A Soulful Day of Making
Private Creative Retreats
A quiet, intentional space for women at a life threshold
West Asheville | 1–2 Days | Private or Small Group (1–3 women)
There are moments in life when a regular day isn’t enough.
When something is shifting, ending, or asking for your attention. When you don’t need advice or fixing, but time, space, and a way to listen more deeply to yourself.
These private creative retreats are for women who find themselves at one of those moments and want to mark it with intention, presence, and meaning.
This is not a craft class.
It’s a personally held retreat, shaped around where you are in your life right now, using intuitive making to slow down, listen, and respond.
The beginnings of a stick doll doll. (A sweet one-day project)
Who These Retreats Are For
Women come to these retreats when they are:
• navigating a transition or life change
• standing at the edge of a decision
• moving through grief, uncertainty, or reorientation
• longing for time alone without needing to perform or explain
• craving a grounded, creative way to reconnect with themselves
You do not need to arrive with clarity.
You do not need to know exactly what you’re making.
You only need a willingness to give yourself time—and to follow what emerges through your hands.
What Folks Are Saying…
“Stacy is a warm and patient teacher who supported each of us with kindness and skill. The supplies felt endless, and everyone left with a doll they loved.”
—Anet
The Shape of the Experience
These retreats take place in my quiet, light-filled home studio in West Asheville. Each one is scheduled intentionally and held with care, allowing space for conversation, silence, reflection, and creative exploration.
We begin slowly—with tea, conversation, and a gentle grounding process that helps you arrive fully and name what you’re carrying.
From there, the retreat unfolds intuitively. I guide you through an open, responsive creative process using natural materials such as sticks, wool, fibers, fabric, clay, and meaningful found objects. Nothing is pre-set. The work shapes itself in response to what you need and what you’re walking through.
Throughout our time together, I offer steady guidance, presence, and support—not to direct you, but to help you stay connected to your own inner knowing as the work emerges.
A beginner’s needle felted doll (A two-day project)
The Role of the Spirit Doll
During the retreat, you’ll create a Spirit Doll—a handmade companion formed through intention, attention, and story.
This is not about making something “right” or beautiful.
The doll becomes a vessel: a way to give form to what you’re carrying, honoring it without rushing it away.
Many women leave with a doll that becomes a touchstone—something to return to during moments of doubt, reflection, or transition. Others experience the making itself as the primary gift.
There is no expectation, no pressure, and no prior art experience required.
What You’ll Walk Away With
A Spirit Doll created through your own hands and story
A felt sense of grounding and clarity
A simple creative ritual you can return to
A meaningful way of marking a transition or threshold
Time spent in honest, nourishing, unhurried presence
Lunch and all materials are included. The days move at a comfortable, intuitive pace, with breaks to breathe, reflect, and rest.
One Day or Two Days: Choosing Your Rhythm
One-Day Retreat
A one-day retreat offers a focused, grounding experience. You’ll create a smaller Spirit Doll—often stick- or fabric-based—and leave with a clear sense of connection, steadiness, and presence. This option is well-suited for marking a moment, setting an intention, or gently listening in.
Two-Day Retreat
A two-day retreat allows for more spaciousness. With additional time, the creative process can deepen and unfold more slowly. This option supports more layered inner work and may include stitching, sculpting, or beginning a small needle-felted doll. Many women choose two days when they are at a significant crossroads or want time to fully inhabit the process.
Both options are held with the same care, privacy, and attentiveness.
A beginner’s needle felted doll (A two-day project)
Shared Reflections
“Thank you very much for your wisdom, artful spirit, and hospitality. I signed up for your class, hoping to spend a day using my hands and mind in ways that would challenge me to create something I had not experienced before. Your class offered me many options to choose from when considering my spirit doll, and with your encouragement and talent, it all came together — just as you anticipated. ”
— Shelley
“Spending a day making a doll with Stacy was such a delight. Intentionally connecting to spirit and bringing that light through artwork… there is nothing sweeter.”
— Darla
“I spent the day with Stacy making a spirit doll. She helped me sew a doll stuffed with prayers I wrote into little bundles. The spirit doll turned out lovely, and I keep her by my bedside to remind me of the love I felt while making her.“
— Joy Doyle MD
“The spirit doll workshop with Stacy was just what I needed to give myself a day of creativity and supportive company. She offered a clean, organized space and all the supplies so we could just show up. No artistic experience needed! Stacy paced and guided things well and offered support as our unique dolls all emerged. Highly recommend!“
— Andrea
Retreat Details
Location: West Asheville, NC
Group size: 1–3 women maximum
Cats live in my home. If you have pet allergies, please plan accordingly.
Pricing
One Day — $350
Two Days — $600
Pricing is per person and includes lunch and all materials.
Because these retreats are personal and intuitively shaped, dates are scheduled directly rather than booked on a calendar.
Ready to Begin?
If you feel drawn to this experience, I invite you to reach out and share a bit about what you’re seeking.
I’ll be in touch with availability, options, and next steps.
FAQ
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No. None. Zero. These retreats are designed for absolute beginners as well as seasoned creatives. Your hands will know what to do, and I’ll guide you every step of the way.
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Not at all. This is for anyone who’s curious, open, and ready to connect with their inner voice—no background required.
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That depends on the time you choose and what you’re drawn to.
A one-day retreat usually leads to a stick doll or small fabric-based doll.
A two-day retreat offers more spaciousness—perfect for stitching, sculpting, or even beginning a small needle-felted doll.
We’ll decide together once I hear what you’re hoping for. -
A one-day retreat is generally 10am–4pm, with breaks and lunch included.
Two-day retreats follow a similar rhythm each day.
There’s flexibility—we move at the pace your creativity needs. -
This class is designed for adults and is not suitable for children.
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In my home studio in West Asheville. It’s warm, inviting, and filled with beautiful materials to play with.
Just a heads-up: cats live with me, so please plan accordingly if you have allergies. -
All materials and tools
A private retreat experience with personal guidance
Tea, snacks, and a homemade lunch
Time for intention-setting and gentle inner work
A completed Spirit Doll to take home -
Yes. Retreats are for 1–2 people, with a maximum of 3. If you’d like to bring someone, just note that on your inquiry form.
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You don’t need to bring anything unless you want to include a personal item in your doll—such as a charm, piece of fabric, bead, or symbolic keepsake.
Comfortable clothes are recommended… we get a little linty. -
Yes. Once you submit your inquiry, we’ll coordinate schedules and find what works best.
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No. While the process is therapeutic and deeply nourishing, this isn’t therapy. It’s creative exploration, intuitive making, and personal insight through art.
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Yes. Just include that request in your inquiry and I’ll take care of it.
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If something comes up and you need to cancel, you’ll receive a full refund up to 5 days before the event. After that, refunds aren’t guaranteed unless your spot can be filled.
If you have other questions, you can contact me here.