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Los Poblanos Creative Retreat with Catherine Bailey and Natalie Chanin
July 13–17, 2026
Join an inspiring four-day creative retreat, co-hosted by long-timefriends and creative collaborators Catherine Bailey of Heath Ceramics
and Natalie Chanin of Alabama Chanin.
This immersive experience explores creativity, craftsmanship, and
community, offering a rare opportunity to learn from two visionary
leaders in design and making. All of this takes place in the idyllic setting of
Catherine will lead sessions on the creative process, sharing insights from her work at the intersection of ceramics, design, and material innovation.
Natalie will guide hands-on explorations of sustainable handcrafted textiles, including her signature techniques in sewing, material studies, and zero-waste design.
Come with an open mind and ready hands as we engage in sketching, journaling, hand stitching, textile crafting, and ceramic bead-making. No prior experience is necessary—just a willingness to explore and create.
Join Us
Creative Retreat with Alabama Chanin and Heath CeramicsMonday, July 13, 2026–Friday, July 17, 2026
Secure Your Spot
Meet the Makers
Catherine Bailey is an accomplished designer and the co-owner of Heath Ceramics, an important designer/maker/seller of ceramic dinnerware and tile known for its handcrafted ceramic products and innovative design philosophy and commitment to sustainability and craft. Catherine along with her husband Robin purchased the company in 2003 recognizing the opportunity to design, make, and sell under the same roof. They lead the new era of Heath — design-led manufacturing and responsible business practices, coexisting in harmony.Today Catherine guides the Heath Ceramics brand and makes time to develop her personal creative practice. Her journey in design began with a passion for materials and craftsmanship, leading her to study industrial design. She started her career as a footwear designer at Nike, finding her place exploring the intersection of art and utility.
An advocate for the craft community, Catherine actively develops relationships and workshops, sharing her insights on design and sustainability through the Heath platform. Her work embodies a deep respect for tradition alongside a modern process, ensuring that Heath Ceramics continues to be a celebrated name in the realm of design for years to come.
Natalie Chanin is an artist, designer, author, and advocate for sustainable living whose work celebrates community, craft, and environmental stewardship. As founder of Project Threadways, Alabama Chanin, and The School of Making, she has spent over 30 years redefining fashion and design through handmade, sustainable practices.
After earning a degree in Environmental Design with a focus on textiles, Chanin began her career as a designer in New York and Europe. In 2000, she returned to northwest Alabama, her childhood home, and founded Alabama Chanin, a lifestyle brand known for hand-sewn garments made with organic and recycled materials. A pioneer in slow fashion, Alabama Chanin honors textile traditions while championing sustainability.
Chanin expanded her mission by launching The School of Making, offering workshops, DIY kits, and resources that inspire a global community of makers. In 2019, she founded Project Threadways, a non-profit documenting the history of American textiles and fostering dialogue on their cultural and economic impact.
A prolific author of six books, Chanin inspires conversations on preserving traditions and sustainable design. She lives and works in The Shoals community of northwest Alabama blending creativity with the values of craftsmanship and connection.
After earning a degree in Environmental Design with a focus on textiles, Chanin began her career as a designer in New York and Europe. In 2000, she returned to northwest Alabama, her childhood home, and founded Alabama Chanin, a lifestyle brand known for hand-sewn garments made with organic and recycled materials. A pioneer in slow fashion, Alabama Chanin honors textile traditions while championing sustainability.
Chanin expanded her mission by launching The School of Making, offering workshops, DIY kits, and resources that inspire a global community of makers. In 2019, she founded Project Threadways, a non-profit documenting the history of American textiles and fostering dialogue on their cultural and economic impact.
A prolific author of six books, Chanin inspires conversations on preserving traditions and sustainable design. She lives and works in The Shoals community of northwest Alabama blending creativity with the values of craftsmanship and connection.
Community
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