Coming to Cedar Falls September 27-29, 2019

Are you a creative soul but can never seem to find the time to create? Is your Pinterest board full of projects you love, but lack the courage or know-how to try? Or maybe you’re craving a fun getaway with some of your closest friends.

This ain’t your momma’s craft retreat…get ready to unwind, untap your potential and create a better you!

create{her} CF is a creative retreat that will empower you to take the leap into becoming the maker you’ve always wanted to be. During this three-day retreat we’ll work through several projects, using every tool in the box – from drills to sewing. You’ll also gain inspiration from a number of creative speakers – both locally and nationally known. This year we welcome Karen E. Laine as our keynote speaker! You may recognize her from HGTVs hit series, Good Bones, where she rehabs in her neighborhood near downtown Indianapolis. A retired attorney, she brings legal expertise, community-mindfulness and spirited enthusiasm to the unique mother-daughter home-renovation team that includes her daughter, Mina Starsiak. We can’t wait for her to share her story with you!

Register Now

 

||THE SCENE||
Set in the historic downtown district of Cedar Falls, Iowa – we’re leaving plenty of time for fun and relaxation. We are proud to say our community is one of 50 in the state with a Main Street Iowa distinction. You’ll have time to enjoy the local Farmer’s Market, peruse locally-owned shops, feast at delicious restaurants and experience the nightlife downtown has to offer.

Our large-group projects will be held on the 3rd floor of the Oster Regent Theatre. This historic downtown theatre first opened in 1910 and is now home to the Cedar Falls Community Theatre. Smaller breakout sessions will gather at two downtown hubs for creativity.

Fig & Frolic’s quirky style is bound to make you smile! The shop is located just off Main Street at 114 W. 5th Street and is co-owned by mother-daughter team Jenny Boevers and Becky Hiatt. The pair are also stockists for Chalk Paint® by Annie Sloan and offer several Craft Market Nights at their shop throughout the year. Jenny is one of our instructors, and is an expert in all things paint and color theory!

Hatchlings & Hens, located at 602 State Street is home to a make & take craft studio where owner, Katie Bjerke, hosts several classes and private parties throughout the year. The shop also features handmade goods that are locally sourced. Katie is also one of the weekend’s instructors and is an expert in textiles and multi-media projects.

||SCHEDULE||
Friday
6-9:00 p.m.
We’ll kick things off right with a registration and opening reception. Meet our speakers up close and personal while you enjoy drinks and light hors d’oeuvres from a local restaurant. A small DIY project to commemorate the weekend will get our creative juices flowing.

Saturday
8:30 a.m. – 6:00 p.m.
Be sure to get plenty of rest, because Saturday is a full day of creating! We’ll gather for a continental breakfast, then work through four projects throughout the day that will hone your skills as a maker.

No after lunch lull here – the day will culminate with our keynote speaker, Karen E. Laine. An attorney, mother of four, gardener and crafter, she is working on being semi-retired, but can’t seem to find the time for it. Karen enjoyed working as a deputy prosecutor and then running her own law practice, until, after rehabbing a house with her daughter, she discovered a skill set and a passion for neighborhood rehabilitation. We know her expertise in real estate development, making houses happy again, and her long winding road to finding her passion will inspire you to take the leap head first into life!

After sharing her story, Karen will join us in the afternoon for hands-on help as we wrap up our projects. Saturday night we’ll gather for cocktails and appetizers to unwind from a hard day’s work!

Sunday
8:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m.
The day will officially kick-off with a large-group project bringing it all together! Sunday afternoon will allow time for self-guided exploration and/or reflection.

If the weekend has really gotten the wheels turning and you’re thinking your creativity could earn you a paycheck, we’ll have a special panel available during this time for a Q&A session. Hear from makers & shakers: Kay Boyer (The Shop Iowa City), Megan Wright (Instagram Influencer), Allyson Schwab (Allyson Schwab Photography), Dawn Backes (NEI Architectural Salvage and Skräp Work), Kassidy Tassendorf (Lotus & Lou Interiors), and Ashley Craft (The Junkery).

 

 

||THE PROJECTS||
* Learn how to make your own grazing board including a leather strap
* Learn culinary skills to pair foods that will transform your grazing board into a centerpiece for Sunday brunch
* Learn how to build a wooden lantern using basic power tools
* Learn how to combine concrete and wax into a modern pillar candle
* Learn the art of embroidery as we create home state hoop art
* Learn the skill of floral arranging to create a fresh floral bouquet in a birch wood pot
* Learn how to repurpose an old key and manipulate leather into a fashionable pendant necklace
* And we have a few more surprises up our sleeves! Trust us when we say you don’t want to miss this!

||THE PACKAGES||
So you want us to give it to you straight?! Here’s a rundown of everything that is included in our packages:

Weekend Registration
* Supplies/materials for (7) major projects
* A goodie bag valued at over $50
* Thursday night reception and cocktails
* Saturday morning Cup of Joe breakfast
* Saturday night cocktails
* Downtown Dining Dollars for you to use as you wish
* Tshirt and handmade necklace commemorating the weekend
* Saturday keynote address
* Participation in a permanent community art project
* A panel of curated and engaging speakers for Sunday Q&A

Day Maker Option
Can’t join us for the whole weekend? We’d still love for you to experience part of the fun! This registration option is for Saturday only and includes:
* Supplies/materials for (4) projects: 
        – Grazing Board
        – Lantern
        – Home State Embroidery Hoop
        – Floral Arranging Class 
* Keynote address

Register using your PayPal Account or major credit card.