Cheney craft retreat draws national audience

Last weekend, an ordinary conference room in Cheney's Holiday Inn Express was transformed into a cotton candy colored paradise thanks to the 3 Craft Chicks crafting retreat May 17-19.

The "Under the Sea" themed retreat was hosted by Airway Heights business 3 Craft Chicks, owned by Michele Craft. Attendees decked out in bedazzled shell shirts and scaled aprons festooned with tulle lined tables elbow to elbow surrounded by a creative's dream: reams of brightly colored scrapbook paper, stacks of stickers, boxes of paint and pens and folded rows of fabric.

Craft said she holds about four retreats a year, each individually themed in accordance with the season and primarily centered around paper crafts like scrapbooking, though participants are welcome to bring whatever DIY project their heart desires. The retreats offer three full days of crafting classes, uninterrupted time to create and a chance to get together with friends, Craft said.

Participants brought their own projects to work on, with several bringing half-finished photo albums full of family pictures. Others, like friends Diane Cromwell and Laura and Mare Combs-Saluga, made "junk journals," diaries cobbled together from old books, beautiful printed paper and sheet music.

Visitor Georgia Sharp took a slightly different tack, painting paper with a combination of dye and alcohol in the hopes of later using it for cards. A first-time retreat attendee, she called the process "relaxing," and said it was the appeal of being around like-minded people that drew her to the event.

The joy in the room was palpable - and that's not the glitter talking. Several people dressed in-theme for the occasion and made small gifts for their tablemates, like crocheted mermaid tail drink holders and custom pastel shell crowns. The babble of conversation flowed over the room, with the excitement every so often inspiring crafters to break out their own musical renditions of The Little Mermaid's "Part of Your World."

"It's just the creative atmosphere, and getting inspiration from all these other people," Laura Combs-Saluga said. "Besides, we're girls – we never grow out of sleepovers!"

Participants came from all over the country to attend - Combs-Saluga and her wife regularly come all the way from Florida to attend Craft's retreats, while Sharp hails from California. Craft invited representatives from Doodlebug Design, Inc., a worldwide craft supplier, as well as well-known product designer and educator Suzy West to teach classes, give demonstrations and share their techniques.

The popular events book out months in advance, with a Disney-themed September retreat and a Christmas-themed November meeting already fully booked, though Craft said the store's February 2020 retreat still has a couple of open spots.

For more information, call 3 Craft Chicks at 509-294-8693.

Shannen Talbot can be reached at shannen@cheneyfreepress.com.