Meet Athena

Athena has been part of the Coletta Collections team since 2023, and she quickly discovered her passion for working with color and detail. From the very beginning, it was clear that she had a natural eye for design and a love of jewelry—especially anything in vibrant jewel tones. She often admired the sparkling glass and beautifully crafted pieces through the studio windows, and when she was finally invited inside to try her hand at the craft, she was instantly captivated.

Like many true artists, Athena thrives in a calm, quiet environment where she can focus. Once she sits down at her workspace, her concentration is unmatched. She has an incredible ability to follow even the most intricate patterns without assistance, and her steady, careful approach allows her to replicate designs with stunning accuracy.

Over the years, Athena has brought her talents to some of our most popular pieces, including our delicate Winter Wonderland platter, which she has perfected season after season. She also contributed her creativity to special projects, such as our annual craft show. Whether she is arranging glass, stamping patterns, or piecing together jewelry, Athena brings patience, precision, and a love of beauty to everything she creates.

Athena’s artistry and dedication remind us of the possibilities beyond disabilities. Each product she works on reflects not only her talent but also the supportive space Coletta Collections provides for her and her fellow artisans to shine. When you shop one of our handcrafted items, you’re helping support Athena and workers like her as they continue to grow their skills and share their gifts with the world.

Meet Marie

Marie has been a dedicated member of our studio for over eight years, and in that time she has become an essential part of our team. With her sharp attention to detail and steady concentration, Marie excels at projects that require precision and accuracy. Complex patterns and intricate textile work are never a challenge for her—in fact, she thrives on them.

Marie also has a natural gift for organization. She loves cleanliness and order, and she makes sure the studio runs smoothly by keeping things in their proper places and helping projects stay on track. In a textile workshop, where countless small materials and tools are used every day, this is an incredibly valuable skill. Thanks to her, the workspace stays tidy and efficient for everyone.

Beyond her craftsmanship, Marie has a nurturing side as well. She takes care of the flowers in our studio, watering them regularly and tending to each one with care. Thanks to her attention, our windowsill has blossomed into a green, vibrant space that brings joy and color to the whole team.

Marie dedication reminds us of the possibilities beyond disabilities. Each product she works on reflects not only her talent but also the supportive space Coletta Collections provides for her and her fellow artisans to shine. When you choose one of our handcrafted items, you’re helping support Marie and artisans like her as they continue to grow their skills and share their gifts with the world.

Meet Zak

We are excited to introduce you to Zak, one of our long-time artisans! Zak has been part of St. Coletta for over a decade, contributing in many different roles—from clerical work to creating beautiful pieces in the studio.

Zak’s precision, organization, and thoughtful spirit make her an invaluable part of our studio. He brings patience and focus to even the most intricate projects, ensuring that every detail is handled with care.

His dedication reminds us of the possibilities beyond disabilities. Each product he works on reflects not only his talent but also the supportive space Coletta Collections provides for him and his fellow artisans to shine. When you choose one of our handcrafted items, you’re helping support Zak and artisans like his as they continue to grow their skills and share their gifts with the world.

Meet Leah

Leah began weaving in 2022, and in just a short time she has exceeded all of our expectations. This past year alone, she’s accomplished an incredible amount and continues to take on new challenges with enthusiasm and skill.

Leah started by helping us design the prototype for our upcoming Dog Draft Stopper, set to launch this fall. From there, she tested out prototypes for several dish towels debuting next spring, exploring new weaving techniques along the way. With this experience under her belt, Leah was ready to take on an even bigger task—creating our new line of kitchen towels. She not only helped us choose colors and test designs, but also wove the entire production run herself! Despite occasional loom issues, Leah remained calm and focused, producing high-quality towels that will be released in March.

Most recently, Leah impressed us all by weaving a prototype for a new set of napkins planned for release later this spring. This project marked a major milestone: she transitioned from a smaller 4-harness loom to a more complex 6-harness loom. The larger loom is physically demanding and uses much finer yarns, which are notoriously difficult to work with. Leah rose to the challenge beautifully—spotting and fixing small issues before they became problems and completing the entire piece without a single error. For any weaver, that’s a huge achievement.

We are so proud of Leah’s growth and can’t wait to share her creations with you. Many of the products she’s been working on will be released this Fall, so stay tuned for exciting new additions to our collection. Here’s to Leah and all the wonderful things coming your way in Fall 2025!