October 7, 2011

Retreat Goodies

I can not even tell you how much fun I had at my retreat.  Can I do that 2 or 3 times a year?  Yeah, that would awesome.  It was the perfect weekend.  I can't remember how many times I relished the perfect moment!  But before the fun began I had spent a good month getting ready.  First up are the gift bags - what's an event without a little swag?  My aunt found the perfect bags for me - isn't she sweet!

Along with a copy of my book everyone received an issue of Bead Unique Magazine.

I put together little necklace kits featuring a Vintaj dragonfly pendant, silk ribbon, waxed linen, seed beads and a Humblebeads disk.  

Marie from MoreSkyeJewels gave everyone an awesome bird pendant - they are really amazing!!!  

My friend Angela Brittain donated silk dupioni cord in rich colors.  

Everyone was treated to Simple Truths pendants created by Erin Prais-Hintz.  She made a special one for each theme of the book: Woodland, Garden and Sea.  

And then people surprised us with extra goodies like forged and etched metal charms from Mary Newton.  

Other goodies were shared from our participants like nautical sketchbooks from Linda, shells from Terri  and tiny hummingbirds from Royelle.  It didn't take us long to warm up and we were soon making new friends and having fun reconnecting with those we already knew.


Along with preparing the gift bags, there were kits to assembly.  This was part of my Birds of a Feather class and Poetry & Beads workshop.


I filled each kit with with a Humblebeads egg, stones, a Green Girl Studio bead or pendant and charm from Pulga N Pansas.  The beads were put together with a poem and I broke everyone up into to small groups to brainstorm on how to translate their poem into beads.

Here are some of the finished pieces from the nest class and workshop.  It was fun to see how different everyone made their final pieces based on what they thought of the poem.




More kit goodness!  This was from the color workshop we did before we made our bracelets on Saturday afternoon.  Everyone was able to explore color theory as they picked the components for their bracelets.

Here everyone is showing off their finished work.  Some students had never created with seed beads and thread before.  Everyone rose to the challenge and most had their bracelet ready to sport the following day!  This is a project featured in my book.

I had students from all over the country.  Some had never made jewelry before, others had been creating with beads for years and years.  We had a great group, everyone was encouraging and loved sharing their inspirations.  Here we are during our walk in the woods. 

And my lovely bracelet models showing off their creations after a weekend of fun that flew by all too quickly.

I loved doing the retreat.  In fact, I'm already starting to plan a spring one.  And I have a one day holiday workshop that I am planning and I'm toying around with another class idea that's doing cart wheels in my head.  I could get used to this!  I would love to teach classes and workshops on a regular basis.  I love seeing that spark of inspiration set in as a I student discovers their creativity!

Before I go I must thank my three awesome helpers - that includes my Mom, my Aunt Rosanne and my very dear friend Erin Prais-Hintz.  They were the best!


16 comments:

KristiBowmanDesign said...

Oh my I'm so jealous, I bet you all had so so much fun!!! Those treat bags are so pretty, you're right your aunt found the perfect bags. Wonderful to read all about it, thank you!!

Alice said...

Like Kristi, I'm jealous. But it sounds like there will be other wonderful retreats, and I hope to be able to make one someday.

somethingunique said...

Hi Heather, diddo me too i wish i could have been there...i can tell you though i have purchased many many bead books in my bead journey but your book is by far the best of them all i just love it so many interchangeable creations and i am sure it will be on my bead table many times. thank -you :)
ttfn Lana :)

Kathleen Lange Klik said...

Looks like a really amazing time of being inspired and making new friends-what a perfect weekend! Those goody bags are awesome, oh how I hate that I had to miss it. I wanted to attend your retreat so badly but I had to prepare for an arts festival. I am excited that you are planning one for spring! Sign me up! I second the comment by "somethingunique", your book is by far the most inspiring and beautiful bead book that I own!

quickcer said...

Looks like the retreat was a blast. Happy you enjoyed teaching and sharing your most favorite place in the world--Michigan. Can't wait to see your newest creations.

Loris Glassworks said...

I'm so envious, I wish I could have joined you. I love the nest projects, fabulous! Thanks for sharing. Cheers!
Lori

lynsey said...

What a wonderful time you had, and such lovely creations from every one

TesoriTrovati said...

The weekend was so wonderful and there is no place that I would have rather been than with my friend Heather in the perfect seaside location, sampling the best of the season, forging new relationships and making jewelry. I cannot wait until the spring retreat and all the rest. You did the most amazing job and I am not surprised as everything you do is done with great attention to detail and much love.

Enjoy the day!

xo

E

Beverly Herman said...

Inspiration, creativity, learning new skills and making new friends this retreat covered it all. Your approach to guiding us to see the world around us and incorporating it into our jewelry designs was awesome. You are the best!

Cindi said...

Well at least I am not the only one that is jealous. Fellowship, making jewelry, learning new stuff. All of that is awesome enough but then all those incredible goodies!!!! And here I sit in SC, one bead shop and limited classes at that. Anytme you would like to come to Greenville SC I will be glad to host the retreat.

Lisa said...

Love everything you've shown us here. How wonderful it must have been to participate and learn and create in such an inspiring atmosphere! Would love to do that one day as the closest bead store with classes to me is 2 hrs away. Online shopping is my venue and surfing jewelry blogs and websites is my eye candy and inspiration! Have a wonderful weekend!!

Riki Schumacher said...

Oh, it looks like you all had so much fun, great job Heather! Riki

Thoughtfulhands said...

That sounds like soooooooo much fun. I love all the bracelets that was one of the projects I really had my eyes on to make from your book, which I love, love, love.

Great job ladies

Theresa

Mary K. McGraw said...

All of Heather's preparation led to a truly wonderful retreat. Her giving nature was evident in everything she touched. The pictures do not do justice to the goodies we received and the inspiration she provided for us all.
And if you have never been to South Haven you need to go there sometime.

Marie Cramp said...

I swear I am sooo going to go to one of these retreats of yours! I am just dying to meet new people and have fun creating! Save me a spot sometime ;)

Silver Jewelry Jaipur said...

wow what a work good post