THE CREATION RETREAT
June 22nd - 29th 2026 • Ardennes • Belgium • €7500
Applications close March 15, 2026
A 7-Day jewelry-making retreat for women ready to honor a life chapter
When a chapter of your life is to be honoured
There are chapters we live through - a celebration, a loss, a transition, an ending, a beginning - that leave an imprint on the way we move through the world. And sometimes, even long after the moment has passed, a part of it is still here. Waiting.
Life continued. You handled what needed to be handled. You grew, adapted, kept going - because that is what we do so well.
But underneath all of it, there is a small voice that has not disappeared.
A quiet “I think I need a moment.” A breath. A space to reconnect to what this chapter meant… and to who you became because of it.
Not to return to heaviness - but to acknowledge it with beauty, clarity, and softness, because it deserves to be seen, honoured, celebrated or transformed.
The kind of jewelry you can make
This retreat is intended for women feeling ready to mark a new chapter of their lives. Discovering how to weave meaning & design. Whether you wish to honour...
A personal milestone — a pregnancy, an engagement, a birthday, or the start of something new.
A professional transition — celebrating growth, completion, or a dream realised.
A relationship — a friendship, a sisterhood, a bond that deserves to be honoured.
Or a farewell — honouring someone who has left, transforming memory into a tangible keepsake.
The pillars of the retreat
Throughout the week, I’ll guide you step by step — from your first sketch to your finished creation. Together, we will translate your story into form, refining every detail until it feels exquisitely yours — balanced, intentional, and timeless. You will leave with a piece shaped by your own hands and heart — a tangible expression of your essence, crafted with care and guided with mastery.
Learning & creation
Beauty & harmony
Every detail of your stay is designed to restore you and awaken inspiration. The château holds a quiet grandeur — warmth in its spa, stillness in its light, and beauty in every gesture. Meals arrive as rituals of care, shared around arranged floral tables. Here, beauty is not decoration but a language — one that invites reflection, harmony, and creative flow.
Connection & presence
The retreat gathers an intimate circle of eight women — each on her own journey of creation. Connection unfolds naturally: in shared meals, quiet focus, and the silent harmony of designing side by side.
You may find your own story reflected in another’s vision, or feel something awaken within you. Together, the group becomes a living symphony — each piece personal, yet part of a greater story of beauty and belonging.
This retreat is held as a premium, all-inclusive experience, created with deep care for each woman who joins. It reflects both your jewelry-making journey and the nourishing rhythm of a week together in the château.
Where creation feels effortless
As soon as you arrive, you will discover a rhythm that holds you.
Each morning begins with optional yoga, designed around the energy of the day. Light breakfast will be served with care—seasonal, nourishing, beautiful.
Then you will move into creation, where Emma will guide you step by step.
You will learn to translate your story into symbols. To sketch with ease. To carve wax with your own hands and day by day witness your jewelry being shaped.
You will feel held in an environment where kindness, guidance, meaning & beauty are what matters most.
And days are made of awe, inspiration & joy
Between studio sessions, you'll have time to:
Soak in the outdoor hot tub overlooking the forest
Walk the grounds of the château
Rest in the spa (hammam, sauna, relaxation room)
Share meals around tables arranged with fresh flowers
Connect with the other women in your circle
Every evening, dinner will feel like a beautiul ceremony. Three chefs will prepare experience like dishes that feel like love on a plate, served with themes & flower arrangement.
After dinner, you might gather for a film in the vintage home cinema, or simply retreat to your private room to reflect.
By the end of the week, you will leave with a finished piece—cast in gold or silver, polished by your hands, ready to wear.
The jewelry you will create
You may arrive with a clear vision or simply a desire to honor a life moment.
Before the retreat, Emma will help you explore your ideas so your design feels both personal and achievable.
Throughout the week you will:
• Gather inspiration through sketches, textures, and memories.
• Refine your design with Emma’s guidance.
• Carve your model in wax and prepare it for casting in gold or silver.
• Add polish, texture, or stone-setting details as you wish.
No experience is required — only the desire to slow down and create something that feels deeply meaningful. Your finished piece will be a symbol you can wear for years to come, a reminder of beauty, presence, and your own creative power.
