Robbinsville Bead Retreat

Every few months I load my car with beads, wire, and food and head to a house where I will meet friends. We spend the next four days sharing, laughing, and beading. The June retreat was located in North Carolina at vacation rental house near Robbinsville.



It was a beautiful home with breath taking views.




The meals are always wonderful at our retreats even though we do try to focus on the beads and keep food preparation to a minimum. Everyone helps with the meals so no one person is burdened. Mornings were always greeted with homemade biscuits among other wonderful treats.



We teach each other and have an easy schedule of two classes a day.

The first class of the retreat was taught by BeBee. We learned to bead around mini gourds. The selection of the perfect mini gourd was the first step. They were all perfect.



Netting was the stitch used to encase the gourd.





Peyote stitch was used to work up the neck of the gourd.




Next we added fringe on the bottom of the gourd.




Lunch was salads and deviled eggs.



Genny taught a class on wire work making a very pretty bracelet.





You get the idea. We bead and we eat.
We also had a visitor from a resident of the farm.



More beading.


Annette taught her Friendship Circle.




More food.



Mmmmm, blueberry crumble.


I taught a class on tubular netting also known as Russian Netting. This was my first time to teach a class and everyone was so nice. It is an easy stitch to do with the beginning being the hardest part.





After that, I am hungry. What's for lunch.




The afternoon's class was cold connections with Harleen. I had enough trouble with wire work, so I took the opportunity to check out a not too distant bead store. Those that took the class created some beautiful pieces, but this is the only one I got a picture of.



We had mini classes including sculptural RAW with Harry.



Carol's Peacock bracelet.



These are the goodie bags.



Each person has a bag and you can put a little something in each bag or not. It doesn't matter what or if you contribute. It is fun to go through them at the end of the retreat.

We had a special guest with us this retreat. Her name is Sasha.



Normally dogs and spouses are not encouraged to attend, but Sasha was special. She was the sweetest dog who took her role of hostess very seriously. She seemed to know who would appreciate her attentions and enjoy a snuggle. If dogs can have old souls, then this one does.

It was a wonderful four days that past all too quickly. I'm already looking forward to the next one.