meet the teachers
TRANSCRIPT
Peggy Adelman (Greensboro, NC)
My name is Peggy Adelman. My basket career started 16 years ago when we first moved to North Carolina. I took a basket making class at Guilford Technical Community College (GTCC). From there I joined the North Carolina Basket Makers Association and have taken many classes and workshops from different teachers. Five years ago, I became the basket making instructor at GTCC. I have begun to spread my wings and the last several years I have taught at several national basket making conventions. As you can tell, I love weaving baskets and helping
others learn the craft. My web site is Bluemoonbaskets.com; [email protected]; 336-288-9792 Candy Alexander (Kingsport, TN)
I am a transplanted Yankee who began making baskets shortly after moving to TN in 1989. What I thought would be an occasional hobby turned into High Ridge Baskets in 2002. My husband David makes most of the woodwork components for my basket designs. Designing functional baskets is my forte'. I have taught at guilds and conventions across most of the Southeast. I also teach children's classes at events held at local historic farms and parks. I am a charter member of the Tennessee Basketry Assoc. I am a retired art teacher, gardener,
kayaker, jewelry maker, and Nana of six grands. I can also be found teaching sewing and craft classes at The Oasis women's center in Kingsport. You can reach me at [email protected] or 423-677-5543 Denise Anthony (Robbinsville, NC)
A basket maker and teacher of basket making since 1993, I reluctantly learned the basics of basket making with NC Extension Agent, Laurie Stevens (retired) and furthered my education with the help of Lyn Siler’s books as well as years of attending basket making conventions. Thanks to many mentors along the way, I now teach my basket creations at various state conventions (NC, SC, TN, KY, IN, GA) and as well as introducing students to basketry locally. Recently, I have begun to add other materials to basket creations, giving new life to the classics. My designs incorporate basic basket making techniques, so that a beginner will develop
a good foundation on which to build. My focus is designing baskets that are easy enough for the beginner student yet challenging and interesting enough to attract all levels of basket makers. You can reach me at [email protected] or 828-479-2873 Sandy & Steve Atkinson (Lennon, MI)
Sandy Atkinson began weaving in 1983 when she was home with her four daughters. In 1985 she and her husband Steve opened Atkinson's Country House, where she could teach basket weaving and sell supplies. The success of the business grew into a nationwide mail order company. In 1986 Sandy approached the U of M PBS-TV about doing a series on basket weaving. The concept was enthusiastically received and The U of Michigan produced the first two series of "Country Basket Weaving with Sandy Atkinson". Series three, four, and five were produced by Steve and Sandy. All five series have been picked up by PBS and Sterling Digital out of New York. Steve and Sandy continue to work at the basket studio in Lennon, Michigan. They live on a
small farm, have eight grandchildren and love to travel in the motor home around the USA to teach. Contact Sandy or Steve at [email protected] or 810-280-6987
Anne Bowers (Kearneysville, WV)
Anne is from the Eastern Panhandle of West Virginia where she works in her studio designing and teaching baskets. She was a production basket maker for many years and she brings those skills into each basket that she teaches. Ribbed basketry is her specialty, and some of her baskets have taken on a sculptural perspective in recent years. Anne has participated in many basketry exhibits, has received an award from Tamarack for being outstanding in the skills of basketry and has won many awards for her work. She is a member of the National Basketry
Organization. She has taught on 3 basketry cruises, teaches basketry widely and lectures about the woven form.
Meet The Teachers
She is in her 35th year of weaving and is still fascinated with the woven form. She recently participated in her 26th year of Jefferson County, Wv’s annual Over the Mountain Studio Tour. Anne can be reached at [email protected] or 304-725-0567 Char Ciamaichella (Aurora, OH)
Char has been weaving for over 20 years and teaching for the last 12 years. She weaves mainly with reed and loves playing with color placement to get many different and interesting patterns. She teaches at home, at guild gatherings, and many weaving conventions. She loves teaching and passing down the weaving techniques to all. She has opened her website www.charsweavings.com to purchase basket kits and basket related jewelry, and is constantly trying new techniques, colors and ideas! She has been the coordinator for WinterWeave Conference the last 20 years.
