Craft & making in the rolling hills of Devon
Guest blog post by Mari Balsama Wilson. Mari is a journalist and co-founder of Made On Holiday, a small family business focused on creative retreats. Since her young son became more independent she has started nurturing what she called her baby no. 2. Her business is what she is: a curious and friendly woman eager to share and connect with like-minded people.
A retreat to plant the seeds of creativity and growth. A place where to craft and make new friends. With this in mind,Made On Holiday has collected a selection of textiles and embroidery workshops in Devon. Each course is led by a skilled craft artist who will introduce the participant to the secret of textiles, using vintage fabric, independent yarn and contemporary feel.
Artists are coming from as far as from Argentina, in the case of Adriana Torres, also known as Miga de Pan or from London like Allison & Rachel from Yarn in the City. While textiles expert Anne Kelly will travel to Devon from Sussex to show us to the magic of her Folk Tales workshop, based on nature and birds. Always with an eye to the great old days, Cornish-based Poppy Treffry will amaze with her Singer sewing Machines… a joy for the eyes.
Embroidery and Fabric and colours will be the main characters of these crafted courses in the rolling hills of Devon. Food will be local and earthy to keep nurturing the soul at the same level of the spirit of the gathering and the making.
The selected locations are all cozy, some grade II listed properties, at the edge of woods, allowing walks and exploring while having a break from a colourful programme of craft and making. Craft as a meditative path to quiet our minds, deepen our breath and fill our souls. Women (mostly) that are happy to leave the daily life routine behind for a three days’ and two nights’ retreat in Devon, to learn a new skill, retreat into the connection of each other, our craft and the natural setting around us.
Made On Holiday promotes gathering for like-minded people interested in learning a new craft or to further their skills. The desire for connection and a moment of pause in our lives, a desire for new skills taught in real-time is what is brings you here together in the first place. At the end, the participant will leave with a suitcase full of creativity, ideas and a handmade creation: a wonderful gift.
Read more about their residential retreats on their website: Made On Holiday