There comes a point when many of us realize we haven't made anything just for ourselves in a very long time.
We've spent months taking care of other people, meeting deadlines, running errands, solving problems, and checking things off lists. The days are full, but something feels missing.
Often, what's missing is creativity.
Not because everyone wants to be an artist, but because creating something with your hands has a way of quieting the noise. It gives your mind somewhere else to go for a while. It reminds you that not everything has to be productive to be worthwhile.
That's one of the reasons I love our Pick Your Projects Retreat so much.
Right now, guests can choose from 53 different creative projects. Some can be completed in about an hour. Others can fill most of a weekend. Some require no supplies at all. Others invite you to bring materials that make the finished piece uniquely yours.
There really is something for almost everyone.
And with our June 25–28 retreat down to just three remaining spots, I thought this would be the perfect time to share why this weekend has become one of the most loved retreats we host at Big Raven Farm.
More Than 50 Projects to Choose From
The phrase "Pick Your Projects" isn't just a catchy retreat name.
It describes exactly how the weekend works.
You don't have to choose before you arrive. In fact, many guests don't.
Some wait until they see the samples displayed in the studio. Others change their minds after seeing what another guest is making.
That's part of the fun.
One guest may spend the weekend creating folded book art from a discarded novel. Another might stitch a handmade journal, knot a macramé plant hanger, build a paper topiary, create jewelry, make a wreath, or experiment with mixed media techniques.
There is no pressure to pick the "right" project because there isn't one.
Some guests complete one project they're incredibly proud of. Others finish several smaller projects over the course of the weekend.
The choice is entirely theirs.
Three Projects That Show the Range
With 53 projects available, it's impossible to talk about all of them here. But these three examples give you a good idea of the variety.
Macramé Plant Hanger
This is one of the most approachable projects on the list.
You don't need to bring a thing because all of the supplies are provided. In about an hour, you'll learn a handful of simple knots and leave with a finished plant hanger ready to display at home.
It's often the project that convinces someone they are far more creative than they thought.
Paper Topiary
If you enjoy paper crafts, this is a beautiful option.
Using a styrofoam ball, decorative upholstery tacks, and carefully crafted paper elements, guests create a dimensional decorative piece that looks far more complicated than it actually is.
It's beginner-friendly, satisfying, and usually finished within a few hours.
Hand-Sewn Journal
For guests looking for a project with a little more depth, the hand-sewn journal is a wonderful choice.
All supplies are included, although many guests enjoy bringing special fabric scraps to personalize the cover.
Over the course of a few hours, you'll learn the process of binding your own journal by hand and leave with something you'll continue using long after the retreat is over. It might hold sketches, notes, recipes, garden plans, travel memories, or simply your thoughts.
More Than an Art Retreat
The projects are what bring people here.
The experience is what brings them back.
Over the years, I've watched complete strangers become friends over cups of coffee, shared meals, and conversations around the dining room table.
Guests trade ideas.
They share stories.
They encourage one another.
They celebrate finished projects together.
Some arrive alone and leave with new friendships.
Others bring sisters, mothers, daughters, or friends and create memories they'll talk about for years.
One guest recently shared:
"I visited Big Raven for a weekend of creating art with my family. What an amazing experience. I see why so many people return. Joleen is a great teacher and facilitator. She makes every project approachable and fun. And the food! All I can say is bring your stretchy pants! You will need them!"
— Julie S.
That last part always makes me laugh because it's true.
The Food Matters Too
Every retreat at Big Raven Farm includes homemade meals prepared by my husband, Darin.
Guests often tell us they expected the art to be memorable. They didn't expect the food to be.
Fresh baked treats appear throughout the weekend.
Meals become gathering places.
Conversations linger around the table.
Nobody is rushing off to cook dinner or figure out what's next.
For a few days, your job is simply to create, relax, eat well, and enjoy yourself.
There is something deeply restorative about that.
The Farm Becomes Part of the Experience
Big Raven Farm sits among the rolling hills of southeastern Minnesota's Driftless Region.
Between projects, guests often wander the property, sit on the porch with a cup of coffee, visit with Auggie, our Director of Hospitality, or simply enjoy the quiet.
Some start the day with yoga.
Others sleep in.
Some spend every spare minute in the studio.
There isn't a right way to experience the weekend.
That's intentional.
Many of us spend our lives following schedules and meeting expectations.
This weekend is different.
Why Creative Self-Care Matters
A while back, I wrote about why retreat time may be one of the best forms of self-care.
Not because art solves every problem.
But because creativity reconnects us to ourselves.
It reminds us how good it feels to learn something new.
To make something with our hands.
To become absorbed in a process simply because we enjoy it.
Pick Your Projects takes that idea and stretches it across an entire weekend.
You aren't squeezing creativity into a spare hour between obligations.
You're giving it room to breathe.
You're giving yourself permission to slow down.
And sometimes that's exactly what we need.
Upcoming Pick Your Projects Retreat Dates
We have four Pick Your Projects weekends currently scheduled:
June 25–28, 2026 - Only 3 spots remain.
July 23–26, 2026
August 6–9, 2026
October 15–18, 2026
Whether you're looking for a solo creative getaway, a weekend with friends, or a chance to finally make time for yourself, we'd love to have you join us.
Ready to Choose Your Project?
With 53 projects to choose from, chances are you'll find something that sparks your interest.
You'll leave with finished projects.
You'll leave with new ideas.
You'll probably leave with a few new friends.
And if Julie is right, you'll definitely want those stretchy pants.
Explore the Full Project Menu
Browse all 53 project options and start imagining what you'd like to create:
Pick your own projects list!
Reserve Your Spot
The June 25–28 retreat has only three spots remaining.
If you've been thinking about joining us, now is a great time to claim your place.
I'd love to create with you.
