Gathering together with new and old friends to be creative is a fun way to connect! A unique aspect of the Grateful Girl Gathering is our DIY sessions.
These breakout sessions are presented by creative leaders in their field and offer our attendees a fun time of learning something new and fellowshipping with fellow attendees.
Each attendee can choose one DIY session that interests them when they register for the conference. (Tip: Register early to make sure you get your first choice, but no worries if you don’t! They are all great!)
Stay tuned for the Concord and Spruce Pine locations DIY Session info!
See our DIY Sessions for Concord 2026 below.
Exodus Roller
Presenter: Kendall Chandler, The Quill and Honey
In our DIY session, we will be creating an Exodus Roller. During our time together we will talk about the holy anointing oils from Exodus chapter 30, and see the beautiful connections of the Old and New Testaments while making this perfume roller together.
About Kendall: The beginnings of my business came when I was a young mother, wife and schoolteacher feeling frustrated to find budget-friendly natural products that were safe, effective and aesthetically pleasing for my family. I purchased an essential oils kit and made it my mission to know how to replace every product in my home with something I could make myself. I began teaching classes in person and online, working to help other women do the same. Eventually, I had friends and family asking to purchase my homemade goods rather than make their own, and The Quill and Honey was born!
Throughout those years, I just felt that the Lord had placed a drive in my soul for something I couldn’t see yet. So I just kept making, kept learning, kept digging, kept dreaming.
In 2022, Brian and I made the decision that I would resign from my teaching position and pursue The Quill and Honey full time. We had no idea what was in store, but trusted God to direct our steps. What He orchestrated for us was MORE than we could have imagined, and on August 1, 2022 we moved into 18 S Main Street in Mars Hill, NC.
It’s more than I could have dreamed and I can’t believe this is my life! Ephesians 3:21-21 says it best:
Now unto him that is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that worketh in us, Unto him be glory!
Cookie Decorating
Presenter: Eryn@ Sugar Side Up Cookie Co.
Hi, I’m Eryn! I am so thrilled to have you joining me for a cookie decorating class! I am a cookie artist and instructor who discovered a love for decorating sugar cookies in 2021. It’s the perfect blend of things I’m passionate about – baking, creativity, and celebrating everyday moments. It has been a joy to create custom cookies for weddings, birthday parties, baptisms, baby showers, graduations, birthdays, and everything in between.
My favorite part of this journey is teaching others and sharing everything I’ve learned along the way. Our class will give you an opportunity to hear about different techniques and cookie decorating methods and then try them out for yourself. You will receive all the supplies you need to create a beautiful set of iced sugar cookies designed with the Grateful Girl Gathering in mind.
When I’m not busy baking in the kitchen, you can find me on walks with my husband, Nick and our Goldendoodle, Ruby, browsing around HomeGoods, spoiling my nieces and nephews, practicing my sewing skills, or checking a home organization project off my list. I am grateful to be able to use the gifts God has given me and look forward to creating alongside you!
Instagram: sugarsideup.cookieco
Sourdough 101
Presenter: Ellie
Hey, I’m Ellie! I’m so excited to have you joining me for a sourdough class. I first got into sourdough as a “COVID hobby,” and it quickly became something I genuinely love. I wouldn’t call myself an expert, and I think that’s part of what makes it so fun and approachable. Sourdough is a process full of learning and experimenting, and enjoying the little wins along the way.
One of the most rewarding parts of sourdough baking for me is knowing exactly what goes into my food and getting to have a hand in the process…literally. There’s something really special about creating something so simple and nourishing from just a few basic ingredients. It’s a slower, more intentional way of baking that makes the end result feel even more meaningful.
I look forward to taking some of the intimidation out of the sourdough process! In this class, we’ll walk through the basics together, talk about simple techniques, and give you the confidence (and a starter!) to start baking at home. You’ll get hands-on experience and leave with an understanding of how to care for your starter and create your own beautiful loaves.
Watercolor Painting
Presenter: Jennifer
This DIY session will give attendees the opportunity to learn about the techniques of watercolor painting as they paint their own take home creation.
