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The Courtyard Oct 2026: a Handcraft Wellness Retreat

The Courtyard Oct 2026: a Handcraft Wellness Retreat

$120.00 USD
$120.00 USD
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*Have you ever noticed how time spent stitching quiets your mind?

*Are you curious about why stitching and making things by hand feels so deeply restorative - and wondered how to access more of that?

* Do you long for a full day to slow down, stitch, and be in the company of people who love making as much as you do?

I've been delighted to watch the growing body of research that is exploring the links between wellness and handcraft, and how the rhythmic, repetitive motion of making something with our hands activates the same neurological pathways as meditation, quieting mental noise and returning us to ourselves in ways that are genuinely good for our bodies and minds. This retreat is a day built around that idea. My goal is to inspire you with the new research, encourage you in your creative journey, and share the joy of communal crafting!

We'll gather in the Forest Room at the Hanai Foundation in Bend, starting out with an opening presentation on the science of handcraft and wellness. As we enjoy time handcrafting together throughout the remainder of the day, we'll intersperse three short sessions of guided meditative stitching (20 min each). We'll share a gluten-free Mediterranean lunch at midday. Partcipants will bring their own projects to work on (a goody bag will be involved because you know how I love a goody bag!). All makers are welcome: knitters, crocheters, embroiderers, and anyone whose craft travels with them and can fit on a table. 

When: 9am - 3:30p Sunday Oct 4 2026

As soon as you register, you'll receive a PDF with additional information about the day, including a guide to lodging in Central Oregon.

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Historically-inspired, modern-made!

Avlea Folk Embroidery brings ancient beauty to the modern world with beautiful folk embroidery kits of the finest quality. I design and make each kit by hand in my Central Oregon studio, to give you a wonderful stitching experience no matter your skill level.

Why is folk fabric so special?

Folk fabrics have been used for hundreds of years to make folk costumes and household embroideries. When you work a cross stitch design on them, they give your stitching a beautiful texture and are a delight to stitch on, plus they're made to stand up to daily use. I source mine from a 3rd-generation family mill in Athens, Greece so you can have an authentic stitching experience.

What if I'm new to cross stitch?

One of the wonderful things about cross stitch folk embroidery is that you can learn how to do it in a couple of hours and enjoy it for a lifetime! If you're new, watch my How To Cross Stitch video to get started on your folk embroidery journey.

How to videos

So, you've been stitching a while now?

I can't wait to share traditional folk embroidery with you! The intricate designs, the unique color palettes, the wonderful texture of folk fabrics will provide you with stitching joy. I suggest browsing my Runners & Squares sections as they have the most intricate designs to appeal to an experienced stitcher and every design is available as a kit or a PDF pattern.

Cross stitch runners & squares