cooking, you name it! She lives on a small little homestead near Frederick, MD with her husband, 5 children, and a menagerie of animals. She is an avid spinner and knitter and has her own flock of sheep. In her free time, you can find her washing, combing, and spinning up their fleece into beautiful yarn. A passionate outdoor enthusiast, she is also very involved in her children’s scouting units and often takes her daughter’s troop on weekend outdoor adventures camping and hiking. Diana loves the thrill of experiencing new cultures, eating delicious new foods, and traveling the world with new friends.

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Mallory Galbraith

I grew up in Arlington, Texas, and earned a Bachelor of Arts in Photo Communications from Texas Tech University. Since graduating, I’ve spent my career in the customer service industry, an experience that has instilled in me a genuine love for meeting new people and connecting with others every day.

In 2023, I met the love of my life, Nathanael, and moved from Denver, Colorado to Kansas City, Missouri. I’m also the proud stepmom of two amazing kids, Caeden (13) and Micah (10), who definitely keep me on my toes!

My love for adventure began nearly 20 years ago with my first backpacking trip to the Grand Canyon. I was instantly hooked. Since then, I’ve hiked and backpacked all over the U.S., including the Pacific Crest Trail in 2022, a 2,650-mile journey from Mexico to Canada. I’ve also explored the Colorado Trail, the Tahoe Rim Trail, the John Muir Trail, and numerous national parks. I truly believe in the healing power of nature and the importance of spending time outdoors.

In addition to my love for the wilderness, I’m deeply passionate about exploring new cultures. I believe that immersing ourselves in different ways of life fosters personal growth and expands our perspective on the world.

I’m incredibly excited to be part of the Craftours team, and I can’t wait to embark on unforgettable adventures with you. Let’s chase new horizons together and discover the beauty of culture, nature, and connection!

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Ana Buzzalino

Ana Buzzalino grew up in Buenos Aires, Argentina, where sewing was part of her life at an early age. She studied dressmaking and art while in school. In early 1983, Ana moved to Calgary. A couple of years later, while walking down the street, she saw a “blanket” on a window and went into the store to ask about purchasing it. She was told that it wasn’t for sale, but that she could learn how to make her own. She signed up for a beginner’s quilting class that same day, and she never looked back. The rest, as they say, is history.

Ana has been teaching quilting since 1986 and has taken numerous workshops with renowned quilt and textile artists throughout the years to improve her skills. Some of the workshops have been with Claire Benn, Hollis Chatelain, Laura Cater Woods, and Elizabeth Barton among others. She has also attended several classes at the Alberta University of the Arts.

Ana Buzzalino is a creator, maker, fibre and mixed media artist, surface designer, teacher and lecturer. Her love of layers and texture combine in her original work. She achieves results using a combination of different surface design techniques such as monoprinting, hand-painting, free-motion stitching and hand-stitching, amongst others to achieve the effects she’s searching for. Her work has won numerous awards at national and international shows. In 2019 Ana was honoured as Quilter of Distinction at Heritage Park 24th Annual Festival of Quilts.

IA lot of her work for the past few years has used aspects of history with an impact on our culture today. In the current climate where everything is new, instant and shiny, history has relevance; old buildings have a soul that modern buildings do not possess. She finds herself returning to those old buildings to look at the marks of passing time.

Weathered wood, rusted metal, peeling paint. The work takes on various shapes and forms to draw the viewer in. The layered elements are used to give the impression of time passing, buildings deteriorating, disappearing slowly to make room for the new.

Ana is a frequent contributor to Quilting Arts Magazine and her work has graced the cover of four issues of the magazine. She has appeared in seasons 1900, 1200, 1000, 900 and 800 of Quilting Arts TV. Her work has also appeared in the American Quilter’s Society Magazine, in A Needle Pulling Thread, and in Modern Patchwork, as well as in 101 Patchwork Projects and Quilts and Quilt Scene. Ana has also produced two workshop DVDs with Interweave/F&W.

Ana is the founder and CEO of Create2Flourish, a program to help quilters, textile and mixed media artists avoid frustration and overwhelm and find their own voice so they can create art in their own style. Ana is currently teaching online from her studio in Calgary, Alberta.

In August 2022, she was invited to tape a segment for The Quilt Show with Alex Anderson and Ricky Tims, to be aired late 2022 or early 2023.

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