Roycycled Besties Creative Retreat 2025
Where curiosity leads... creativity follows ~Royce Hunt-Bell
Recently, I made the trip to Safford, AZ to attend the Roycycled Besties Creative Retreat. Royce is the woman behind our favourite decoupage papers and creative instructor extraordinaire! I was very excited to attend and meet all the wonderful ladies I've had the pleasure to 'know' online - some since the very beginnings of my creative business journey.
What started out as a planned holiday with Husband that included the retreat amongst other sights and adventure, due to his schedule however, it transformed into myself and my friend Heather (from Underground Gallery & Gifts in Vermilion, AB) flying out for a week of the most unexpectedly fulfilling creativity, fun and connection with almost 60 other wonderful ladies.
And we're off! Flying out from Edmonton.
Once we arrived in Phoenix, we had quite the wait until our departure to Safford aboard a charter flight, so Heather and I acquainted ourselves with the Phoenix airport while we waited for a few other ladies to join us on our journey.
Taking the PHX Skytrain to the shuttle for the Jackson Jet Centre, had us ready to board the little Cessna 208 Caravan that would be our flight to Safford. Climbing aboard the tiny plane, Heather turned around and growled (smiling - but perhaps out of fear), “What have you gotten me into?”. The tiny plane was NOT a favourite of our little group - I think we all agreed though that it was preferable over the 3 hour drive that was our only other alternative.
Our ride is the tiny 8 seater in the middle.
My view of Mt. Graham as we're nearing Safford. The flight was a little bumpy!
We were greeted at the Safford Regional Airport by Royce and her husband David, along with Brenda and Flea. We laughed as we got off the plane and they were standing there in a group - the only people at the airport meeting the only plane arriving - holding up a sign reading “Roycyled Besties Retreat” 🤣
Welcome dinner for the
wednesday arrivals!
It was a long day of travel
but we're all so happy
to be here.
Thursday morning we were up bright and early as guests on David's radio program on KATO 1230 AM where he is the news director and morning talent. My plan was to be a silent observer but I ended up answering a few of David's questions. I'm glad he works for radio and not television!
Sound booth shenanigans with Brenda and Karen!
After the radio show… we were busy zipping around town getting last minute details squared away. This gave us newcomers to Safford the chance to get a look at the amazing murals that seem to be painted everywhere adding such an artistic vibe to the city. I was too busy being ‘in the moment’ to stop and take too many photos so you'll have to trust me when I say how amazing they were!
Thursday evening there was the “meet & greet” at our hotel where Royce devised a bingo card that we had to get stamped by mingling about & finding the appropriate person. WAY out of my comfort zone but I'm proud to say that I did in fact get all my bingo squares stamped by different attendees - in the process, meeting a lot of new people and many of those I'd only known via the online world.
After the meet & greet, a group of us decided to help out with the set up at the venue. More hands made quick work out of getting everything ready for our creative adventures to start the next morning!
Friday & Saturday mornings began with Jane Bellante of Jane Bellante Art, guiding a mindset creative session. Jane is someone I met over 5 years ago in another group. It was so nice to finally meet her in person.
Then it was time for the creative chaos to begin!
We spent the first day and part of the next just creating random designs, textures, & patterns without a clue as to the final outcome (Royce was keeping that a secret). We were taught colour theory and we all chose & created a colour palette that we could use as a focus point if we chose to. It did give me some form of perceived control of my final project - I knew the colours would be great!
Royce guided us on a journey of discovering that we can indeed create amazing things when we're experimenting with new techniques and straying into the unknown. Creating without knowing what our final product would be was in fact quite freeing. Once I let go of the control... it was nice to just be in the moment and create!
Isn't this a beautiful space? The retreat was held at The Venue on Main in Safford, AZ. It was the perfect place to host an event like this!
We were tasked with creating many small pieces of art by using stamps, stencils, paints, inks, gelli plates, & more. I used a Sizzix Big Shot machine for the first time to die cut and emboss fun patterns. As someone who's not familiar with paper-art… this opened up a whole new world!
We were ‘mad scientists’ on a mission. We had no idea to where but that was the freeing fun of it all!
Once given final instruction to create a masterboard of our own using all of the paper creations from the past two days… it all just came together as if I'd planned it all along!
You all know my fondness for deep turquoise, copper, rust, and yellow... staying true to my colours led to a final piece that I love. The mix of delicate femininity and the more masculine patterns just seemed to combine into a perfect backdrop for my wee little bird.
Then sadly, Sunday morning had us saying goodbye to those who had to leave early while the rest of us hung out and spent our time chatting & finishing any little touch-ups to our masterboards.
I can't possibly put into words what this event meant to me. Royce has always had a way with bringing people together. She inspires and motivates those around her to believe in themselves and their artistic abilities. She's truly one of a kind.
It was so much more than crafting. I think we all benefited from the opportunity to connect with other women who have the same values, goals, dreams, and of course… businesses &/or hobbies. It creates a strength of mind, a belief in your abilities, and the desire - maybe the permission - to embrace your individual uniqueness.
We are moms, wives, grandmothers, daughters, sisters and friends - and thanks to Royce, we are now a family.
I have to thank Heather for trusting me and jumping on a plane (kinda last minute) and following me out on this crazy adventure. I can't imagine this trip without you - thank you!
And of course… Thank YOU Royce! You changed lives with this retreat. See you next year!
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