2026 Fall Creative Retreat

There is something about the mountains in October — the crisp air, the turning leaves, the quiet mornings wrapped in mist — that invites us to slow down and create from a deeper place.

I’m so excited to share that Blue in the Mountains Fall Retreat will be held at the Wagonmaster Ranch Resort in beautiful Cherokee County, North Carolina, October 13–22, 2026.

For ten immersive days, we will gather in the Blue Ridge Mountains for indigo dyeing, eco-printing, hand stitching, and spacious time to make, explore, and simply be. We’ll weave in Japanese forest bathing, local mountain culture, and the joy of creating in community during peak leaf season.

This retreat is designed for those who long for meaningful creative time — hands stained blue, quiet studio mornings, mountain hikes, shared meals, and evenings filled with conversation and inspiration.

Cherokee County, with its Appalachian craft heritage and proximity to the Nantahala National Forest, offers the perfect setting for restoration and renewal.

✨ I would love for you to join us.

A Ten-Day Immersive Creative Experience

This retreat spans ten spacious, unrushed days and is intentionally process-driven.

We will move slowly — allowing time for learning, experimentation, reflection, conversation, and rest. This is not a packed workshop schedule. It is an unfolding.

Our focus will include:

• Building and maintaining a natural indigo vat together
• Eco-printing with seasonal plants
• Printing on leather
• Shibori resist techniques
• Papermaking and simple bookbinding
• Slow stitching and surface embellishment
• Creating a traditional Japanese komebukuro bag using your hand-dyed fabrics

We begin at the root — constructing an indigo vat from scratch. You’ll learn the chemistry, the care, and the quiet rhythm of this ancient dye tradition. Indigo teaches patience. It teaches observation. It teaches trust.

From there, we will work directly with the landscape through plant-based eco-printing, discovering how autumn leaves and mountain flora transfer color and form to cloth.

As the days unfold, techniques will build upon one another. Indigo may meet rust. Shibori may layer with eco-print. Background color will be developed using natural and select synthetic dyes to create rich, nuanced surfaces inspired by fall in the Blue Ridge Mountains.

This retreat is intentionally informal.
You may try everything.
You may focus deeply on one path.
You may work independently and jump in when curiosity calls.

There will be demonstrations and guidance — but also generous space for play, exploration, and organic evolution of your work.

Perhaps you’ll create a one-of-a-kind artist book documenting your journey.
Perhaps you’ll stitch a komebukuro bag from layered fabrics that hold the memory of the week.

Guest Artists

We are joined by:

Claudia Lee of Liberty Papermaking (Liberty, TN)
M. Theresa Brown of The Silk Thread (Raleigh, NC)

Both will offer instruction, insight, and support during your stay — expanding the depth and richness of the experience.

The Value of Creative Reset

We live in a culture of urgency.
Retreat is a radical act.

When you step away from daily demands, your nervous system softens.
Your breathing changes.
Your creativity returns in ways that cannot be forced.

A creative reset is not indulgence — it is restoration.

This retreat offers uninterrupted time, mountain air, meaningful conversation, and the quiet rhythm of making by hand. That combination is powerful.

Japanese Forest Bathing

We will also explore the practice of Japanese Shinrin-yoku, or “forest bathing.”

Forest bathing is not hiking for exercise. It is a slow, mindful immersion in the forest — engaging the senses, noticing texture, sound, scent, and light. Research shows that time spent this way reduces stress hormones, lowers blood pressure, and restores mental clarity.

In the mountains of Western North Carolina, this practice feels natural and intuitive — a gentle way to reconnect with both nature and yourself.

Planned Field Experiences

Throughout the retreat, we will weave in optional field days, including:

• Visiting regional apple orchards during harvest season
• Exploring local wineries
• A fall train ride on the Great Smoky Mountains Railroad during peak leaf color
• Exploring neighboring mountain towns such as Murphy, McCaysville, and Copperhill

These excursions are designed to inspire — not rush — your creative process.

Evenings in the Mountains

Evenings will wind down slowly.

Campfires.
Community apple cobbler baking.
Stitching in the Wagon Wheel gathering space.
Star-gazing in the cool October air.

Or perhaps simply quiet time alone on your porch with a cup of tea.

It is your retreat. You choose your rhythm.

Lodging & Meals

Lodging is not included, but there are spacious cabins onsite that may be shared, as well as nearby options in Murphy and surrounding towns. October is peak leaf season, so early booking is encouraged.

Each morning, we will gather for a simple continental breakfast in the Wagon Wheel.

Lunch is brown bag community-style — shared and informal — giving everyone a chance to contribute and “show off” a little.

Dinners are on your own. You may choose to cook in your cabin, gather casually with others, or venture out to nearby Murphy or Copperhill for a relaxed mountain evening.

Accommodations📍 Recommended Lodging & Stay Options

We know that a peaceful night’s rest is an essential part of your creative retreat experience. October is peak leaf season in the Blue Ridge Mountains, and accommodations fill quickly — so we encourage you to book early.

For a full curated list of nearby lodging options — including onsite cabins, RV sites, private Airbnb stays, and cozy mountain rentals — visit:

👉 https://www.ayafiberstudio.com/north-carolina-lodging-suggestions

This page includes details on:

• A limited number of cabins are available onsite at Wagonmaster Ranch Resort, allowing you to stay fully immersed in the retreat experience.
https://wagonmasterranchresort.com/
828-215-2357
• RV Sites & Private RV Rentals (including Airbnb availability)
• Nearby Airbnb & Vacation Rental Cabins
• Cozy inns and mountain guesthouses around Murphy, NC
• Tips for choosing accommodation that fits your retreat pace

We’ve organized options by:
✨ Proximity to retreat space
✨ Price range
✨ Privacy level
✨ Guest preferences (shared, solo, couples, pet-friendly)

Whether you want rustic charm, serene privacy, a social stay, or mountain views from your porch, there’s a lodging option to support your retreat rhythm.

Helpful tip: Once you register for Blue in the Mountains, we recommend booking your lodging right away to secure the best selection. This is prime leaf color time in the mountains!

For questions or help with lodging suggestions — happy to assist anytime! 🍁✨

The Spirit of Blue in the Mountains

This retreat is about more than technique.

It is about honoring slow processes.
About seasonal transition.
About stress relief through nature and making.
About giving yourself time.

October 2026 offers the quiet magic just before peak leaf season — warm enough to work outdoors during the day, cool enough in the evening to gather comfortably around the fire.

Come ready to explore.
Layer.
Experiment.
Rest.
And let autumn guide your work.

🍂 Blue in the Mountains: A Fall Fiber Retreat 🍂