Visit www.charsweavings.com or contact Char at [email protected] / 330-562-1903 Pati English (Seneca, SC)
As Resident Artist with the S.C. Arts Commission, Pati has enjoyed teaching her love of weaving to more than 2000 young students to encourage the next generation of weavers. Over the past 29 years, she has taught at state conventions, seminars, guilds, museums,
and the John C. Campbell Folk School. Materials hand dyed in her studio are incorporated in original designs available nationally. She is the author of the new book, Award-Winning Basket Designs; Techniques and Patterns For All Levels featuring 349 color photographs and 15 award-
winning patterns. Pati will have a book signing during Teacher Marketplace where you can purchase the book personally from her and have autographed to your request; or order from her website, www.BasketsMySpecialty.com. She continues to experiment in her studio with basket
dyes, materials, and various techniques to challenge weavers in her newest basket designs. Contact Pati at [email protected]; [email protected] or 864-882-0142
Patty Feather (Punta Gorda, FL )
Patty began weaving in the year of 2000, attending numerous conferences and exploring unusual materials and techniques in her designs. Patty has been teaching professionally for eleven years, starting in a mixed media artist’s guild in Paducah KY, and expanding her exposure by forming active guilds in Paducah and Mayfield KY, and Evansville IN. Patty has a BA in education, and resides in Florida with her husband. Patty’s basket making supply business, Feather Baskets, is based out of her home, where she develops new basket designs. She spends most of her time teaching at conferences, retreats[ KY, TN, IN, NC, WV, GA, OH, VA, IL, FL, PA ,MO, MI, schools, guilds, and any group interested in learning about basket weaving.
Contact Patty at [email protected] . . . 270-519-1626 Gayle Green (Greeneville, TN)
Gayle Green has been weaving baskets for over 15 years. In 2015 anticipating retirement, she purchased WoodWeavers Workshop from Anne Coleman, including the copyright to over 300 of Anne's original patterns and designs. Gayle is a member of the Tennessee Basketry Association where she serves as Treasurer and the Greeneville Basket Guild. She enjoys finding new applications for basketry techniques and finding ways to integrate unusual elements in her designs. When not involved in basketry activities, Gayle competes in performance events with her two Portuguese Water Dogs.
Contact Gayle at [email protected] or 423-832-0071 Barbara Holt (Bristol, TN)
Barbara Holt has been a basket maker for over 20 years. She has taught at workshops and conventions in TN, MI, KY, SC, NC and VA. She is widely known as the founder of both the Tennessee Basketry Convention and the Tri-State Basketry Guild. She chaired the first two TBA conventions and again in 2010, and was President of TBA for 2014-15. A North Carolina native, retired administrator and college professor, she and her husband, BW Holt, live in Bristol, TN. Their son, Stu, and family live in Boone, NC. Busier than ever in "retirement", she enjoys traveling, concerts, reading, walking, basketry, Zentangle, Mah Jongg, and football, and most importantly, spending time with three granddaughters.
Contact Barbara at [email protected] or 423-361-3233
Sharon Klusmann (Tallmadge, OH))
Sharon Klusmann has been weaving, designing and teaching basketry for 30 years. Her website has seven pages of her original designs. She not only teaches basketry from her home
studio in Tallmadge, OH but at national conventions and guilds throughout the country. She has had three of her designs featured in Create and Decorate Magazine and is the author of “Business in a Basket” to help others who love basket weaving turn their passion into a
successful teaching business. Visit www.SharonKlusmann.com; Contact Sharon at [email protected] or 330-644-0742 /
330-607-5093 Karen Maugans (Waynesboro, VA)
Karen took up weaving in 1999 quickly falling in love with the art. So much so upon retirement she immediately went to work in a basket shop and then began teaching. Karen and husband, Kim, are owners of K-n-K CREATIONS. Other interests are reading, gardening, church functions, and enjoying the pleasures of each new day. She and Kim live in a small community called New Hope in the Shenandoah Valley of Virginia. They have a small place in the woods and share a mixture of pets – goats, chickens, and an ample supply of cats.
Contact Karen or Kim at [email protected] or 540-292-1669 Nancy Matthews (Clarksville, TN)
A professional educator for nearly 40 years, Nancy loves to teach. Her sister taught her to weave, but she was not hooked until she made her first rib basket. Her mission is to develop and teach techniques that simplify rib basket construction and result in a more enjoyable weaving process. She enjoys weaving all types of rib baskets and designing new variations. For her, the best part is watching students learn new techniques and create baskets that make them happy.
