Big Raven Farm

Hello, Craftonians! Did you catch the latest episode of Joleen’s Happy Time Craftcast? If not, buckle up, because you’re in for a treat—Melissa Galbraith from M Creative J stopped by, and let me tell you, it was a delightful, crafty whirlwind! The Episode Kicks Off with a Dash of Farm Life and a Whole Lot of Crafting Vibes Joleen, ever the fabulous host, starts off by sharing a little bit about life at Big Raven Farm—retreat season is in full swing! Picture it: yoga, Minnesota breezes, and Joleen whipping up meals for retreat-goers. It’s no wonder she’s been a bit quiet...

Athletes are used to pushing themselves hard—physically and mentally. But let’s face it, sometimes the constant grind of training can be overwhelming. Whether it's dealing with the stress of competition or just needing a break, athletes are finding that art retreats for athletes in nature offer an amazing way to reset, recharge, and tap into something new. These retreats go beyond just relaxing; they offer the perfect blend of physical recovery, mental clarity, and emotional well-being that can make a real difference in your athletic performance. Let’s explore how art retreats for athletes in nature can help you find that...

Craftonians! In this episode of Joleen’s Happy Time Craft Cast, I sat down with the lovely Amber Christian, owner and editor of Handmade Seller Magazine, to talk about her journey from the corporate grind to becoming a champion for artisans and small business owners everywhere. It was a jam-packed episode filled with tips on turning hobbies into thriving businesses, a deep love for canning (with her famous Salted Caramel Pear Butter recipe), and, of course, plenty of laughs! From Corporate Life to Handmade Biz Queen Amber kicked off by sharing her personal leap from a 20-year career in tech and...

Do you remember when you were little and the simplest things made you happy? Like coloring outside the lines, building cardboard castles, or making friendship bracelets with your best pals? Those were the days! We created things just for the fun of it, and it made us feel so alive. No pressure, no deadlines, just pure, joyful creativity. But then, life happens. We grow up. Jobs, family, responsibilities—life gets busy, and all those fun, creative projects we used to love slowly fade away. Suddenly, the paintbrushes are packed away, the sewing machine is collecting dust, and we forget how much...

Let’s talk about stress. I mean, we all know what it feels like, right? Sometimes it’s this looming dark cloud hanging over us, and other times it’s more subtle, like an annoying low hum you can’t quite shake. Stress sneaks in, whether it’s from work, family stuff, or just the whirlwind of keeping up with life. And while a little bit of stress can give us that push we need (like when you’ve got a deadline and suddenly you’re a superhero), too much of it—especially when it sticks around—can take a serious toll on our health. They call stress the...