Lana Stamper was born in Ferriday, Louisiana and grew up in the Miss-Lou area. She currently lives in Natchez, Mississippi. Lana’s background is actually in healthcare with a nursing degree and a master’s in nursing education. Teaching is her passion, no matter the topic.

Her creative journey started with photography, but she has always loved jewelry, and eventually, she started making jewelry with beads. She completed a Jewelry Design and Repair Course in 2002 and was introduced to metal clay that same year. However, it wasn't until 2012, after retiring from administration in healthcare that she pursued her jewelry-making passion with metal clay. Over the next couple of years, Lana became a certified metal clay artist from PMC Connection and Art Clay World.

Metal clay has become her medium of choice because of its limitless possibilities. She cannot get enough of it and enjoys learning about metal clay as much as teaching about metal clay. Throughout her career, Lana has looked for innovative and creative ways to engage students of all levels, and she carries that over into her metal clay classes. She currently teaches locally and throughout the state of Mississippi.

Lana is a member of the Mississippi Craftsmen Guild, Louisiana Crafts Guild and Tennessee Craft Organization. She is an instructor for the Mississippi School of Folk Arts, and her work is in local galleries and the antebellum home, Magnolia Hall. Within the last year, she has become one of the members on the Education Steering Committee for the Alliance for Metal Clay Arts Worldwide

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