Contact Nancy at [email protected] or 931-302-5767 Mary & Jimmie Earl McKinzie (Washington, IL)
Mary’s love of baskets led to her first weaving class, and she soon got Jimmie Earl involved. They have been weaving together for over 19 years. Mary is Past-President of Land of Lincoln Basket Weaving Association (LLBWA) in Illinois. Both are juried members of the Illinois Artisans Association. This teaching duo retired from their “day jobs” and they are living their dream of spending more time together, weaving and teaching basketry.
Contact Mary or Jimmie Earl at [email protected] or 309-453-4955
Dona Nazarenko (Tunbridge, VT)
Dona makes the art of basketry fun as you learn her techniques and methods to achieve something you could be proud of. Weaving since 1988, she started teaching classes throughout NJ at school campus’, local basketry guilds and at various galleries. She has won numerous awards for her work and has been recognized on TV, in newspapers and in basketry newsletters. She moved to Vermont in 1996 and taught Basketry Classes at NH Lebanon College for over 8 years. She continues to teach classes and workshops across the country as well as having classes at her quiet & secluded “Country Spirit Basket” studio.
Contact Dona at [email protected]; [email protected] or 802-889-3269
Billy Owens (Jenkins, MO) Owens Oak Baskets is located in the Ozark Hills of Southwest Missouri near Branson, MO. It is family owned & has been operated solely by the Owens family for generations. Dale Owens, was the founder of Owens Oak Baskets. He made baskets many years ago for "Mutton Hallow""Silver Dollar City", & "Shepard of the Hills" in Branson, Missouri. Billy Owens is the second generation of White Oak Basket makers, he was taught by his father the "Owens' traditional way of making baskets. Billy personally harvests, cuts, and splits - all by hand - the White Oak that is used in all the kits, supplies & baskets. All of the work is done by him & the
many "Owens" family members. Visit owensoakbaskets.com or contact Billy at [email protected] / 417-569-4045
Joni-Dee & David Ross (Summerfield, NC)
Joni-Dee and David Ross grew up in Aiken county SC, met in junior high school and have been "going steady" since 1970. Both are graduates of Clemson University. When Joni-Dee wove her first basket in 1989, she discovered the perfect expression of her exuberant optimism and joy in life. Living then in Rocky Mount NC, she founded Handmade North Carolina Baskets in 1991. She has earned a degree in education and has written and published over 80 basket patterns. David is an experienced woodworker as well as having a PhD in biology. His grandfather inspired him in woodcraft and to become a self-taught woodworker. Since retiring from agribusiness in 2013, he has become a full partner in Handmade North Carolina Baskets. He produces many of the hardwood components for their business, including a wide variety of wood-turned items and custom furniture.
In addition to weaving and teaching classes at their studio, Joni-Dee and David regularly conduct workshops at conventions, guilds and art centers throughout the US.
Contact Joni or David at [email protected] or 336-337-8589 Joyce B. Smith (Kingsport, TN . . .
Joyce has been a basketmaker for nearly three decades. She studied Shaker basketry under Martha Weatherby, and has also taken white oak classes from the McColleys in West Virginia. Her specialty is designing Shaker baskets and whimsical necklace pouches using ash splint. She is a regular teacher at conventions across the south, such as Guilders Weave in Norfolk, Va and the TBA convention. Joy is a retired math teacher who moved from Norfolk VA to Kingsport TN shortly after retiring. She is on the board for the historic Exchange Place farm. She is also a member of Altrusa and very involved with the First Book program.
Contact Joy at [email protected] or 423-765-1570 Kathy Taylor
In 1999, I was a widow in Hanover NH. I met Nathan Taylor and joined one of his classes making the 7" Classic Round Nantucket basket with some nice older ladies from Maine. Never having made a basket before, I was a bit intimidated by the prospect. Nathan and I became more than friends as we made baskets together. We married, sold our homes, and opened a new basket shop in Warner NH. There I built my skills as an ash splint basket-maker over the next 12 years. We eventually followed the warm weather to TN. Here we purchased a store front and opened
a shop in Hohenwald (south central TN). Now, after 16 years of running the business end of the shop and designing baskets, I have decided to pass on some of my basket skills in simple wood splint basketry. I love knowing that these baskets will still be around long after I am gone.
Contact Kathy or Nathan at [email protected] or 931-295-3213
The weavers in each class have paid for their teacher's time and attention. Please be respectful of this.
DO NOT INTERRUPT A CLASS to talk to a teacher.
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