Originally a multi-harness weaver, I was attracted to ply-split braiding as a portable weaving method about 12 years ago. Each design begins with cords, 16 strands and 20 feet at a time. With a basic shape in mind, my three-dimensional pieces grow and morph into whimsical objects d’art that have been displayed on three continents and won awards in New England. I share my skills spontaneously, teaching anyone who shows an interest (and doesn’t run away!). Ply-splitting taught me unweaving is not only OK, but often necessary and ultimately fulfilling!

Ruby Leslie is a full-time weaver and studio artist in Vermont, designing handwovens as Ruby Charuby Weavings. Using off the shelf commercial yarn, she has developed design techniques for creating stunning textiles that appear custom-dyed or hand-painted. Her deep-rooted enthusiasm for sampling, experimenting and designing swatches for Handwoven magazine’s ‘Color Forecast’ series, led to the development of her classes. Ruby has taught in northern Norway and Greenland, at Convergences, regional conferences and guilds throughout the US. She was one of three weaver/designer teams invited by the HGA to create a collaborative runway ensemble for the 2010 Convergence Design Fashion Challenge in Albuquerque, NM. The rhythms of her looms inspired her children to produce a rap music video “Getya Loom Goin” for their “Ma, the Weava”: www.youtube.com/user/WFLLTV

Krysten Morganti is a devoted artisanal weaver/spinner who loves to use all the colors all at once, and especially enjoys the challenge of working with reclaimed materials. She breathes new life into old tools, using vintage looms and spinning wheels she restores in her Massachusetts studio. As a passionate teacher and lifelong learner, Krysten may be single-handedly responsible for getting hundreds of people hooked on weaving and spinning. A mathematician by training, she understands the importance of getting her students beyond the "how" to the "why”.

John Mullarkey is passionate about teaching tablet weaving and exploring new ways to make the art form more contemporary. Tablet weaving is a primitive weaving style that creates simple weave structures, but offers great variation in possible patterns. John loves to push tablet weaving outside the normal and historical limits to create his own interpretation of traditional patterns. He is a nationally recognized teacher and is valued for the patience, clarity and organization he brings to his classes. After beginning to teach in 2009, John left a part-time software development career to focus on weaving and teach full time. John has won many awards, is a frequent contributor to national weaving publications and has authored books and videos about the craft. His creations have appeared in international fashion shows and been displayed at museums. The Schacht Zoom Loom is based on John's design.

Rosalie Neilson loves using color and geometric design in her weaving, her specialty being warp-faced rep. She publishes articles regularly in weaving and braiding journals and maintains an active teaching schedule. Her publications include three books on Kumihimo patterns and An Exaltation of Blocks, a two-volume book with a toolkit of printed Design Pages and Transparent Overlays for weavers and designers to explore literally millions of unique symmetric patterns.

Jennifer Lee has been enjoying making bark baskets for 45 years. Her interest began with the study of her Northeast Woodland Native American ancestors. She teaches bark basket classes and educational programs extensively. The bark, roots, and branches are wild harvested by her family in the Northern Berkshire mountains of Massachusetts. She's received awards at the Mohegan Wigwam Festival, Saratoga Native American Festival, Kearsarge Indian Museum, Deerfield Craft Show, and North Carolina Basketmakers Association.

Dee Moore has been exploring a variety of textile arts for more than 30 years and loves sharing that passion through teaching spinning and weaving in Western Massachusetts. They are excited about helping new fiber artists build confidence and skills. They can often be found working from their studio in a historic mill building in Easthampton, where they are working on creating a maker space for textile enthusiasts.

Sue Muldoon is a seatweaver, basketmaker and broommaker. Based in Enfield, CT, she teaches and vends up and down the East Coast from Maine to NC. A frequent vendor at many sheep and wool shows, she is familiar with what fiber artists are looking for. Look for Sue at www.reduxforyou.com

Andrea Myklebust is a shepherd, spinner, weaver, and bast fiber researcher living in southwestern Vermont. She teaches traditional hand textile-making technologies at sites across New England and the upper Midwest. More information about Andrea and her farm, Mountain Heart, is available at her website, www.mountainheartvt.com.   

Sara Nordling holds a BFA in studio art/textiles from Indiana University and currently resides in Fort Wayne, Indiana. She has been weaving and teaching for over 25 years.  Weaving’s endless possibilities is what drew her into weaving and what keeps her interested to this day.  She enjoys weaving everything from the simple to the complex.  Her recent explorations have focused on double weave and inlay techniques including Theo Moorman.  She has done various commissions and her work can be found in the USA, France and Australia.