By Joleen

There’s something magical about resin art.It glimmers, it swirls, it captures color like glass, and it freezes time in glossy, touchable beauty. Whether it’s a glitter-drenched tumbler, a sleek writing pen, or a dreamy tray sealed in shine, resin has a way of catching your eye and making you wonder… Could I do that? If you’ve ever paused your scroll to marvel at a resin pour video, if you’ve been quietly admiring shimmering creations on Etsy, if the idea of making something functional and fabulous calls to you… We’re here to tell you something important. Yes. You absolutely can do...

If you’ve ever lost track of time while collaging a page, scribbled your way to clarity in the margins, or spilled your whole heart into a sketchbook, then you know: art journaling isn’t just a hobby. It’s a lifeline. A space where creativity, emotion, memory, and meaning all blend together.  Even the most devoted art journalers can benefit from shaking things up now and then. Life gets busy, and routines set in, but our creativity loves to be surprised, delighted, and set free to play in new ways. That’s when a retreat can change everything. Why Go on an Art...

Imagine stepping into a place where time slows, where the natural world unfurls its beauty in every leaf, petal, and shadow. Imagine your hands, dusted with indigo and earth, pressing nature’s artistry onto paper and cloth, capturing moments of light, memory, and wonder. Welcome to The Wonders of Nature: Cyanotypes and Eco-Printing, a three-day art retreat at Big Raven Farm—a sanctuary for creatives, seekers, and nature lovers alike. This September 11–14, 2025, immerse yourself in a one-of-a-kind retreat designed for those who long to connect more deeply with the world around them through hands-on artistry. Led by artist and guide...

Have you ever felt the urge to create, but life keeps getting in the way? Maybe you’ve collected art supplies but haven’t found the time—or the confidence—to use them. If you’ve been longing to reignite your creative spark, this retreat is for you. July 17-20, 2025, join us at Big Raven Farm, a hidden gem nestled in the rolling hills of Minnesota’s Driftless region, for a Mixed Media Collage Art Retreat like no other. Led by talented artists Joleen Emery and Barb Eickhoff, this retreat is designed to help you establish a daily creative practice—one that is simple, achievable, and deeply...

Love cooking but want to take it up a notch? Maybe you’ve nailed the basics, but you’re ready to level up your kitchen game without making things complicated. That’s exactly what we’ll be doing at Big Raven Farm’s Cooking Retreat with Darin Warling (April 3-6, 2025). This isn’t some high-pressure cooking class where you get judged on your knife skills. Nope—this is a laid-back, hands-on, fun-filled weekend where you’ll learn some seriously awesome techniques that make a huge difference in the kitchen. Think killer homemade pasta, melt-in-your-mouth steak, and ice cream that tastes better than anything from the store. Plus, there’s...