Tag: #Basketmakingclass

Celebrate Spring with Art, Deals, and Sustainable Creations at Whiting Mills!

Spring is the season of renewal—and what better way to welcome it than by refreshing your space with unique, handmade treasures? Mark your calendar for Saturday, May 31, starting at 11 a.m., when Whiting Mills in Winsted hosts its Artists and Makers Spring Cleaning Sale. It’s the perfect opportunity to browse one-of-a-kind creations, meet local artists, and score some incredible deals!

One artist you won’t want to miss is Tina Puckett of Tina’s Baskets and Woven Art. Known for her stunning woven creations, Tina is offering deep discounts—25% to 50% off select pieces during the event. But her work is more than just beautiful—it’s meaningful. Tina transforms invasive vines like Oriental Bittersweet, which threatens Connecticut’s forests, into handcrafted baskets, bowls, wall hangings, and sculptures. “Each piece I create is not just an object—it’s a solution,” Tina says. So when you bring home one of her creations, you’re not only adding a unique, eco-friendly treasure to your space, but you’re also helping to support sustainable practices.

With over 30 artists and makers participating, there’s something for every taste and budget. Whether you’re in the mood to redecorate, find a unique gift, or simply enjoy a day filled with creativity and community, Whiting Mills is the place to be this spring.

Visit and Connect
Tina’s Baskets and Woven Art Studio is located in Room 305 at Whiting Mills, 100 Whiting Street, Winsted. Open every Saturday and Sunday from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m., the studio welcomes visitors eager to experience Tina’s weaving prowess firsthand. For special appointments or inquiries about custom work, you can text 860-309-6934 or email tina@tinasbaskets.com.


About Tina Puckett
Tina Puckett, a nationally acclaimed weaver of baskets and woven art, owns Tina’s Baskets at Whiting Mills in Winsted, Connecticut. Since 1981, she has been weaving her artistic magic using hand-dyed reeds, bittersweet, and various objects like beads or seagrass. Her work is showcased in galleries across the United States, and she often can be found weaving at her gallery/studio on weekends from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Custom orders are warmly welcomed, and appointments can be made by texting 860-309-6934.

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Basket Weaving Classes offered by Award Winning Artist – Tina Puckett At Her Studio

Tina Puckett, owner of Tina’s Baskets and Woven Art in Winsted, Connecticut is a nationally and internationally award-winning woven artist specializing in everything from intricate baskets and bowls to woven sculptures and wall hangings. Puckett has just announced that she is offering a series of year-round classes for teens and adults on Saturday and Sunday and on Monday and Friday nights. “There is a universal and enduring appeal of baskets and woven bowls. The sensation of making something with your hands from reeds and bittersweet vines is empowering, and I want to share that feeling in my classes,” says Puckett.

Learn from an award winning artist

The classes, which are suitable for all skill levels, are offered for up to six people as well as for individuals who want an intensive session. During the weaving session, Tina will share her knowledge about the history of basket weaving and what inspires her work. This hands-on experience provides participants with the basic techniques to create their very own basket or bowl, an understanding of this time-honored craft, as well as improving their understanding of the beauty of bittersweet and reeds. Among the many things that make these classes different is that participants will learn that weaving with bittersweet defines the character and shape of the basket or bowl transforming it into a woven piece of art.

Have fun making this bittersweet tray!

All classes take place in Tina’s atmospherically inspiring Studio at Whiting Mills in Winsted. Part of the fun of is to choose the type of basket or bowl you want to weave, your color palate, and how much time you want to spend weaving it. Participants can choose a class on Saturday or Sunday from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. or from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. Classes are also being offered Monday and Friday from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. All participants will leave the class with a finished basket or bowl to take home. All materials are provided including a piece of locally foraged bittersweet vine or a wooden hoop, and a choice of hand-colored, custom reeds. All classes are by advance reservation only and can be made by clicking https://www.tinasbaskets.com/classes

If you can’t make it to the studio, no worries, Tina is also offering classes via Zoom. Off-site classes are also available by special arrangement.

Learn how to make this colorful and useful basket

“I am excited to share what I know,” says Puckett. “It is a tradition that has been handed down through the centuries, in just about every culture around the world. Basketry weaving classes aren’t one of those things that are readily accessible to everybody, which is why I decided to offer classes year-round.”

About Tina’s Baskets

Tina Puckett is a nationally awarded weaver of baskets and woven art who is the owner of Tina’s Baskets which is located at Whiting Mills in Winsted, Connecticut. Tina has been weaving since 1981 using hand-dyed reeds, bittersweet, and a variety of objects like beads or seagrass. Her work is showcased at a variety of galleries across the United States as well as at her gallery/studio where you will often find her weaving on weekends from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Custom orders are accepted and appointments can be arranged by texting 860-309-6934.

JanetLeave a comment

Finger Weaving Workshop offers Native American Instruction @ Institute for American Indian Studies Sept. 23, 2023

Most archeologists believe that the art of basket making is one of the oldest crafts in the world. In Native American culture, baskets have always been an integral part of their material culture. For centuries Native Americans have relied on baskets for gathering, storing, preparing, and cooking food. Finger weaving is one of several techniques used among Eastern Woodland Indigenous peoples to make baskets as well as an array of decorative and ceremonial items.

Make a Native American Inspired Basket

On Saturday, September 23 at 1 p.m. the Institute for American Indian Studies at 38 Curtis Road in Washington Connecticut is holding a finger-weaving basket workshop, ideal for those who want to learn this traditional art form. “We think that experiences learning about cultural art forms is important because it gives people insight into Native American culture, “ said Chris Combs, Executive Director.

The focus of September’s class is on the art of finger weaving using natural fibers like jute and raffia. Participants will join Pokanoket Nation and Tribe member, Eva Newell of Cape Sable Island Wampanoag, Nauset, and Cree ancestry for this finger-weaving workshop.

The essence of finger weaving is that it is like an elaborate braid where you move the warp and weft threads with your fingers in order to create beautiful baskets. What makes finger weaving unique is that the same threads are used for both warp and weft; they just change places as you work. In this finger-weaving workshop, two of the most important things participants will learn are how to position their fingers and the best way to hold their hands. Each participant will take home a small finger woven traditionally inspired coil basket.

Have fun embellishing your basket

This workshop is recommended for those 12 and older because of the patience and dexterity required for this project. Space is limited and pre-registration is required. The cost of the workshop, which includes all materials, is $35 for non-members and $30 for members. To register visit http://iaismuseum.org, For questions, email events@iaismuseum.org.

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