Kiala Givehand -- LifeAlchemist
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  • Home
  • WRITE
    • Writing Into Winter
    • Wisdom Keepers
  • DISCOVER
    • Human Design Readings
    • Astrology Readings
  • LEARN
    • FREE Artsy Meetups
    • Intro to Runes
    • Living Oracle
    • Tarot Saves the Day
    • Intro to Lenormand
    • Deconstructing The I Ching >
      • I Ching Study
    • Playing Cards Class
    • Magical Playbook
    • Vision Board Cards
  • Pull Pen Paint
  • SoulCollageĀ®
    • Intro to SoulCollage®
    • SoulSeeds™ Info
    • Dream Work & SoulCollage®
    • Lunar Language
    • Mix It Up
  • About
    • 19 Things About Me
    • Contact >
      • Newsletter Signup
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REGISTRATION IS CLOSED
Please read the page carefully for all the details you need to make an informed decision.
Be sure to read the refund and cancellation policy carefully. 
What do you think happens when two girls raised in the South pack up their art supplies, their handmade journals, and their mason jars? Well, if their names are Tiffany and Kiala, the world better look out. Things are bound to get messy, fun, and wild. 

Introducing The G.R.I.T.S Tour
​with Kiala Givehand & Tiffany Goff-Smith

This creative retreat experience will have you filled with ideas for YEARS to come. Put the sassy-classy-gritty style of Tiffany with the soulful-earthy-woo-woo style of Kiala; mix in a double dose of high energy and southern charm and you get the G.R.I.T.S. Tour.  
​♡

Join two mixed media, bookbinding, gesso slinging, artists for the adventure of a lifetime. We're strapping on our big girl panties and busting out all of our favorite techniques for this first retreat. From gelli printing & image manipulation to creative scavenger hunts & handmade books, this second stop on the retreat tour will be a Southern meets South experience.
​♡
And yes, seats are limited so we can love on you like a real Southern lady does -- ONLY space for 22 creative souls!!

RETREAT DETAILS

August 4-6
Watertown, South Dakota
We will spend 3 days in the studio of artist Jennifer Stone.
The studio is located about halfway between Sioux Falls, SD and Minneapolis, MN. 

We suggest checking both airports.

Thursday August 4
Paper Play & Manipulation

Class begins at 9AM
Arrive by 8am to setup your space and mingle. 
We provide lunch.

We end at 4PM.
We end at 4PM and head to OPTIONAL dinner together. 

Friday August 5
More Techniques & Book Construction

Class starts at 9AM and runs until 4PM. 
We provide lunch. 


Saturday August 6
Journal Play and Creative Exploration

Class starts at 9AM and runs until 3PM. 
Lunch is on your own today!
From 3PM to 5PM we will have a show and share. 
After our studio hours we will gather for an OPTIONAL closing dinner and farewell. 
​
Limited to 22 Participants
REGISTRATION CLOSED

WHAT TO EXPECT

Kiala and Tiffany are seasoned teachers with two very different styles and approaches to art making and bookbinding. You can expect to get a taste of each style, the opportunity to explore YOUR own approach to self-expression, and lots of time to blend it all together into a handmade journal with painted, messy papers & fabrics. From the time we start to the moment we leave, there will be something for you to discover and uncover. We've planned tons of techniques and exercises to help you build your creative muscles. 

Our creative home for the retreat will be the beautiful and spacious studio of Mixed Media Artist Jennifer Stone.
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RETREAT CONTENT

NOTE: Subject to shift based on time.

We will teach, share, and provide experiences with the following techniques: 
Bookbinding
Creative journaling
Messy Mark Making
Painted Paper Techniques
Contemporary Printmaking
Slow Stitching & Thread Play

Fun Ways to Build Your Stash
Snippets of ​Serendipity & Giblet Exchange
Personalized Collage Goodness
​Fabric Play & Manipulation
 

Self-Discovery & Healing With Art
Storytelling & Personal Narrative
Art as Meditation
Finding Your Voice on The Page
Unleashing The Muse
Inspired Acts of Joyful Creation 

OTHER TIDBITS

Our retreat begins with an intro / orientation to the weekend and our opening circle.
We ask that you do your absolute best to be there when we begin. 


Other activities and aspects of this retreat are -- open and honest conversations about our creative journeys, artistic desires, and the chance to pick our brains about building and running a successful creative business. 

G.R.I.T.S. also stands for Gratitude Radically Inspires The Soul so expect us to give you the opportunity to listen in to your soul and be inspired by your own gratitude and ways of seeing what life has gifted you with.

THE JOURNEY WITHIN

WHAT WE HOPE YOU WILL LEAVE FEELING
​
loved
supported
nourished
rejuvenated
witnessed
challenged
inspired
​motivated
accountable​
ready to create & thrive
WHAT YOU CAN EXPECT
​deep and honest conversation
safe space to explore new techniques
opportunities to practice and play
creative exchange with other creatives
guidance on how to play with the tools
suggestions for moving your art forward
​time to commune with nature
exercises for reconnecting to your personal style
invitations to creatively express yourself
practices for accessing your inner child & wise wisdom
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ACCOMODATIONS & PRICING

For this tour stop, you will need to secure your own travel and lodging. This is NOT included in the price of the retreat.
Because the retreat will take place at the home studio of Jennifer Stone, we will only provide the exact address once you have registered for the retreat. If you need to price your lodging and travel before securing your spot, here's what we suggest: 

Look up Watertown, South Dakota to see the nearest airports.
It's a relatively small town but you should check flights to Sioux Falls, South Dakota as a starting place.

