2018 Weaving in the Sunshine State Basket Weaving Retreat

Becky Bechtel

2018 Weaving in the Sunshine State Basket Weaving Retreat

I promised it was going to be bigger and better. I said the venue was going to be larger and there would be more class offerings. And it sure was! The 2018 weaving retreat was almost exactly double the number of attendees from 2017. We added teachers and classes with a wider variety of weaving options. It was an amazing event and I enjoyed seeing all the happy faces around the room (even those that were in very stern concentration, lol). 

The teachers for the 2018 Weaving in the Sunshine State were: Pam Talsky, Alice Ogden, Patty Feather, Debbie Mroczenski, Char Ciammaichella, Denise Bendelewski, Julie Kleinrath, Tonya Cubeta, Debbie Hurd, Candace Katz, Karen Maugans, Barbara Nelson and myself, Becky Bechtel. 

This was the first year at the Crowne Plaza at the Bell Tower Shops, but still staying in Ft. Myers, Florida. In this much larger venue, we were all able to gather in one room (so we could watch what everyone else was weaving too) and still have some elbow room to stretch out.

The additional space also presented the opportunity to add two vendors for your shopping pleasure. KnK Creations (Kim and Karen Maugens) had a wide variety of traditional weaving supplies and every color under the rainbow of dyed reed. Barbara Nelson of Phoenix Rising Ultd. (Artgal's Studio on Facebook) provided supplies for pine needle coiling. Your patronage to these vendors is much appreciated.

The always popular, Silent Auction, was very successful in raising funds to be used as seed money for the 2019 event. If you donated or purchased an item ... my deepest gratitude. I would for sure miss someone if I tried to list each of you but know that your contribution is what will make 2019 possible.

And next year? What to expect? We'll be at the same venue (we're already booked and the deposit is made). The dates will move out just a bit to February 5-7, 2019. Interest has already been high with potential new attendees. Do I think next year will be bigger and better? Yep! You bet I do!!