May in the studio
Creative workshops, events, and a handmade swap in Beacon, NY this May. A look at what’s happening in the studio and what’s coming this summer.
Spring has been a bit of a reset in the studio. We’ve been paying attention to what’s resonating, what’s not, and where people are craving more connection and time to make.
This month, we’re leaning into that — with a mix of workshops, new events, and a few things we’re trying for the first time.
If you’re local to Beacon or just passing through, it’s a nice time to join us.
What We’re Trying
We’re starting to bring back community events in a slightly different way.
After trying a few formats that didn’t quite land, we’re experimenting again — this time with something more playful, more interactive, and more consistent.
We’re introducing our first That Handmade Swap on May 31.
The idea is simple — bring something you’ve made (soap, baked goods, small artworks, anything handmade) and swap it with others.
We’re planning to make this a seasonal series:
a handmade swap to start
a book swap on Aug 5
a recipe swap on Nov 1
and on Jan 3, a chance to swap that gift you got but can’t return
It’s a different way to gather — less about making something from scratch, and more about sharing what you’ve already have.
World Collage Day: A Collage Party
To celebrate World Collage Day, we’re hosting a Collage Party — but not in the usual way.
Instead of everyone staying in one place, we’re turning it into something more like musical chairs, but with collage.
Over the course of two hours, you’ll move around the room, adding to different pieces, building on what someone else started, and letting go of the idea that you need to “finish” anything on your own.
It’s meant to be a little unexpected, a little collaborative, and a lot more fun.
Upcoming workshops we’re excited about (a little peek at what’s coming this summer)
Drawing for the Petrified
If you’ve been wanting to draw but feel hesitant, this one is designed to take the pressure off and give you a way in.
Heirloom Handbrooms
A hands-on workshop where you’ll learn traditional techniques to create a beautiful, functional broom to take home.
Loom Weaving with Botanicals (with Courtney Salerno)
Courtney is back, guiding you step by step in creating a woven piece using natural materials in a relaxed, supportive setting.
Stained Glass Workshop
Learn the fundamentals of stained glass and leave with your own handmade piece — equal parts process and play.
Looking Ahead to Summer
We’re also putting the finishing touches on our summer schedule.
We’re getting even more hands-on with stained glass, exploring coil basketry, and natural dyeing. We’re also expanding our watercolor offerings — with workshops on weekday evenings, weekday afternoons, and weekends — so there are more opportunities to find a time that works for you.
Why This Matters
One thing we keep coming back to is how easy it is to let creativity fall to the bottom of the list.
Having something on the calendar — even just a couple of hours — can shift that.
Whether you’re local or just visiting Beacon, it’s a nice way to spend a few hours doing something different.
You can see the full schedule and sign up here.
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Why I Designed That Creative Retreat
I designed this creative retreat after experiencing burnout and realizing how little time I was giving myself to actually make. Inspired by travel, a collage retreat in Scotland, and working with students in the studio, this experience is built to offer both structure and space. Whether you’re new to creativity or returning to it, it’s a chance to step away from your everyday and reconnect with making in a meaningful way.
Burnout and wanting something more
A few years ago, I was burnt out.
I was managing creative projects, managing people, constantly moving from one thing to the next — and not really doing anything for myself. I was surrounded by creativity, but not actually in it.
Traveling and experiencing a place differently
At the same time, one thing I’ve always loved is traveling.
Whether it’s Europe or the next town over, I’m curious about the place itself — its history, what makes it feel the way it does. I love trying new things, and whenever I can, I’ll take a class or workshop wherever I am. It’s one of my favorite ways to experience a place.
The retreat experience that stayed with me
About four years ago, I went on a collage retreat in Scotland.
One of the core ideas we explored was “sense of place.” It could be the physical location, the landscape, your internal world, or some combination of all of it. We used that as the starting point for a collage we created and shared at the end of five days.
That experience stayed with me.
Designing a retreat with intention
When I started thinking about creating a retreat for the studio, I knew I didn’t want it to feel overpacked or rigid.
I wanted it to feel inspiring, but also spacious. Structured, but flexible.
In many ways, I approached it the same way I designed the studio — creating something that can equally serve someone just starting out and someone with an established creative practice.
Creating space for different ways of showing up
As an introvert, I usually need time on my own to reset.
So I wanted to design something that gives people that flexibility — to do more when they want to, and less when they need to.
Who this retreat is really for
This retreat isn’t just for the burnt out city person who needs an escape.
It’s for anyone — even if you’re local to Beacon — who wants to step away from their everyday and refuel that part of themselves that’s been craving more creativity.
The future vision
My hope for this retreat is that this is just the start of an offering that can be put out seasonally. Not only as a 5 days experience but also to offer mini versions (1-2 days) for those people who just can’t get away for a week.