October 13–22, 2026 | Murphy, North Carolina

“There is something about the mountains in October — the crisp air, the turning leaves, the quiet mornings wrapped in mist — that invites us to slow down and create from a deeper place.

I’m so excited to welcome you to Blue in the Mountains Fall Retreat, a ten-day immersive creative retreat held at the Wagonmaster Ranch Resort in the Blue Ridge Mountains of Western North Carolina.

For ten spacious days, we will gather in community to explore indigo dyeing, eco-printing, hand stitching, papermaking, book arts, and surface design while surrounded by the beauty of autumn in the mountains.

This retreat is intentionally slow, process-driven, and restorative. It is designed for those longing for meaningful creative time — hands-stained blue, quiet studio mornings, mountain hikes, shared meals, evening stitching circles, and the inspiration that happens naturally when artists gather together.

✨ Whether you are an experienced textile artist or simply seeking creative renewal, this retreat invites you to reconnect with making in a deeply personal way.”

A Ten-Day Immersive Creative Experience

This is not a rushed workshop schedule.

Blue in the Mountains is designed as an unfolding creative experience — allowing time for experimentation, reflection, conversation, rest, and independent exploration.

Throughout the retreat we will explore:

• Building and maintaining a natural indigo vat together

• Indigo dyeing and layered shibori techniques

• Eco-printing with seasonal botanicals

• Printing on leather

• Papermaking and simple bookbinding

• Slow stitching and surface embellishment

• Creating a traditional Japanese komebukuro rice pouch using your hand-dyed fabrics

• Combining natural dyes, rust, tannins, and layered surface design techniques

Techniques may overlap organically throughout the retreat. Indigo may meet eco-print. Stitching may become bookmaking. Cloth may evolve slowly over many days.

You may try everything.

Or focus deeply on one path.

There will be demonstrations, instruction, and support — but also generous space for independent work, curiosity, and creative play.

Guest Artists

We are honored to welcome:

Claudia Lee

Liberty Papermaking — Liberty, Tennessee

M. Theresa Brown

The Silk Thread — Raleigh, North Carolina

Both artists will share demonstrations, guidance, and inspiration throughout the retreat, helping create a richly layered experience rooted in process and exploration.

Japanese Forest Bathing & Creative Restoration

This retreat also incorporates the practice of Shinrin-yoku, or Japanese forest bathing.

Forest bathing is not exercise or hiking for performance. It is a mindful immersion in nature — slowing down enough to notice sound, texture, scent, movement, and light.

The mountains of Western North Carolina provide the perfect setting for this quiet practice of restoration and reflection.

We believe creativity flourishes when the nervous system softens and space is created for stillness.

This retreat is about more than learning techniques.

It is about reconnecting with yourself through nature, cloth, color, and handwork.

Evenings in the Mountains

Evenings are intentionally relaxed and communal.

Imagine:

• Campfires beneath the stars

• Community apple cobbler baking

• Quiet stitching circles

• Tea on the porch

• Slow conversations after a full day of making

Or perhaps simply solitude and rest.

This retreat honors individual rhythm

Planned Optional Excursions

Throughout the retreat, optional field experiences may include:

• Regional apple orchards during harvest season

• Local wineries

• Great Smoky Mountains Railroad fall foliage excursion

• Exploring Murphy, McCaysville, and Copperhill

• Mountain artisan shops and scenic drives

• tubing/ kayaking

These experiences are designed to inspire the creative process — not interrupt it.

Lodging & Meals

Lodging is not included.

A limited number of cabins are available onsite at Wagonmaster Ranch Resort, with additional nearby lodging options including cabins, inns, RV sites, and vacation rentals.

🍁 October is peak leaf season in the Blue Ridge Mountains, and early booking is strongly encouraged.

Included:

• Morning continental breakfast

• Shared community-style lunches- I will provide a salad, in the past people have brought items to share for lunch, a Japanese student made Japanese food one time, student from Italy made Italian Pasta dish, sometimes people bake in the evening.

• Daily workspace access and retreat activities

Not Included:

• Lodging accommodations

• Dinners

• Optional excursions

• Transportation

Lodging Suggestions:

North Carolina Lodging Suggestions→

Wagonmaster Ranch Resort:

Wagonmaster Ranch Resort→

Who This Retreat Is For

This retreat is ideal for:

• Textile artists

• Surface design artists

• Stitchers and slow makers

• Nature-inspired creatives

• Mixed media artists

• Those seeking creative renewal and restoration

• Anyone craving uninterrupted time to create in community

All skill levels are welcome.

The Spirit of Blue in the Mountains

Blue in the Mountains is about honoring the slow process.

It is about giving yourself permission to step away from urgency and reconnect with the quiet rhythm of making by hand.

Come ready to:

• Explore

• Experiment

• Layer

• Rest

• Learn

• Wander

• Create

And allow autumn in the Blue Ridge Mountains to guide your work.

✨ We would love for you to join us.

Register Here→

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