Craft Your Creative Life

       A Sewing, Business & Wellness Retreat

 It's time to take a step back, relax, recharge and get ready to move forward!

August 10-13, 2023 

REGISTER TODAY

DO YOU YEARN FOR A LIFE OF BALANCE?

I think you will agree that being an entrepreneur can be exhilarating and, at times, exhausting! The last few years have made us realize how important it is to take a step back, refresh our soul, refocus our mind, then begin to take the steps forward to lay a plan to find balance in work and life.

The Day Begins

 Imagine being in a charming place along the water's edge, starting your day with a walk as the sun rises, finding gratitude for the day that has begun—then spending the day learning new skills and implementing what you have learned. Having meaningful conversations with other like-minded individuals—at the same time, being amongst individuals who work together to create a strong community, not competition, exchanging ideas on how to enhance your business structure.

 

I WANT THIS

It's time...

 

Does this sound like you?

 

As creatives, we first need to calm our mind and free it from the clutter and stress that blocks our imagination. Then begin to rekindle our creativity, gain inspiration from the environment, and those around us. Gather new information, learn new skills, then put those new skills to the test.
It's time to rest, restore, refocus, refuel and tap into your creative energy. It's time to visualize what success looks like to you.
It's time to CRAFT YOUR CREATIVE LIFE!

    Register Early, Space Is Limited!  

REGISTER TODAY

Learn By Doing 

Hands-on Workshops

Fauteuils, Bergeres & Dining Room Chairs

Linda Meeks

 Lace-up your slipcover designs for furniture with exposed wood
In this class, participants will experience a slideshow portfolio of fauteuils, bergeres, and dining chairs, a demonstration of patterning these types of chairs with muslin and mylar, and an opportunity to practice making a slipcover with ties for a seat, back, or arms. A variety of furniture and fabric will be available to participants. Or you have the option to bring an open-arm dining chair or similar and 1.5 yards of your chosen fabric.  

Fabric Laminated Shade

Sandra VanSickle

Custom Laminated Shades are an excellent alternative to soft shades and are a great way to add a touch of elegance to your windows while providing privacy and light control. Using designer fabrics allows you to customize the shade to any room. Constructed with a lamination process that bonds two or more layers of material together, it adds durability and strength to the fabric.

It's easier than you think, and with roller shades more popular than ever, now is the best time to learn. 

With instructions on choosing suitable fabric and using proper tools and materials, students will learn hands-on how to laminate fabric for a roller shade. 

Reversible Pillow Sham

Cathy Tucker

 The Reversible Pillow Sham is made with a contrasting flange and hidden zipper. This method allows for fabricating a sham with different fabrics on the front and back, making them very versatile. Class includes instructions for constructing perfect mitered corners on the wrapped flange. This technique for a reverse sham can also be used for regular pillows. Each student will make a sample to take home.

Duvet Cover

Donna Cash

A duvet cover is a bed cover for the duvet insert. These covers are pillow cased on
three sides and may be contrast lined. Duvet covers are typically closed with a
zipper, Velcro, buttons, or snaps.  Duvet covers may need a flange or ruffle to fit the bed properly.
In this class, the student will learn
- common bed sizes
- common duvet insert fill types
- helpful tools to use when measuring beds for duvet covers
- tips for selling duvet covers by understanding the characteristics of duvet covers.
The students will leave this class with
- bed measuring forms
- yardage calculation forms
- a small duvet cover sample fabricated in class.

Bed Skirts

Sharon Gregory

With their soft folds, ruffle bed skirts add a casual look to a bedding ensemble, while tailored bed skirts with stylish pleats offer a clean, streamlined look.
Because all beds are different, Sharon will share different styles and fabrication methods for bed skirts.
Learn how to make a bed skirt on a deck in the hands-on workshop, and take a finished mini sample home with you for reference.

