Craft Napa-a soul filling experience
I am still vibrating from my experience at Pokey Bolton’s Craft Napa. At one point I was unable to sleep and I just voiced these phrases into my phone to capture the moment:
Collaborative synergy
Porous minds, ready to absorb
I poured out ideas and they ignited
Fearless, open, adventurous students
Tidal waves of energy and creativity
Burned through curriculum in record time
Students left ready to create their own personal vision
Pokey Bolton, Carrie Boomston, Leslie Jenison, Melly Testa, Me, Lynn Krawczyk; Back row: Elizabeth St. Hilaire, Judy Coates Perez, Jamie Fingal, Jane LaFazio Photo by Indigo Perez
Other teachers also felt that the Craft Napa energy put students and teachers alike into an uber creative state of mind. It is hard to describe and may sound overstated, but Craft Napa was unlike any event I’ve ever been a part of. The air was filled with energy and creativity and everyone was so caring, encouraging and supportive.
Photo by Indigo Perez
We even made the local paper.
Great classroom set up and wonderful students
I had a full slate of classes with Intro to Fearless Free Motion Quilting on Friday, Fearless Free Motion Fills and Frills on Friday and Modern Free Motion on Saturday. I saw passions ignite and students thinking about how they were going to quilt their next piece. I have never had a group of students like those of Craft Napa and it was pure heaven. At one point (thank you for the suggestion Jamie Fingal!) I let my students go to create their own original piece from what we learned in class. It was amazing-each student created fabulous a piece, on the spot. Oh how fun it was to see them create their own work! I do regret that I did not take more photos of class.
The hotel grounds are beautiful
Several things set Craft Napa apart. The classroom venue (forgot to take a photo) was perfect. All seven of the large classrooms were set around a large, airy atrium. That allowed for easy mingling and peeking into other classrooms. Our classrooms were well lit and comfortable and Bernina/Meissner’s brought in 770’s and 550’s. My room had the larger 770’s and they were a dream to work on-easy, edited interface, huge bobbin and throat space and beautiful stitches-I was thrilled. We all agreed that the Bernina reps at Craft Napa were the best ever.
Hanging out Wed before we start Photo by Indigo Perez
There were just no cliques, no distinction between students and teachers, locals vs travelers, quilters vs collagers, etc. There was a very open and accepting atmosphere that permeated all that we did. That made a huge difference in the classroom also-everyone was kind, open and supportive.
Judging was serious!
There was some sort of event every night. On Thursday night there was a wine blending event. I know nothing about wine and yet I had a blast! Each table had 8 “blenders” that worked together to create the best wine. We started with four barrel samples-Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Syrah and Cabernet Franc, all from Napa Valley of course. Using measuring beakers and a pipette, each table created several blends and submitted the best one for judging. Each team chose their judge. My table tied for last place, giggle. I probably was not a big help.
The winning team “Collage a trois”
The “Collage a Trois” table won and they were quite proud…and loud!
The next day we all received a bottle of the winning wine to take home-how slick is that?
Karyn won the Bernina 215-she was just a little excited!
Also, Meissner’s/Bernina gave away a Bernina 215 to a lucky winner and Karyn Meyreles from my local American Sewing Guild won the prize. Karyn was um, very demonstrative and quite happy with her win.
Before the Artist’s Market opened-calm before the storm Photo by Indigo Perez
Friday night was the Artist’s Market where vendors could have a table to sell their wares. What fun! There was a huge variety of art, supplies, ThermoFax screens, fabric, and ephemera to choose from. I scored some fabric from Lynn Krawczyk, an indigo ephemera bag from Melly Testa and a lovely pin from Lilly Williamson that I promptly lost. It was just the coolest grouping of bits and pieces and art. And it provided yet another opportunity to hang out and meet other crafters/artists too.
Jamie Fingal, Jane LaFazio, Lynn Krawczyk
Saturday was a wrap-up party at Pokey’s Barn.
Sat night wrap-up
The Barn space will eventually be a place for intimate classes of all sorts.
Pokey’s Barn is going to be a fabulous place to create (work by Betty Hahn)
Pokey has carefully planned it to be a dream space to create in.
