Making Zen: Making Time for Creativity
Sep 30, 2025
Life has a way of filling up fast. Between responsibilities, endless to-do lists, and the constant noise of the world, creativity can so easily slip to the bottom of the pile. But can you imagine what would it feel like to carve out even a small pocket of time just for you, your imagination, your joy?
Making something isn’t just about producing a finished piece, though we can often convince ourselves that it is. In reality, it's not about the result we walk away with (though that's often a nice bonus!) - it’s really about slowing down, breathing deeply, and giving yourself the gift of presence. I hear it from community members all the time that creativity can be a balm for the soul: it soothes stress, sparks new ideas, and connects us to both ourselves and the wider world.
When we take time to make, even in small ways, something shifts, and we can begin to feel the benefits almost immediately. I know for me, I reap the rewards:
- Stress melts away. Creative work brings us into the moment, gently quieting the mind.
- Self-expression. Every stitch carries a unique story, and only you can tell yours.
- Connection. Sharing our creativity helps us feel part of something bigger, especially when we create with community.
- Purpose. I am called to mending, upcycling, and handmade projects that remind me of the beauty in sustainability and care. Consider what you are called to create!
That’s what Making Zen is all about: making space for creativity, with 30 workshops designed to inspire you. It's happening from 27-31 October 2025, and whether you want to learn a new skill, learn to embrace your artistic intuition, or simply enjoy a mindful moment, there’s a path for you.
We love to include something for everyone, so you can find one workshop in each of these themes on each day of the retreat:
With these workshops, you can explore new techniques to help you add depth, texture, and play to your stitching skillset.
- Monday: Upcycled Denim Pocket Bag with me, Kate Ward
- Tuesday: Hand-stitched Red Poppies with 3D Elements with Darcy Hunter
- Wednesday: Wear It Again: Creative Repair with Decorative Stitches with Isabel Wilder
- Thursday: Snip and Stitch Lavender Bags with Karen Lewis
- Friday: Embroidered Jeans with Kasia Jacquot
These are stitching workshops that walk you through a project to create something of your own.
- Monday: Honey Folk Mini Button & Loop Pouch with Heidi Iverson
- Tuesday: Mindful Embroidered Mandalas with Donna Davies
- Wednesday: The Art of the Tiny Treasure: Create a Stitched Amulet Necklace with Kristin Peterson
- Thursday: Hand Embroidered Rose Earrings with Lauren Weber
- Friday: Stitched Bird Brooches with Michelle Hamill
In this category, you'll find workshops that encourage you to trust your gut feeling and make art intuitively.
- Monday: Textured Snippet Roll with Brooke (BB) Henry
- Tuesday: Fabric Tales: Creating Mini Fabric Visual Journals with Rakefet Hadar
- Wednesday: Playful Studies in Shape and Stitch with Rebekah Johnston
- Thursday: Mini Improv Fiber Art Collage with Shannon Fraser
- Friday: Creative Sparks: 5-Minute Art Experiments for Makers with Cynthia Hauk
Think outside of the box with workshops that will have you combining mediums & methods.
- Monday: Stitched Creatures with Amanda Trought
- Tuesday: Garbage Garlands and Other Garlands with Deborah Fisher
- Wednesday: Zen Clay and Stitched Mixed Media Mandala with Kira McCoy
- Thursday: Feeling Stabby, Finding Calm: Stitch the Gentle Gourd with Nichole Vogelsinger
- Friday: Stitching the Sacred: Protective Sigils & Personalized Symbols with Kiala Givehand
Dive deeper into the world of textiles with these workshops on hooking, dyeing, macrame, weaving, & repair.
- Monday: Rug Hooking: The Hit and Miss Tradition with Deanne Fitzpatrick
- Tuesday: Cyanotype Printing on Fabric with Madge Evers
- Wednesday: Macrame Butterfly with Mikaela Szumigraj (String Theories Fiber Design)
- Thursday: Microweaves for Darning with Skye Pennant
- Friday: Handwoven Charms: Mini Makes for Mindful Moments with Ellie Fisher
These workshops explore art beyond the realm of textiles and into papercraft!
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Monday: Fine Line Flowers with Amy Maricle
- Tuesday: Geometric Photo Embroidery with Clarissa Grandi
- Wednesday: A Trio of Woven Paper Note Cards with Helen Hiebert
- Thursday: Animated, Mechanical Cards with Kelli Anderson
- Friday: Paper in Motion: Create a Geometric Mobile with Paula Hartmann
That's a lot of variety, and the intention is not to stress you out with it. In fact, each workshop is an invitation to try something new, make something meaningful, and rekindle your creative spark. I like to recommend picking out the workshops that are on your absolute must-see list, and planning your Making Zen experience around those. That way, if you run out of time during the free event, you're sure to catch the workshops you're most interested in!
Of course, you can always upgrade to the VIP Pass for lifetime access to the workshops, so that you don't have to choose!
The best part of it all is that creativity doesn’t require hours of your day. These workshops are almost all under an hour in length, and to be honest, even 10 minutes with thread, paper, or fabric can bring you back to yourself. Making Zen’s workshops are designed to be approachable and flexible, so that you can dip your toe in wherever curiosity leads you.
I would love for you to consider this your gentle reminder that your creativity matters. It doesn’t need to wait for the “right time.” The right time is whenever you give yourself permission to begin.
Join us for Making Zen, a five-day online retreat filled with inspiration, connection, and joy. You’ll come away with beautiful projects, refreshed energy, and the simple reminder that creativity truly belongs in your everyday life. You can sign up for free here!
