Tom Knisely has made his career from his interest and love of textiles from around the world. He has been studying, collecting and teaching others about weaving and spinning for more than four decades, making him one of the most well versed weaving instructors in North America.
Instructors
Meet – Sara Norine James
She is a fiber artist and photographer from the Tampa Bay area. As a life long learner, maker, and teacher, Sara uses her knowledge of traditional craft to create innovative art while maintaining functional design.
Meet – Mary Schmutte
I have been weaving for over 40 years. I am self taught rug weaver then in 1986, I started taking classes and became hooked on weaving with finer threads and exploring all the wonders of fiber.
Meet – John Mullarkey
Nationally-recognized teacher John Mullarkey has been tablet weaving for over a decade.
His work has been displayed in the Missouri History Museum, and garments using his card woven bands have been featured in international fashion shows.
Meet – Jennifer Williams
Jennifer B. Williams is a band weaver who finds endless joy in her inkle loom, her favorite tool for creative exploration. Inspired by both tradition and innovation, she explores techniques from around the world and adapts them to the inkle loom.
Meet – Janney Simpson
For over 40 years Janney Simpson has been weaving. She has taught floor loom weaving at Wesleyan Potters in Connecticut and at her barn in Gaylord, Michigan as well as at conferences and guilds.
Meet – Emma Pinault
Emma Pinault developed a love of teaching and learning new things during her ten year career as a public librarian.
Meet – Dawn Edwards
I am Dawn Edwards, a felt artist and tutor based in Plainwell, Michigan. I sell my work under the label Felt So Right and teach extensively within the USA and internationally.
Meet – Constance Lee
As a native Floridian, Constance lived in Los Angeles for several decades. However, after retiring from the IBM Corporation, she moved back home to Orlando.
Meet – Beth Ross Johnson
Beth Ross Johnson is a weaver, teacher and workshop leader living in Black Mountain, North Carolina.
Meet – Barbara McCormick
Barbara was born and raised in Mount Pleasant, South Carolina where she learned the trade of sweetgrass basket weaving from her grandmother, mother, aunts, and other family members at a very early age.
Meet – Adrienne Gaskell
Adrienne Gaskell is a celebrated jewelry artist who has transformed the ancient art of kumihimo braiding by incorporating gemstones, pearls, and beads into modern jewelry designs.
Meet – Alanna Wilcox
It started when I was little, around 5 years old, when my favorite thing to do was untangling the bakery string knots on car rides home from bakeries in Brooklyn.