Aya Fiber Studio

2026 Fall Creative Retreat

Wagonmaster Ranch Resort
Murphy, North Carolina

I am beginning plans for the 2026 Fall Blue in the Mountains Retreat, held at Wagonmaster Ranch Resort, nestled between Murphy, North Carolina and Blue Ridge, Georgia — right in the heart of peak fall color.

This is a retreat designed to slow down.

Crisp mountain air.
Changing leaves.
Quiet mornings in the studio.
Evenings gathered around the fire.

It’s the perfect setting to step away from daily pressures, gather with your creative tribe, and let the season shape your work.

A Ten-Day Immersive Experience

This retreat spans ten spacious days and is intentionally process-driven. We will move slowly — allowing time for learning, experimentation, reflection, and rest.

Our focus will include:

• Building and maintaining a natural indigo vat together
• Eco-printing with seasonal plants
• Printing on leather
• Shibori techniques
• Rust and indigo surface layering
• Papermaking and simple bookbinding
• Cyanotype
• Slow stitching and surface embellishment
• Creating a traditional Japanese komebukuro bag using your hand-dyed fabrics

We’ll begin by constructing an indigo vat from scratch — learning the chemistry, care, and rhythm of this ancient dye tradition. From there, we’ll explore plant-based eco-printing, working directly with the landscape to understand how nature transfers color and form to cloth.

As the days unfold, techniques will build upon one another. Indigo may meet rust. Shibori may layer with eco-print. Background color will be developed using both natural and select synthetic dyes to create rich, nuanced surfaces inspired by autumn in the mountains.

Participants are encouraged to follow their curiosity — revisiting processes, deepening experiments, or combining techniques in unexpected ways. Perhaps you’ll create a one-of-a-kind artist book documenting your journey. Perhaps you’ll stitch a komebukuro bag from your layered fabrics.

There will be guidance and demonstrations, but also generous time to play, explore, and let your work evolve organically.

Nature as Teacher

Beyond the studio, the mountains invite us outward.

We will incorporate Japanese Forest Bathing — a mindful immersion in the woods — along with time for hiking and foraging inspiration from the surrounding landscape.

Optional outings may include:

• Local apple orchards
• Wineries
• Fall festivals
• Leaf viewing at peak color

The pace will remain gentle and spacious — woven around your creative work rather than competing with it.

Evenings in the Mountains

As daylight shortens, evenings become their own ritual.

Cool air. Warm layers.
Hand stitching by lamplight.
Conversations beside the fire.

These quiet hours often become the most meaningful — a time to reflect, connect, and simply rest after full creative days.

Accommodations

A limited number of cabins are available onsite at Wagonmaster Ranch Resort, allowing you to stay fully immersed in the retreat experience.

Additional lodging options include nearby Airbnbs and RV sites for added flexibility.

For lodging information, please contact:
Wagonmaster Ranch Resort
https://wagonmasterranchresort.com/
828-215-2357

The Spirit of Blue in the Mountains

This retreat is about more than technique.

It is about honoring slow processes.
About seasonal transition.
About stress relief through nature and making.
About giving yourself time.

October 2026 offers the quiet magic just before peak leaf season — warm enough to work outdoors during the day, cool enough in the evening to gather comfortably around the fire.

Come ready to explore.
Layer.
Experiment.
Rest.
And let autumn guide your work.

PRICING IS NOT AVAILABLE UNTIL ALL HAS BEEN FINALIZED_ IF INTERESTED PLEASE REGISTER AND I"LL KEEP EVERYONE UPDATED AS PLANS DEVELOP!