🧺✨ East Tennessee Basket Weavers’ Retreat – November 4–7, 2026 ✨🧺
November 4 - November 7
Experience the art of handwoven basketry during the peak of autumn in the Smoky Mountain foothills. This annual retreat is the premier East Tennessee basketry event for hobbyists and professionals alike. Whether you are searching for beginner basket weaving classes or advanced heritage craft techniques, our multi-day retreat offers immersive learning in a serene, creative environment.
Highlights:
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Skill-Building Workshops: Focus on ribbed baskets, white oak weaving, and natural fiber arts.
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Community Connection: Network with members of the East Tennessee Basketweavers Association.
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On-Site Lodging: Stay where you weave! Inclusive packages available for the full Appalachian craft experience.
Dates: November 4-7, 2026
Location: Clyde Austin 4-H Camp, Greenville TN
Keywords: Tennessee Basketry Association Convention 2026, basket weaving convention, Cookeville TN events, fiber arts workshops 2026.
Event Overview: Save the date for the 2026 TBA Convention, the largest gathering of basket weavers in Tennessee. Centrally located for participants from Knoxville, Nashville, and Chattanooga, this four-day fiber arts conference features nationally recognized instructors and a massive basketry marketplace.
Why Attend:
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Masterclasses: Learn traditional weaving techniques and modern sculptural forms.
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The Marketplace: Shop for basketry supplies, hand-dyed reed, and unique tools from top basketry vendors.
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Exhibit Gallery: View a juried showcase of the finest handmade baskets in the Volunteer State.
Retreat Classes, Instructors & Keywords
| Class Title | Instructor | Skill Level | Keywords |
| Minibou (W1) | Susan & Eric Baxter | Beginner |
Bloom base, round reed, chase weave, rolled border |
| 3 Small Brooms (W2) | Marlow Gates | All Levels |
Broom corn, whisk broom, turnover weave, cake tester |
| Sweet Transportation (W3) | Marilyn Parr | Intermediate |
Pie carrier, round wood base, shaping, upset spokes |
| Christmas Cheer (W4) | Bonnie Rideout | All Levels |
Jar basket, twill weave, floral arrangement, holiday |
| Color Squared (TH1) | Candy Alexander | All Levels |
Dyed locking rows, base fillers, stacked columns |
| Tribal (TH2) | Karen & Kim Maugans | All Levels |
Space-dyed reed, seagrass, leather handles, chase weave |
| 7″ Gourd Basket (TH3/FR3) | Sheryl Scott | All Levels |
Prepared Martin gourd, continuous weave, flat reed |
| Double Crossed (TH4) | Candy Alexander | Intermediate |
Slotted wood base, space-dyed reed, leather side handles |
| Squatty (TH5) | Karen & Kim Maugans | All Levels |
Splayed feet, living room tote, leather handles |
| Apple Gourd Basket (TH6/S2) | Sheryl Scott | All Levels |
Gourd art, continuous weave, natural craft |
| Hearth Broom (TH7) | Marlow Gates | All Levels |
Wood carving, broom corn, fireplace broom, strength required |
| GenetaToo (TH8) | Susan & Eric Baxter | Advanced |
Petal base, Hamburg cane, round reed, trac border |
| Medium Tree Collar (TH9) | Marilyn Parr | Intermediate |
Tree collar, triple twine, overlays, holiday decor |
| Nothing but Blue Skies (TH10) | Bonnie Rideout | All Levels |
Large basket, step up arrows, seagrass rim, bird accent |
| Thrasher Lane (TH11) | Marilyn Wald | Intermediate |
Double wall, double slotted base, paired arrows |
| Cobweb Broom (TH12) | Marlow Gates | Beginner |
Intro broom making, finished handle, round broom |
| Reversable Carrier (FR1) | Candy Alexander | All Levels |
Slotted wood base, leather handles, reversible pattern |
| Old Coffee Road (FR2) | Marilyn Wald | Beginner |
Traditional weaving, gift basket, shaping base |
| Naturals Jars (FR4) | Sheryl Scott | All Levels |
Philodendron sheathes, natural fibers, jute, glass jar |
| Four Corners (FR5) | Marilyn Wald | All Levels |
D handle, traditional weaving, vegetable accents |
| Ziba (FR6) | Susan & Eric Baxter | Beginner |
Autumn colors, bloom base, swirl pattern, rolled border |
| Sweeper Broom (FR7) | Marlow Gates | Advanced |
Vine-wrapped handle, broom corn, full-size sweeper |
| 8″ Melon (FR8) | Karen & Kim Maugans | All Levels |
Rib basket, God’s Eye, rib insertion, traditional craft |
| Making Tracks (FR9) | Marilyn Parr | Intermediate |
Turkey tracks design, leather clutch, silver conchos |
| Center of Attention (FR10) | Bonnie Rideout | All Levels |
Amish handles, “Blessed” sitter, pip berries, slotted base |
| Zipped Up (S1) | Candy Alexander | All Levels |
Color play pattern, slotted base, precision shaping |
| Sullivan (S3) | Susan & Eric Baxter | Beginner |
Round reed, bloom base, 3-rod wale, rolled border |
| Witches’ Broom (S4) | Marlow Gates | All Levels |
Dyed broom corn, turn-over head, magic wand |
| Woven 2 Gather (S5) | Karen & Kim Maugans | All Levels |
Market basket, woven base, double lashing |
| TP Supply (S6) | Marilyn Parr | Intermediate |
Tower basket, round base, whirls, bathroom storage |
| All Hearts Come Home (S7) | Bonnie Rideout | All Levels |
Chicken feet base, state charm, push-in handle, holiday |
| Quilt Blocks (S8) | Marilyn Wald | Intermediate |
Hand-painted quilt blocks, wood base, quilter tote |
🤝 Connect with ETBWA
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Facebook Group: East Tennessee Basket Weavers’ Association
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Email: etbwa@gmail.com
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