Our presenter Jennifer loves many different forms and mediums in art but has recently concentrated her time with watercolors.
As a NC native, she is especially drawn to the landscape of the Carolina coast for much of her inspiration. Florals are also a favorite with her, vacillating between realism and impressionism. As she paints different subjects in nature, the beauty of God’s creation brings peace and unity with His Spirit.
When she isn’t painting, she enjoys teaching watercolor:
“I love seeing the spark and satisfaction that people experience when they are creating and playing with art. When I introduce painting to someone and they discover a hidden talent and love for painting, that is the best feeling! There is just something therapeutic about art that can make you feel more human and connected to God and I want to share that.”
Jennifer resides in Concord, NC with her husband Matthew.
Clay Earrings
Presenter: Dainty Dogwood
In this DIY workshop, we’ll create beautiful and unique clay earrings while reflecting on how the Lord uses everything for His glory. We will learn like God showed Jeremiah, that nothing is wasted. Jeremiah 18:1-6 NIV
We are Stephanie and Maria, two Carolina Army veterans who met in the service—completely orchestrated by God. In a setting where we were often the most feminine in the room, we longed for a creative outlet that felt beautiful and life-giving.
In 2019, we walked into a small boutique and saw the cutest earrings. We thought, “We can make those!” We didn’t even know what they were made of. Shortly after, we gave it our best effort, and they were honestly… not great. What we didn’t know was that we didn’t have the right tools and we didn’t realize an underlying truth: clay can be reshaped and repurposed.
Side note: we saved those first pieces to remind us how our journey started, and displayed them at every event. We laughed at our poor attempt and moved on. Then COVID happened. Suddenly, it felt like we had infinite time, so we committed to learning and refining the craft. That’s when Dainty Dogwood was born.
Our business became a way to connect with other women, create together, and enjoy something both meaningful and affordable. One of our favorite things about working with clay was this: nothing went to waste. Every mistake could be turned into something beautiful. One thing we learned was that a piece of clay created months before that didn’t quite fit suddenly completed a new thing.
We spent seasons doing local markets and experienced so much joy during the clay earring boom. Eventually, life shifted, and we stepped away from the business. But we’ve come to see that this season has purpose too.
“There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under the heavens:”
Ecclesiastes 3:1 NIV
Scripture Doodle
Presenter: April Knight
April Knight, artist and encourager, is the founder of Scripturedoodle and Well Crafted Retreats. She feels most alive when producing resources, teaching workshops and leading retreats designed to help people meet God in a creative way. She’s been drinking half mugs of black coffee since 2016- she loves people, laughing and the power of a story. April and her husband Robert have four children and serve at The Gathering Church in Asheville, NC.
Scripturedoodle is the perfect way to help you engage with God in a creative way. In this workshop you will learn the easy step by step process of taking a Bible verse and turning it into a scripture illustration. April will share two different ways to create a scripturedoodle as well as share some art technique and color composition tips. You will leave this workshop with a strong foundation of how to get started in your Scripturedoodle journey and even share it with the ones you love!
Diving Deeper with Jordan Anglin
Presenter: Jordan Anglin, Come Alive Ministry
We love our Diving Deeper Breakout Sessions. If you would rather have a time of diving deeper into the Word with our speakers during our DIY Sessions, this is for you! You will love Jordan and spending time with her in a small group setting.
Diving Deeper with Rachel Edwards
Presenter: Rachel Edwards
We love our Diving Deeper Breakout Sessions. If you would rather have a time of diving deeper into the Word with our speakers during our DIY Sessions, this is for you! Rachel will meet with you in a small group setting to dive deeper into the Bible and His Word
Diving Deeper with Allison Allen
Presenter: Allison Allen
We love our Diving Deeper Breakout Sessions. If you would rather have a time of diving deeper into the Word with our speakers during our DIY Sessions, this is for you! Our Featured Speaker Allison Allen is amazing in our Bible Breakout setting! You will love spending this extra time with Allison before she takes the stage!
