Meet Our Teaching Artists
At The Craftery, we believe in the power of creativity and community. Our talented team is here to guide you through every step of your crafting journey, whether you're a beginner or an experienced artisan.
Tree Callanan
Owner + Weaver + Stitcher
Tree Callanan has been stitching together one thing or another since she was a ten year old girl in 4H Club. Following in her mother's footsteps she began sewing and needlecrafting. Always obsessed with textiles, she yearned to weave. During the pandemic she took classes with master weaver Linda Rhynard. Later, she had the good fortune to be "ready for the luck" when friend Mary Dondero pointed her in the direction of four lovely (and free!) large floor looms. And that, my friends, was the beginning of The Craftery!
Anna Amoiradaki
Maker of Books, Garments and Prose
Anna Amoiradaki is a writer, bookbinder, and textile artist with a background spanning Economics (UCL) and studio arts (RISD continuing education). After honing her sewing craft at Patti Barnatt’s West Side Sewing Studio and spending years making books, garments, and prose, she launched Khiton (pronounced Kheeton), a magazine celebrating craft and slow living. Anna brings an easygoing, hands-on, and real-world approach to teaching traditional arts.
Wendy Anctil
Fiber and Mixed Media
Wendy is from East Providence, RI, and is a self-taught fiber artist. She became obsessed with learning everything she could about wool felting after attending a class on basic needle felting in 2019. She's been teaching students since 2020, and no matter your experience, she can help you create beautiful and unique works of art with some fluffy fibers and a needle. Or take a class with her on wet felting- it’s a bit of a workout, but it is super fun!
Liz Bessel
Artist, Obsessed Artist
I’m Liz and I am obsessed with stitching by hand. I offer kits, workshops (online and in person) and would love to offer my personal services as your official slow stitching cheerleader. All that really matters is that you are enjoying what you are stitching, and more often than not, have a smile on your face while the needle is in your hand.
Elwood Donnelly
Basketmaker + Folk Singer
Elwood Donnelly is a Rhode Island–based traditional basket maker who has practiced the craft since 1998. He began his training at the John C. Campbell Folk School. He has since developed his skills through years of hands-on work, teaching students of all ages, and creating functional, beautifully crafted baskets for everyday use. Alongside his work as a basket maker, Elwood is also a longtime traditional folk singer and musician, bringing a deep appreciation for heritage arts to both his music and craft.
Donna Fiore
Spindle, Needle, & Hook Artist
Fiber artist Donna Fiore has been knitting and crocheting since she was 7 years old. Over the years
she learned to spin yarn from raw fiber, dye yarn, weave on a rigid heddle loom and sew. “A life
without crafts is a boring place
to be”, so she has a passion for teaching others how to create with fiber. She resides in Tiverton with her two pups and lots of fiber.
Hayley Perry
Artist, Hooker...Rug Hooker!
Hayley Perry is a painter and mixed media artist from Southeastern, Massachusetts. Hayley graduated with her BFA from Montserrat College of Art in 2006 and received her MFA degree from the College of Visual and Performing Arts at UMASS Dartmouth in 2011.
Liz Ripley
Resident Jill of All Trades!
Liz Ripley has spent nearly 20 years accumulating textile arts like pokemon, learning crochet from her mom, knitting from her grandma, and a whole lot more from the internet. During her studies into textile and fashion history she became focused on ancient crafts, specifically lace and fancywork. She firmly believes that each stitch taken builds upon a long history of dedicated craftspeople who have kept so many techniques from becoming lost to attic corners and history.
Rebecca Siemering
Fiber Artist + Sculptress
Rebecca Siemering is a Pawtucket, Rhode Island-based installation and fiber artist, curator, and arts administrator. Her work frequently centers on the transformation of "ephemera" and found materials into intricate sculptures and textile art. She specialized in fiber-based sculptures, paper art, and white line prints. Recently, she has expanded into traditional broom and brush making, creating functional art pieces.