Set Yourself Up For Success

Donna Cash

&

Sandra VanSickle

Two separate classes led by Donna and Sandra 

Identify what success looks like to you. Overcome stumbling blocks and propel yourself forward.
Grow from your mistakes, and build a stronger foundation for your business
Keep moving forward but remember to slow down and enjoy your progress.
Learn about the power of journaling, and don’t forget about self-care.
Set up a morning routine of meditation, visualization, exercise, and setting intentions of the day

Daily Activities

  •  Journaling, Planning, Meditation, Exercise
  • Breakfast
  • Instructor Presentations
  • Lunch
  • Hands-on Workshops
  • Dinner
  • Evening Networking
  • Free-time

    Register Early, Space Is Limited!

REGISTER TODAY

Meet Your Instructors 

Linda Meeks

Today Linda Meeks fashions slipcovers to the trade and specializes in covers for wingbacks, fauteuils, benches, and bergeres.  She believes any chair worth slipcovering has a story to tell!
 
Linda’s journey as a maker was formalized as a student of Product Design at North Carolina State University in the mid-80s.  After working for a decade as a designer in the medical textile industry,  she exited manufacturing and set up a creative sewing studio in her home, making fabric models for product design firms, medical companies, and IBM. Her passion for furniture and fabric musings sent her on many ad-vintique-ventures.  These included hosting a Slipcover Summit inside the Furniture Mart in Hickory, NC, and traveling to Italy for a furniture reconnaissance with the Antiques Diva.

Donna Cash

I am Donna Cash and I own an award-winning soft furnishings design & fabrication studio that focuses on inspiring, encouraging, & training for the home decor industry.

My business, Designs by Donna opened in 1989 and is in Flowery Branch, GA. I use my God-given passion and abilities to bring joy and beauty into the lives of others through exquisite design, teaching, and sharing. When I am in my teaching role, my goal is to build the student's confidence so they can build their skills and grow their business.

The dreams and goals of today are reflected in the joys of tomorrow.

Cathy Tucker

Cathy shares 29 years in the Custom Window Treatment Industry. She was the owner and manager of Tucks N’ Pleats Draperies for 21 years. Cathy has been a featured speaker and past president of the Detroit Workroom Association. She speaks at WCAA events and was the lead instructor for the Career Professional Program at the CHF Academy for nine years. Cathy is a master at fabricating draperies, upholstered cornices, soft cornices, and headboards. She is the owner of The Traveling Workroom Temp Service. Cathy travels the country, providing hourly expert labor to help other workrooms manage large jobs, clear backlogs, and teach private classes to individuals and groups.

Sharon Gregory


Sharon Gregory, Co-founder of Craft Your Creative Life and owner of The 13th Avenue Place, a drapery workroom located in Hickory, NC. For 19 years, Sharon has worked with designers to realize their clients' dreams by producing high-quality work and is an expert in draperies, shades, valances, pillows, cushions, light upholstery, and bedding. Sharon joined the WCAA in 2004 and is currently a member of the Triangle chapter. She continues to expand her skill set by attending industry conferences and meetups and taking in-person and online classes. Sharon moved from New Zealand to the USA with her family in 2001. Opening her business has enabled her to share her skills and knowledge with others

Sandra VanSickle

Sandra VanSickle, Co-founder of Craft Your Creative Life, is a dedicated leader in the industry who shares one common goal: to educate, inspire, and promote others who share her vision. With her 42 plus years of knowledge and experience, she is committed to passing along what she has learned through Live With Sandra V, her online presence, hands-on classes, articles, and industry speaking engagements. Located in Apex, North Carolina, Sandra is the proud owner of Sew What’s New LLC, a wholesale custom window treatment studio, and is currently the Director of Workroom Central for the International Windows Coverings Expo.

Hello There

 

Meet your Hosts

Sharon Gregory & Sandra VanSickle

Sharon a Kiwi from New Zealand moved to the US 21 years ago, just the time Sandra was taking her custom drapery workroom from part to full-time. As new neighbors sharing the love of sewing it wasn't long before they began working together. 

It's been an amazing journey for both of them, one that has led them to host this incredible retreat.