COST OF THE RETREAT
Your investment for this retreat is $800 and includes snacks, coffee & tea each day, lunch two of the three days, and kits pulled from the stash of both Kiala & Tiffany (and access to a few other supplies from our personal studios).

A
NON-REFUNDABLE deposit of $350 is included in the price of the retreat.
​

If you cancel by the cancellation deadline (July 15th), you will receive all but the $350 deposit.
Retreat spots are on a FIRST COME, FIRST SERVED basis.
All money will be due on or before July 25th, 2022. ​

HOP ON THE TOUR

REGISTRATION CLOSED

INCLUDED IN THE RETREAT RATE:


Lunch (Thursday & Friday)
Snacks, coffee, and tea each day
A variety of supplies and materials
Creative Kits from Kiala and Tiffany
Pre-Retreat materials and preparation guidance
An optional Q&A with us about building a business with your creative works. 
 Other G.R.I.T.S. Tour Surprises

DOES NOT INCLUDE

Airfare or travel expenses to and from the retreat.
Lodging

Additional snacks you crave.
​Dinners
(You are welcome to join us for dinner on Thursday and Saturday nights. Bring your spouse, partner, etc. Your dinner is on you.)

ABOUT TIFFANY & KIALA

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Tiff & Kiala on Date Night with the Hubbies in Pensacola
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Kiala & Tiff in Florala
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Josh, Tiff, Kiala, & Damon on their first date night.
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Kiala & Tiff in Colorado
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Tiffany, GG (Kiala's Mom), & Kiala
The masterminds behind the G.R.I.T.S. Tour have a beautiful story of friendship and shared joy over creative exploration & expression, a love for living chem-free, and finding more ways to laugh and love uncontrollably. They live about 40 minutes from each other and find 100 reasons a week to text, Zoom, and meet up for date nights with their husbands (who don't mind chatting about philosophical things while the ladies talk art, life, and business). 

Tiffany has been making art since she could move her little fingers and spends as much time as possible creating (from DIY home decor to handmade journals). She has a thriving YouTube channel with more than 400 tutorials and counting. Tiffany's art has been published in several magazines including Art Journaling Magazine and Somerset Studio. Her most recent brain child is The Ugly Art Club where the mission is to provide a safe space for people to show up, create, and celebrate their art. If you want to see how inspiring Tiffany's energy can be, check out the hashtag #tiffmademedoit and you'll see thousands of grateful creatives. 

Kiala has tried just about every creative outlet you can imagine, but landed on bookbinding & writing as her true loves. Creativity has been a part of Kiala's life since her mother made her write stories to keep her occupied as a child. It transferred over to 18 years of teaching pre-K to college students, publishing poetry & prose, and building a creative business with more than 100 courses under her belt. She is the creative visionary behind the Mixed Media Inspiration Deck™, Book-in-a-Day, Pull • Pen • Paint, Sacred Makers™, and an impressive collection of fountain pens. Kiala is obsessed with astrology, Human Design, sacred geometry, intuitive guidance systems and anything that helps her understand herself (and others) better. She is fueled by love, joy, and sweet tea with ginger.

These two creative souls are determined to spread joy and wonder to those they teach, nurture, and support on their creative journey. If you get the opportunity or invitation to feel their energy up close and in person, TAKE IT...you will not be disappointed. Creative empowerment and liberation is the mission. The G.R.I.T.S. Tour is just the beginning. ​

CANCELLATION & OTHER POLICIES

There are no refunds for this retreat. Because space is limited and we account for each participant in the food, supplies, and extras, we ask that you purchase mindfully. Check your calendar. Check for flights or car rentals. Make arrangements for your children, husband, and pets, then book your spot and celebrate.
 
Here are a few other details to help you make an informed decision:

1. This is a jam packed weekend filled with lots of time for art, conversation, and playful exploration. It's more of an experience than a sleep-for-hours-each-day kinda retreat. 

2. There will be ample time to learn and play, repeat techniques so you remember them clearly, share your creative works with the group, and get assistance with your projects.

3. We are teachers and business owners who also train and teach other teachers, so we are happy if you want to use some of our techniques in your classes and workshops, we just ask that you GIVE CREDIT when applicable. As mixed media artists we all use similar processes, materials, supplies, and tools. Where we find our uniqueness is in the combination of those items. If we share things that are unique to how we do something, we will make sure you know and ask you to act with integrity in every possible way should you attempt to teach or share it with your students (even if you are sharing it for free).
We are fine if you want to use our techniques to create items you will sell or gift to others. In fact, we encourage you to make and sell your art. 

4. Your deposit is non-refundable. If you pay in full, $350 will be non-refundable. If you request a refund within 10 days of payment, we will refund 50% of your payment. After 10 days, we will give you the option to transfer your payment to another person for this retreat only. 

If you still have questions, please ask us. We are eager to help you make the right decision for this retreat. 
xoxo

Kiala & Tiff
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© Kiala Givehand, 2012-2025. All rights reserved.
Everything on this website, including the written words, photos, and artwork are the creative and intellectual property of Kiala Givehand, unless otherwise noted. I'm a small business owner and I share as much as I can to help others live creatively. This is NOT a hobby for me, this is my art, my work, my life. Please don't copy, reproduce, or download any of my artistic works or writings without contacting me for permission. Please feel free to link to this site and notify me when you do. Thanks, ya'll!!
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