Jewelry & Other Stories with Maryellen Kim
DATES: June 1-5, 2027
FEE: $2,450
Please confirm by March 1 to help ensure this retreat moves forward.
Also, if you're in need of financial assistance, please contact us.
An Heirloom Story is a five-day jewelry making and storytelling workshop from which participants leave with a cohesive collection of wearable jewelry (five or more finished pieces) and a short, informally written tale that gives the collection its meaning. This workshop starts with a personal—or imaginary—story as the basis for each creation. Having a story in mind helps lead each participant to colors, shapes, textures, and materials that will give meaning to each piece and convey a memory, a myth, or a fragment of a narrative to the work. Each collection will read as a single object with many parts as we incorporate an eclectic mix of treasures: semiprecious stones, natural elements, decorative charms, and vintage finds discovered together during our magical market excursion.
Note: No prior jewelry-making experience required. Techniques are taught at a level that welcomes beginners while giving more experienced makers room to push further into narrative-driven design.
JEWELRY & OTHER STORIES RETREAT SCHEDULE
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We’ll complete a brief exercise in freewriting with guided prompts to unearth each participant's memory or myth. There’ll be time to chat about materials and our own personalities as storytelling devices. We’ll also begin crocheting—the medium through which we will weave our materials and our story together!
4:30 pm | Welcome Gathering
6:00 pm | Dinner
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Today we’ll gather additional materials for our collections at the antique mall and get to work crocheting! Skills will include crocheting with beads, finishing work, attaching charms, and making pendants from found objects.
9:30 am | Light in-studio breakfast
10:00 am | Antique Mall Adventure
– break for lunch –
2:00 pm | Afternoon art session
6:00 pm | Simple in-studio dinner
– post-dinner studio time is available –
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We’ll be creating a collection of complimentary pieces by referring to our Heirloom Story and by overlapping color, shape, texture and materials. One-on-one guidance will be offered and many options will be available for creating unique pieces using a variety of techniques including different crochet styles, resin work, wire wrapping, attaching bails, etc.
8:30 am | Early studio access
9:30 am | Light in-studio breakfast
10:00 am | Morning art session
– break for lunch –
2:00 pm | Afternoon art session
6:00 pm | Dinner at local restaurant*
– post-dinner studio time is available –
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Today we’ll concentrate on finishing techniques and continuing to tell our stories. We’ll also draw names and make a small piece to give to another participant.
8:30 am | Early studio access
9:30 am | Light in-studio breakfast
10:00 am | Morning art session
– break for lunch –
2:00 pm | Afternoon art session
6:00 pm | Dinner at The Smiley
– post-dinner studio time is available –
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We’ll document the finished suite through photography and host a closing showcase where each participant shares their collection and reads their tale aloud.
8:30 am | Early studio access
9:30 am | Light in-studio breakfast
10:00 am | Morning art session
1:00 pm | Light lunch & goodbyes
– optional studio time until 5pm –
*Not included in retreat fee. Date of dinner out also subject to restaurant availability.
About Maryellen Kim
For over two decades, Maryellen Kim has woven her passion for jewelry making and story-driven design into a rich tapestry of teaching, traveling, and tireless exploration of technique. Her artistic journey began 24 years ago with her first crocheted and knotted necklace and has grown into a lifestyle of creative expression that includes an artisan jewelry line, mixed media art shrines and dolls, teaching classes, authoring and illustrating books, and licensing her artwork.
“I felt relaxed and welcomed. Beautiful spaces, excellent food, and thoughtful details everywhere.”
— Ann
2024 Smiley retreat participant
Where You’ll Be Creating
Springfield, Vermont
The Smiley Manse Barn
Nestled up behind the main property is the barn. This turn of the last century post-and-beam construction with a slate roof that rises to a massive walled cupola, the barn is noted as one of the finest carriage barns in the region. Learn more about the history of The Smiley here.
Inside, you’ll find large flat work tables, each a place to explore and express your individual creativity, yet the atmosphere encourages connection and dialogue. Whether it’s the sound of a paintbrush sweeping across the page or folks discussing technique over coffee, the barn serves as a meeting ground for artists of all levels to create and build lasting relationships, exchange ideas, and learn from one another.
We strive to create a space where the act of making art is as much about building community as it is about self-expression.
Join us for a chance to unwind and create in an idyllic setting.
Your Retreat Includes:
Custom designed art curriculum by Maryellen
4 days of creative instruction
Extra studio access before/after each full day
All meals (except 1 dinner out)
Tea, coffee, and snacks always available in the barn
Usage of our art supply stash during the retreat
What’s Not Included:
Accommodations – there are several great options nearby!
Transportation to/from The Smiley
1 dinner out at a local restaurant