Sharon & Sandra believe everything happens in its own time and without a shadow of a doubt, it's time for the

Craft Your Creative Life Retreat!

 

Our goal for Crafting Your Creative Life Retreat is to give you a taste of what it’s like to find a balance of work and life, build a plan to recharge your business. And, above all, building lasting friendships within our creative community.

Register Today

Accommodations

Fort Caswell Coastal Retreat & Conference Center

Oak Island, NC

August 10-13, 2023

3-Nights, 4-Days

  • Double Occupancy Room
  • Meals*
  • Mini Fridge
  • Wi-Fi 
  • Free Parking

6-Meals included:

Thursday - Dinner

Friday & Saturday - Breakfast & Lunch

Sunday - Breakfast

No Smoking or Alcohol is permitted on-premises. 

 

Testimonials

 

We've Got Your Questions Covered

Our Industry Sponsors

Craft Your Creative Life

Premier Sponsor

Rowley Company

Rowley Company is a leading manufacturer and international distributor of home décor products that incorporate value-added services and solutions designed for our professional trade and retail partners. Since 1962, Rowley has been helping support drapery and upholstery workrooms, installers, and designers by providing the tools and supplies that they need to grow their businesses successfully.

PAY UPFRONT

DOUBLE OCCUPANCY

PAYMENT PLAN 

DOUBLE OCCUPANCY

PAY UPFRONT

SINGLE OCCUPANCY

 

$997

Per Person Double Occupancy

3-Night Accommodations

  • 6 - Meals Included*
  • 6 - Classes & Hands-on Workshops
  • All Workshop Supplies
  • Wi-Fi
  • Free Parking

    Register Early. Space Is Limited!

Meals Included:

Thursday - Dinner

Friday & Saturday - Breakfast & Lunch

*Friday & Saturday dinners not included. Enjoy your free time and plan to dine in South Port.

Sunday - Breakfast

Reminder: No Smoking or Alcohol is

permitted on-premises. 

2 x $500

Per Person Double Occupancy

3-Night Accommodations

  • 6- Meals included*
  • 6 - Classes & Hands-on Workshops
  • All Workshop Supplies
  • Wi-Fi
  • Free Parking

    Register Early, Space Is Limited!

Meals Included:

Thursday - Dinner

Friday & Saturday - Breakfast & Lunch

*Friday & Saturday dinners not included. Enjoy your free time and plan to dine in South Port.

Sunday - Breakfast

Reminder: No Smoking or Alcohol is

permitted on-premises. 

$1,097

Per Person Single Occupancy

3-Night Accommodations

  • 6 - Meals Included*
  • 6 - Classes & Hands-on Workshops
  • All Workshop Supplies
  • Wi-Fi
  • Free Parking

    Register Early. Space Is Limited!

Meals Included:

Thursday - Dinner

Friday & Saturday - Breakfast & Lunch

*Friday & Saturday dinners not included. Enjoy your free time and plan to dine in South Port.

Sunday - Breakfast

Reminder: No Smoking or Alcohol is

permitted on-premises. 

Register Now One Payment $997.00 Double Occupancy
Register Now Two Payments 2x $500 Double Occupancy
Register Now One Payment $1097.00 Single Occupancy

Pay Upfront

$997

Per Person double Occupancy

3-Night Accommodations

  • All Meals at Retreat
  • 6 - Classes & Hands-on Workshops
  • All Workshop Supplies
  • Wi-Fi
  • Free Parking

    Register Early,

Space Is Limited!

Reminder: No Smoking or Alcohol is permitted on-premises. 

Register Today

Payment Plan 

2 x $500

Per Person Double Occupancy

3-Night Accommodations

  • All Meals at Retreat
  • 6 - Classes & Hands-on Workshops
  • All Workshop Supplies
  • Wi-Fi
  • Free Parking

    Register Early,

Space Is Limited!

Reminder: No Smoking or Alcohol is permitted on-premises. 

Register Now