Featured Teachers

Sandy Atkinson (Lennon, MI)

Sandy Atkinson began weaving in 1983 at 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. In 1986,  working with the University of Michigan PBS-TV, they produced a total of 5 series with 65 patterns, which are now available on YouTube. Written patterns are available at Atkinson’s Country House. 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 around the USA to teach, already having taught in more than half of our great states.

Classes: FR-8-19  Black Bantam Oval Egg Basket, SA-8-47  Beaver Dam

Steve Atkinson (Lennon, MI)

Steve took up seat weaving several years ago and really enjoys coming up with new patterns to weave. He builds all his own seat frames. He has taught in several states, but not all of them yet. Steve continues to work at the basket studio in Lennon, Michigan. Steve and Sandy live on a small farm, have eight grandchildren and love to travel in their motor home around the USA to teach.

Classes: TH-6-11  Rush Footstool, FR-4-34  Cavalry Saddle Seat Footstool, SU-4-67  Quad Point Footstool

Sheree Bingheim (Millstadt, IL)

Sheree took her first 6 basket classes in 1986 through an adult education program in MI. Over the years, she attended numerous conventions, classes and did a lot of self teaching. This led her to creating and writing her own patterns. She began teaching in 2017. Sheree lives in Southern IL with her husband, cats, peacocks and chickens. She is a full time hairdresser and owns her own salon.

Classes: FR-8-21  Titanic,SA-8-41  American Eagle, SU-4-58  Copper Twill Bracelet

Jeanne Dudley (Independence, IA)

Jeanne is a retired High School Visual Arts teacher---teaching 33 years at North-Linn Community Schools. She has an MA in Fiber Arts and Art Education and has been a basket weaver since 1985---weaving over 4800 baskets. She designs most of her own patterns. Hand-tying brooms for 19 years, Jeanne has incorporated several of her basket weaving skills into the making of her brooms.  She has  taught basket weaving and broom making in Missouri, Arkansas, Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Florida, Minnesota, and Wisconsin, as well as in her home. Jeanne is a member of many local and national Guilds.

Classes: TH-4-10  Angel Sweeper, FR-6-32  Beautiful Braid Broom, SA-8-50  Wedding Broom, SU-3-60  Beautiful Braided Whisks

Linda Elschlager (Mineral Wells, WV)

Linda Elschlager took her first basket class with a group of co-workers in 1996. By 1998, she began teaching locally out of her home. After retirement, she began traveling and teaching in various locations in the eastern part of the country. She is married to her husband of 53 yrs, Perry. They have 3 daughters and 4 grandchildren. After her family, she finds her joy in basket making and the fellowship she receives from her students and fellow weavers.

Classes: TH-6-6  Braided Skies, FR-8-36  Last Flowers of Summer, SA-8-45  Pappy's Medium Treasure Chest, SU-4-61  Mammy's Spoon Basket

Terri Feutz (Hartford, WI)

Terri has been weaving and teaching classes for over 25 years. It all started with a class at a local craft store and turned into a lifelong fascination. She has always had a great desire to learn more, and this has led to wanting to teach others to weave. Terri lives in Hartford, WI with her husband Jeff, who makes her bases and handles.

Classes: TH-4-8  Beach Treasure Jar, FR-6-30  Our Flag Basket, SA-6-54  The River Basket

Debbie Hurd (Garfield, AR)

Debbie began weaving over 40 years ago at a community education program in Arkansas. She retired from teaching first grade Reading and is now active designing new baskets, traveling, and just having fun weaving! She has taught in many states for conventions, seminars, small groups and guilds. She has also taught on many of the Basket Weaving Cruises.

Classes: TH-5-2  Chicago, FR-6-31  LANSA

Gina Kieft (Rothbury, MI)

Gina began weaving at her local Community Ed. She has been teaching for over 28 years, written over 200 patterns, had works published in two magazines and has won several awards. Gina has enjoyed teaching at the local Art’s Council, Council on Aging, Scout Troops, private groups, basket guilds, home studio classes and countless seminars. Trying new mediums and new techniques is something Gina enjoys; however, twill is her favorite! Gina is also now a “colorful girl” selling dyed reed across the country. You will find her quality dyed reed at – http://www.ginasbaskets.com

Classes: TH-6-4  Aspens In the Fall, FR-8-20  Thursday, SA-SU-10-57  Table Runner

Laura Klaus (Fenton, MO)

Laura has been weaving baskets for over 30 years and teaching for more than 20. She regularly teaches at state historic sites as well as community colleges and universities, in addition to several festivals throughout the midwest. She loves to share the joy of basket weaving with those around her and teaches all ages ranging from children to folks in retirement communities.

