(This workshop is now sold out)

This retreat promises to be memorable. The retreat will be co-hosted by Natasha Seidel  and Sarah Haycock and is set in Alentejo, one of the most beautiful and undeveloped regions of Portugal.  We will be staying at the beautiful cottages at Casa Caiadas surrounded by centennial cork and olive groves, meadows of wild flowers and a gurgling stream. 

Whilst it may be blissfully remote, the accomodation is still within easy reach of many beautiful towns, and only an hour away from the hustle and bustle of Lisbon.   We will enjoy day excursions to Lisbon and surrounding villages, allowing us the opportunity to absorb the culture and history of Portugal.  We will explore these areas with our cameras or phones in hand to capture the atmosphere and practice our creative storytelling.

Meals will be taken in local restaurants or be freshly prepared at our accommodation using locally grown and sourced ingredients. 

This is a region that has managed to retain its traditional crafts and slow paced way of life. Craftsmen and women and artisan makers tell a rich story about the country's culture and heritage, and their materials and techniques reflect the idiosyncratic climates and landscapes.  

We are delighted and privilaged to have Rosa Pomar, an inspiring Portuguese crafts historian,  guide us on a special tour exploring Portuguese crafts more intimately.  Rosa will introduce us to some of her favourite local artisan makers near Castro Verde, including a spinner, a weaver and a basket maker, within their workshops.  She will also take us to local antique dealers where we will have the opportunity to discover and purchase Portuguese antiques and artefacts.

Rosa has been researching and recording the sheep breeds and textile traditions of Portugal.  She is the author of 'Malhas Portuguesas' , a book that documents the history of Portuguese knitwear.  Rosa also owns a beautiful textile and yarn shop, Retrosaria Rosa Pomar,  in Lisbon which we will be visiting.  The shop produces and commissions its own small batches of distinctive, regional hand spun yarn. These are scoured, teased, carded and spun by hand in small villages.

Guests will also participate in two workshops during the retreat.

Sarah will invite you to explore your own creativity and artistry.  She will guide you, step by step at a relaxed pace through her beautifully curated kit for creating your own whimsical mobile.  Once completed , you will be left with a tactile reminder of your time away.

The second workshop will be hosted by Marie Jones. Marie is an accomplished crocheter and the co-founder of Crochet Artisan, a new contemporary crochet design magazine.  Marie will introduce you to basic crochet stitches and teach you how to make your own crochet accessories. 

WHO IS THIS RETREAT FOR?

This retreat is designed especially for those inspired by immersing themselves in the culture and heritage of another country through the food , crafts and landscapes.  There will be an emphasis on exploring and developing your own creativity through crafting and photography. The planned activities and excursions coupled with the luxurious accommodation will ensure that you leave feeling recharged and inspired.

HOW MUCH WILL IT COST AND WHATS INCLUDED?

The price for the 5 night retreat is £1800 per person sharing a double room with ensuite bathroom. ( you do not need to be travelling in pairs, you will be allocated a shared room and paired with other like minded guests).

A private room with ensuite facilities is £2200.

This includes airport transfers to and from Lisbon airport, accommodation, and all meals.  Workshops and materials are included in the price as well as excursions and tours. Guests also receive a selection of carefully sourced gifts.  

Flights are not included and guests are required to bring their own photography equipment. Space is limited to 8 guests only.

(This workshop is now sold out)

(This workshop is now sold out)

We will be staying at the grand, 5 star Assynt House, surrounded by woodland and rolling hills.  Guests will relax in the evenings and enjoy the sumptuous surroundings and excellent, freshly prepared meals.

Our days, however, promise to be full of adventure and opportunity to practice your photography and story telling techniques.  We will have excursions most days, with trips to the Isle of Skye and Loch Ness planned. We will also visit a local distillery for a tour and to sample their vintage whisky.

We are very fortunate to be joined by a number of inspiring  tutors on this retreat.

Catherine Frawley, (photographer; food stylist; recipe writer and blogger), will be sharing her food styling knowledge.  She will discuss the process of taking a successful food photograph, including composition and prop selection.  Attendees will have ample opportunity to take their photos and style their own image.

Kat Goldin, (crochet designer and author), will be teaching both beginners and advanced crochet skills.  Our days will be filled with chasing light and travelling, whilst our afternoons and evenings will be whiled away enjoying great food, inspiring company and crocheting.

Jeska Hearne, (stylist; photographer; writer and blogger), will talk us through her creative process. Jeska has successfully created a career and lifestyle which finds her travelling, and working with creative makers as the norm.  Jeska has a talent for telling a story aided by stunning photographs.

Dean Hearne,( photographer; designer), will teach us our to make the most of our travel photography and portray our travels on social media.  Dean will guide us in finding our own voice to tell our own story through photography.  There will also be an introduction to using Light Room for editing.

Who should attend this retreat?

Anyone interested in relaxing and being inspired. Do you enjoy travel and exploration?

Do you dream about forging a career as a maker, designer, photographer, writer or blogger?  Our guest tutors will be able to talk about their creative journey and how they have turned it into successful careers.

Join us on this next adventure.  You will have an unforgettable experience.

The price includes accommodation, meals, workshops and excursions and tours

All materials required for workshops is included in the price. (Participants are required to bring their own camera or phone)

Each guest will receive a carefully curated selection of gifts.

(This workshop is now sold out)

(This workshop is now sold out)

Join us on our last retreat for 2016 in beautiful Shaftesbury.  We will be staying at the idyllic Updown Cottage on Gold Hill (Hovis Hill) for the weekend.

It's going to be a cosy winter retreat where you will be immersed in creativity. On Saturday morning we will have a workshop on yarn dyeing methods. You will be introduced to a number of techniques and will have the opportunity to dye your own yarn. Saturday afternoon we will be learning how to knit Brioche with Renee from East London Knits.  Sunday morning we will be making candles with Amalia from The Botanical Candle Company.

We will be nestled by the fire in between workshops, enjoying freshly prepared meals and knitting and crocheting to our hearts content.  Shaftesbury is a beautiful village with many antique emporiums and coffee shops offering delicious huge scones and warming teas.  There will be ample time to explore the village in between workshops.

This is a great opportunity to relax, be inspired and socialise with other makers and creatives before the busy Christmas season begins.

Each attendee will also receive yarn and other lovely gifts.
The cost of the retreat is £450 per person

(This workshop is now sold out)

SOLD OUT - Sorry, this retreat is now sold out.

This retreat will take place from the 24th October to the 28th October (4 nights and 4 days). We will be joined by Dean and Jeska from The Future Kept for a celebration of these traditional yarn crafts.  

The accommodation is a gorgeous cabin surrounded by mountains and woods. The scenery is breathtaking.  There will be ample delicious, traditional Romanian food prepared fresh daily  with ingredients sourced locally.

Dean Hearne will be teaching photography and will show us the best way to capture the beauty of the surrounding area. Jeska Hearne will be at hand to share her styling tips.

Renee from East London Knits will be teaching us how to knit a top down sweater.

We will also learn how to spin and weave.

There will be time for knitting and socialising too. Although these workshops and activities are included in the price, you are free to participate as much as you would like, you are certainly not obliged to.

If you would like to read more about this retreat, please go to this blog post.

Price: £1500.  There is the option to book and pay in full, or to pay in two instalments.

Food and drinks are included in the price. Transfers and accommodation are included.  ( Flights are not included.) Each attendee will receive yarn to knit with at the retreat and a bag of awesome supplies..

SOLD OUT - Sorry, this retreat is now sold out.