Really-the Bernina pinata was huge!
Pokey had a gigantic Bernina pinata created and it was filled with batting, Aurifil thread and other goodies. Apparently crafters need to up their pinata skills but eventually we broke in and scattered for the goodies inside. It was a nice way to wind down and get to know other creative souls.
A quiet moment at Pokey’s Barn
I stayed over Saturday night and on Sunday Pokey had a very informal gathering to wind down and chat and enjoy each other’s company.
I was basking from the glow of such a wonderful event.
Love this photo! (Leslie Jenison and Pokey)
I treasure those moments of being able to get to know this incredible group of strong, amazing women. I created new friendships and grew current ones. I expanded my creativity and learned new things. I felt that students and instructors were reaching deep into their artistic soul. It was a Golden Moment that I cherish.
As I left-such a beautiful scene
Oh how I hated to leave!
Moving-ugh
And I came home to this! It will be worth it, but in the meantime we will be moving out completely for 6 months…and then I will have my studio-WHOOP!
Craft Napa: You. Must. Go. Next. Year.
Wow, what an amazing event. thank you for sharing — I feel like I was there.
It was amazing-hard to describe.
Thanks for the event recap, it looked fabulous, I’m more than slightly jealous.
Well next year don’t be jealous-go! I’d love to spend some time with you-SAQA conference was just not enough.
I’m excited, just in reading through your post! The energetic excitement flows through you words.
I will anticipate attending any future Craft Napa workshops.
It was just magical and I think you would enjoy all the creativity and energy that covered the whole thing. It was such a kick!
Craft Napa just sounds wonderful. I’m hoping to be able to attend sometime in the near future. Of course, I’d love to take a free-motion quilting class with you at this event too!
QuiltShopGal
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Darlene you would love the vibe of Craft Napa. I’d love to meet you sometime!
Hi Jenny…Craft Napa is starting to feel like a dream. Thanks so much for your Free Motion Quilting for Modern Quilts class on Saturday. Your teaching style is just the right balance of creating a safe environment that allows folks to take risks and make a few mistakes on the road to learning to a new skill.
I came home so inspired and am applying some new techniques to my FMQing!
I look forward to taking more classes with you!
All the best,
Michelle Wyman
PS Good luck with the move and remodel. Your wonderful sense of humor will help you get through the next few months!
Oh thank you Michelle for those words. I’d love to keep up with your work (and play!). You will do well with fmq I know. I hope I don’t lose my sense of humor with this move….
I agree.
Love it Melly! LOVED meeting you-wish you were on this coast!
Great report on Craft Napa. It was so thoughtful, yet detailed and will certainly put Craft Napa on many calendars!
I’m glad you enjoyed it Cathy-it was just so special it was hard to put it into words.
Great write-up! Thanks for sharing this experience.
Thank you Barbara-it was very special and I hope to do it again.
Wow! Thanks for your “report”! I felt like that many moons ago when I went to Penland for a two week weaving class. And I could not sleep either, I was so jazzed up. What’s fun there is that there is every craft you can think of, so lots of inspiration of all sorts going on. Glad you had such an amazing time and what a downer to come home to boxes….
Oh wow, two weeks?! I can’t imagine how much fun that was Debbie-that would be my dream.
Very good documentation of a wonderful experience. So happy to meet you. Xx
Midge I didn’t really get to talk to you much but I wish I had spent some time with you. You effervesce great energy wherever you are! Next year!
Wow, you were so lucky to go. I so want to teach there next year!!
I was thrilled to go Roxane and teaching there was just fabulous-you would love it!
Yes, I am planning on putting it on my calendar for next year. Off to see if there’s information available yet.
I’m not sure Pokey has next year planned quite yet but DO GO next year Debby-you would love it!
Wow! Looks like an amazing experience!
I know amazing is overused, but really, Craft Napa was amazing Angela!
I am so glad to finally read a post about Craft Napa! I’m happy to hear it was such a successful event and hope to take a class from you at some point-maybe next year at Craft Napa!
Hope 2016 is filled with joy in your new studio!!!
Thank you Lynne-I can’t wait for my new studio! If you get a chance, do go to Craft Napa next year.