Classes: FR-4-35  Seagrass All Around, SA-4-56  Round n Round We Go

Julie Kleinrath (Grand Junction, CO)

Julie has been weaving since 1990 and teaching since 1993. She published her first book in 2010 and is working on her second reflecting her own designs and tidbits that will assist any level of weaver. Julie's baskets have been exhibited in galleries and have won several awards. She has taught at conventions and for private groups in over 35 states. She is currently working out of her home studio located in Grand Junction, CO. Her favorite part of teaching is seeing the joy on her students' faces when they finish their first basket.

Classes: FR-8-22  Shaded Feathers Sewing Basket, SU-4-63  Snowman in the Woods Wall Basket

Karen Kotecki (Dousman, WI)

For Karen, basket designing and weaving continues to be her artistic inspiration going on 30 years now. Teaching her designs and techniques to others is her artistic passion. Karen loves all types of baskets and continues to learn new techniques from others. She finds great joy in keeping the art form of basketry alive and moving forward.

Classes: TH-2-9  Maple Swirls, FR-6-33  Pebbles, SA-8-52  Apple Slices in the Sun, SU-4-64  Do Si Do

Pat Mercer (Wheeling, WV)

Pat Mercer has taught basketry to all ages from middle school to senior citizens in grant-funded programs, private businesses, churches, libraries, arts counsels, and retreats. In 2022, she launched monthly classes, which continue to grow in popularity. Pat experiments with non-traditional weaving materials, such as synthetic rattan, road maps, denim, dog leashes, and cotton cords. Occasionally, her designs blend basketry with such art forms as macrame, decoupage and pour painting. Most of her pieces combine function and form into a decorative piece – in other words, art with a purpose.

Classes: TH-4-14  Deep Pockets, FR-8-25  Deeper into the Garden, SA-8-48  Optics, SU-2-65  Choices

Pam Milat (Southport, NC)

Pam Milat has been designing and weaving baskets for over 23 years. A native of MO, she retired from a corporate career in NC and jumped straight into sharing and teaching multiple techniques of basketry. She blends and tweaks combinations of self-dyed reed, creating vibrant color and texture in her designs. Pam is a member of basket organizations across the country and travels to several basket conventions/events a year to teach. Back at home she teaches at the Leland NC Cultural Arts Ctr and has had 3 Gallery Shows. She also sells her baskets at the Seaglass Monthly Market in Castle Hayne NC.

Classes: TH-6-12  Yuletide Welcome, FR-8-26  Quilt Block, SA-8-46  Rhapsody

Freda Miller (Prairie Grove, AR)

Freda was bitten by the basket bug in 1994, she started weaving and never recovered. It was shortly after that she began tinkering with design. Around that same time, Freda began sharing what she had learned with others. She has always been fascinated with the weaving process, and what happens with the addition of color. Experimenting with alternative materials is also an interesting and fun experience that keeps her trying new ideas.

Classes:TH-FR-12-16  Knotwork Cat's Head, SA-8-43  Space Dyed Quatrefoil, SU-4-59  Christmas Ornaments from Scraps

Pat Moore (New Haven, MO)

Pat Moore started weaving baskets in 1999 when her friend suggested taking a class from a new friend who had moved to St. Louis from England. After moving from the St. Louis area to Washington, MO, Pat began teaching adult education students the art of basket weaving. Pat has a studio in her home where she teaches students who are now her friends. She also teaches at the city library, art council in a nearby town and at Shaw Nature Reserve in Gray Summit, MO. Pat enjoys seeing the accomplishments of her students and works very hard to allow them to make baskets that they will enjoy.

Classes: TH-FR-12-17  Feather Basket, SA-8-42  Pat's Blanket Basket, SU-4-66  5" Nantucket with lid

LInda Ormand (Conroe, TX)

Linda Ormand has been weaving baskets for 30 years. When she’s creating, nothing else seems to matter. Linda began teaching locally in 2009. She is a member of the Texas, Oklahoma, Bluegrass, and Missouri Basketweaving Guilds as well as several of the Texas local guilds. She is also a member of the National Basketry Organization and regularly participates in monthly Guild zoom meetings.

Class: TH-FR-12-18  Heather's Twill

Marilyn Parr (Stanton, MI)

Marilyn's journey began over 40 years ago with an invitation from a friend to attend a basket weaving class at our Community Education foundation. Fell in love with the process and continued to weave, learn, and attend any class she could get into. About 15 years ago she started playing with designing and hired Amish gentlemen to craft her bases and leather handles. They do beautiful work! Marilyn has taught in at least 15 states and on two basket weaving cruises with the third one coming in 2027! The friendships that have been made are such a blessing and she just wishes she had started earlier in life.

