We always gather for our group photo!
Folks help with food prep and cleanup
The weekend of May 3, 2013 was the 12th annual beadmaking Cabin Retreat in Big Rapids, Michigan. Beadmakers have come from as far away as Hawaii and Alaska previously. This year the retreat was four days or three days. I arrived on Friday after lunch. We found the group enameling copper when we got there.
I drove to Big Rapids with my friend Sharlyn (from Texas) for the 3 day experience. It is so much fun as different folks will teach a class on things like making copper bangles, enameling, felting, wire wrapping, etc. We all have certain expertise and we share. And of course there is the big setup of torches and kilns for beadmaking. Beadmaking can go on all night if you want!
We had a class to learn about painting glass beads.
Beautiful
We made beautiful copper bangles as taught by Kiersten.
The “cabin” is actually a three story log house and it sleeps at least 25-30 people. I usually bring my cot and sleeping bag but there are beds lined up in the loft and the bedrooms. We pay a fee for food and people pitch in to help make breakfast, lunch and dinner. We really eat well!
People bring their preferred drinks – this was a ton of Sangria!
The Chicago group made great Mexican food Friday night.
Every spring the Cabin Retreat happens in Big Rapids and many of us are “repeat customers.” It really helps my creative energies by hanging around with so many creative people that I go home with all sorts of ideas floating in my head!
Nice little Loon Lake view
The cabin mascot!