where to start?

image by Linda Winski

Gosh ~ where do I start?!? I'm often left without words after an amazing experience and I'm finding myself, once again, somewhat speechless. I'm still absorbing the abundant goodness that happened at this year's Makerie and frankly still pinching myself that it all was real. When you dream up something in your mind and then realize you're actually living it, it feels like a once in a lifetime moment you want to hold onto forever. (I think I will!) They came from far and wide ~ 18 states and three countries ~ and brought their open minds, kind hearts and a willingness to play. Each person not only gave them self the precious gift of time, something that is often difficult to carve out of our everyday lives, but also gave themselves permission to feed their creative spirit.

I feel like I could write a novel filled with gratitude to everyone who helped make our Makerie weekend such a special experience. I hope they all know how immensely grateful I am for their love and support and felt the need to mention them one more time. Here goes!

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My remarkable family ~ My husband Chris for his constant support and belief in my dreams (not to mention impeccable efficiency and organization ~ oh my!). My wee ones Owen and Mia for making my love for creativity stronger every single day. You should have seen their faces light up when I gave them a tour of the classes! I loved that so much. To Jim and Joyce, my sweet in-laws for coming into town to be with my babes. My mother-in-law even took a letterpress class and I've never seen her so proud of something she had made. Aunt Sue (from Bali!) for her errand running and being the pinch hitter all weekend. And my mom ~ oh my precious mom ~ for truly being in this together with me in every single way. She did more than you will ever know behind the scenes and her photographs of the weekend are gorgeous. Wait 'til you see! 

Terrific Teachers ~ Aran, Alex, Allison, Flora, Jenny, Liesl & Marisa ~ worked extremely hard to provide everyone with fabulous workshops and loads of inspiration. It was an awesome team and I feel so honored they believed in this little event of ours enough to want to be a part of it. I'm quite humbled to now consider us all dear friends.

Volunteers ~ Well if I could stand on a rooftop and shout 'thank you's' all week long, I would! I just can't get over the outpouring of support we had this year. The Makerie certainly wouldn't have been what it was with out the help of SO many sweet souls. Laura Kuhn, Kara Lundquist & Emily Clark were absolutely a dream to work with and the countless other volunteers who assisted teachers, baked Aran's cookies & Lillabee brownies, ran things from place to place, wrote signs, unpacked boxes, packed boxes, tidied up... oh I could go on forever... But what I cherished the most about our volunteers is that they made everyone feel loved and at the end of the day, I'm most grateful for that! 

Photography & video crew ~ I couldn't imagine a better way to capture the weekend with a more dedicated, talented team. Teryn Wilkes, Julia Vandenoever, Kevin Von Qualen & of course, my amazing mom Linda Winski came away with stunning images from every aspect of the Makerie. I feel so lucky that we now have this wonderful weekend documented in the most beautiful way. Did you all see the iPad slideshow we had at our booth at the Firefly Handmade Makerie Market? It was stunning and a huge thanks to Teryn for putting it together in lighting fast time! 

Super Supporters ~ Old Glory Antiques, Firefly Handmade, Fancy Tiger, Janome & Sew Vac, Fiskateers, Yoga Junction, Julia Vandenoever Photography, Launch Grow Joy, Joyfolie and Blue Heron Arts for their tremendous contributions to the Makerie. 

Yummy Meals ~ Comida, with their bright pink truck, was a wonderful way to kick off the weekend serving fresh, local and totally delicious Mexcian food. Eat Private Chef & Catering Co. who not only provided the most adorable boxed lunches we've ever seen, but gave us a true experience discovering and unwrapping each sweet surprise. And how delectable were our delightful Dish Gourmet lunches? Little did you know they ran to their shop and back lickity split for a special meal request we had mistakingly forgotten! Such awesome customer service! We loved our family style meals at the Chautauqua Dining Hall and the chef even served some dishes inspired by Aran (ahem... the arugula/fennel salad!). MM Local provided some fantastic local treats, while fresh coffee and chai from Vic's and warm muffins and scones from Whole Foods on Sunday morning felt like the perfect way to end the weekend. It was such a delight working with local companies we love, that's for sure! And while we're on the topic of food, someone even suggested putting together a Makerie cookbook. Wouldn't that be fun?

Our Cozy Creative Lounge ~ It was a huge hit all around. I'm so excited we now have the most inspiring Makerie library to share with everyone year after year! 

Colorado Chautauqua ~ How lucky we are to host this event in a most magical, peaceful and beautiful place. 

Our participants ~ Thank you from the bottom of my heart for taking a leap of faith to come. I adored meeting every single person. Always remember how uniquely creative you are and the abundant gifts you have to share with the world!

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The energy over the weekend was contagious ~ full of possibilities, connection, community and love. Making creativity a priority does that, I'm more and more convinced. So here's to you, here's to creativity and to another magical Makerie.

THANK YOU!

Much Love,
Ali

it's here ~ creative pilgrimage!

We shared a few months ago that we were featured in a book (yes, a real book called Creative Pilgrimage!). Well it just arrived in the mail and to see it actually in print was quite a fantastic feeling. Never in a million years did I think our new little event would be part of a book, let alone a totally gorgeous one! To be in the same publication alongside amazing retreats across the county and incredibly inspiring artists and their projects has left me over the moon with excitement and quite frankly, disbelief!

The book not only shares many wonderful opportunities for creative retreating, but also features a plethora of fantastic projects and tutorials by the very special souls who teach at these events ~ Flora, Maya & Sarah just to name a few. It's really a remarkable combination that Jenny Doh has put together and I highly recommend checking it out! Of the many things I love about Creative Pilgrimage, one of the things I cherish the most is that my mom's photographs appear in our feature and her name ~ Linda Winski ~ is even in the credits! We have always talked about how neat it would be do a project together and low and behold, here were are. (For those of you coming to the retreat this spring, keep an eye out for her. She'll be the beautiful little ball of energy wandering around with a camera strapped on her shoulder.)

What really says it best is the most lovely dedication by author Jenny Doh. I've shared it below.

"I dedicate this book to the courageous spirit of discovery within us all ~ the spirit that helps us put aside our insecurities and imperfections as we take a leap of faith in our quest to learn, to teach, to grow. May this book remind us that the time will never be perfect, but the time will always be now, to embark on pilgrimages both big and small." 

With enormous gratitude to Jenny for believing in the Makerie enough to include us in Creative Pilgrimage. It's certainly a dream come true.  

xo