Classes: TH-4-13  Trinkets, Treasures, and Thingamajigs, FR-8-24  Faded Blues Market, SA-8-49  Field of Poppies Tote, SU-4-68  Peppermint Parade

Cindy Pauchey (Walters, OK)

Cindy Pauchey has been weaving baskets since 1984, when she owned a quilt/crossstitch shop. While ordering fabric for the shop she noticed a "weave your own basket book". She was hooked! She enjoyed teaching art in the public school system for 28 years while she continued to weave and teach weaving classes from her home. After retiring she had  the joy of teaching at basketweaving conferences in Texas, Oklahoma, Michigan, and Missouri. She says there is no better retirement job anywhere!

Classes: FR-8-38  Yarn Basket, SA-8-53  Oval Melon, , SU-4-71  Wall Circles - Weaving Fun

Kathy Petronzio (Emerald Isle, NC)

Kathy has been weaving baskets for 40 years. She has taught at various guilds and Conventions around the country. While stationed in Japan she taught classes and learned various Japanese techniques. Nantucket and Shaker basketry are two of her favorites.

Classes: TH-4-3  Small Japanese Bowl, FR-6-28  Elegant Pot Belly, SA-8-37  Nantucket with Beaded Border

Mary Price (Mesa, AZ)

Mary Price, known as "The Wanderlust Weaver" of Sunset Ridge Basketry, is a full-time traveling basket weaving instructor. Her dedicated teaching journey has taken her through 17 states, Germany, and the Caribbean via the Basket Weaving Cruise. She discovered her passion for basket weaving in 1996, thanks to her sister's guidance in crafting a market basket. Within her first year as a new weaver, she launched her basket weaving business, offering classes in her Woodstock, IL, home studio. Mary's enthusiasm lies in creating and teaching others to make unique reed baskets.

Classes: TH-6-1  Illusions, FR-8-23  Queen's Cup, SA-8-40  Pagoda, SU-2-62  Mini Oval

Bonnie Rideout (Decatur, IL)

Bonnie wove her first basket in 1994 and quickly caught the “basket bug”. In 2006 she created her business, “Bonnie’s Baskets”, teaching others how to weave. Shortly after, she began designing her own baskets, which she absolutely loves to do! In addition to teaching locally, Bonnie loves to travel to teach. Outside of Illinois, her travels have led her to 19 other states and looks forward to adding a few more to that list!  Her website is www.bonniesbasketsil.com. You can also find Bonnie on Facebook, Instagram, and Etsy.

Classes: TH-6-7  Thankful, FR-6-29  The Tournesol Tote, SA-6-55  Summer Breeze Tote, SU-4-69  Whispering Meadows Wall Basket

Lorelea Roberts (Louisville, KY)

Lorelea Roberts, a basket weaving expert from Louisville, Kentucky, has a 30-year journey that began in Vermont. Her craft extends beyond traditional baskets, using diverse techniques and materials. She's taught in several states and served as President of the Kentucky Basket Association. Lorelea is passionate about meeting fellow enthusiasts and sharing her weaving artistry. Join her for an inspiring mix of tradition and innovation in basket weaving.

Classes: FR-8-27  Equalizer, SA-8-51  Luck O' the Weaver, SU-4-70  X Marks the Spot

Cathy Sylvester (Independence, MO)

Cathy Sylvester has been weaving, designing, and teaching basket classes over 35 years. Cathy has taught at MBG Conventions, Oklahoma and Iowa events, classes at Missouri Town 1855, Powell Botanical Gardens, the Missouri Blacksmithing Convention and other venues. She teaches basket classes, designs and creates patterns, and weaves from her Tanglewood Baskets studio in Independence, MO. Cathy especially loves combining hardwoods in her basket projects. Her husband Rob hand mills wood from their property and makes slotted bases, liners, and accessories for her basket projects.

Classes: TH-6-5  No Hoop-la Ribbed Basket, SA-8-44  Two-Tiered Server

Laura Lee Zanger (Augusta, GA)

Laura Lee Zanger has been designing baskets and writing patterns since October 2000. She has been teaching on the basketry convention circuit since 2002. She enjoys expressing her creativity using the twill number rhythms found in the southeastern Indian and Yombe Congo twill techniques. Laura Lee has also written basketry poems and instructional books. Her goal is to enlighten everyone on the thrill of twill.

Classes: TH-FR-12-15  Hungry Hummer or Cardinals in the Berries Tray, SA-8-39  4-Block Twill Urn