This retreat is held as a premium, all-inclusive experience, created with deep care for each woman who joins. It reflects both your jewelry-making journey and the nourishing rhythm of a week together in the château.
About Emma Olyff your host,
founder & creator of Emwa Jewelry
Emma Olyff is a jewelry designer, educator, and guide from a lineage of artists and artisans — sculptors, garden architects, and seamstresses. Her work blends craftsmanship with sensitivity, turning personal stories into lasting symbols.
She has guided over a hundred students in Europe and the United States to find their creative voice through presence and patience.
“My role is to help you listen inwardly for what wants to take shape — and to support you in bringing it into form with confidence and care.”
For Emma, these retreats are the heart of her work: a space where creation, storytelling, and community meet in the most inspiring ways.
What past students say
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Emma is such a wonderful teacher. She's thoughtful and intentional in everything she does, creating a warm and welcoming space to learn and explore. Not only is she kind and encouraging but also incredibly knowledgeable and is always ready to help find creative solutions when things get tricky. Emma takes the time to get to know each student and is very generous sharing her own jewelry-making journey, which is always so inspiring to hear. She has a special gift for helping you turn your creative ideas into something tangible and beautiful, and she's exactly the kind of teacher you want by your side as you bring your creativity to life. I can't recommend her enough!!
Avery, Asheville, 2025.
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I had such a wonderful experience at the jewelry workshop with Emma! She explained every step clearly and made the whole process easy to follow, even for those of us who had never made jewelry before. Emma is incredibly detail-oriented and patient-she took the time to answer all our questions and ensure everyone felt confident and comfortable. What made the workshop even more special was how she shared stories about her life abroad and her journey with jewelry making. It added such a personal and inspiring touch to the experience. I left feeling creative, relaxed, and proud of the pieces I made! I highly recommend this workshop to anyone, regardless of experience —it's the perfect mix of learning, creativity, and connection
Alexis, Black Mountain, 2025
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The jewelry workshop my daughter and I attended was both fun and wonderfully informative. Emma is incredibly knowledgeable about her craft and a patient, engaging teacher. The atmosphere was relaxed, creative, and made the experience truly enjoyable.
Jenny, Black Mountain, 2025
This retreat invites you into another rhythm — one that feels softer, slower, and deeply nourishing. Presence arises here not as something to chase, but as something that gently returns when you give it space.
As the noise of daily life fades, something subtle awakens. Time expands. The mind clears. You begin to notice again — the sound of birds at dawn, the warmth of a meal prepared with care, the light moving across old stone walls. Moments become whole again, and creation flows with ease.
Through your hands, memories resurface — the faces you love, the strength that has carried you until now. As you carve and shape your design, something within you softens too. Each gesture becomes sacred, and from it, your piece takes form — carrying your story in gold or silver, just as your life carries its meaning in time.
Being together deepens the experience. Around shared meals and silent hours of creation, connection happens naturally — not through words, but through presence. It’s a return to what has always mattered: simplicity, care, and the joy of making something real.
And when the week ends, you carry more than a piece of jewelry — you carry a quiet sense of peace, a reminder that life, too, can be shaped slowly, with intention and grace.
About the philosophy
This retreat is held as a premium, all-inclusive experience, created with deep care for each woman who joins. It reflects both your jewelry-making journey and the nourishing rhythm of a week together in the château.
About the location & the host
The Summer 2026 Creation Retreat will take place at a stunning château in the Belgian Ardennes hosted by Arlet, a premium house tailoring incredible experiences during high-end retreats.
In the chateau, you will feel warmly welcomed and in awe with each detail. From the spa + outdoor hot bath to the beautifully appointed rooms, every detail has been thoughtfully designed to invite a deep sense of awe and inspiration.
Arlet, held by Marie, will help Emma ensure that your entire stay feels safe, held and comforting. The meals, the spaces, the rhythm of the days—all is designed with care so you can simply be present.
Included in the retreat are:
This retreat is held as a premium, all-inclusive experience, created with deep care for each woman who joins. It reflects both your jewelry-making journey and the nourishing rhythm of a week together in the château.
Accommodation
– 8 days, 7 nights in a Château in the Ardennes [value 1750.-)
– Private luxurious room with double bed and en-suite bathroom
– Full access to spa (hammam, sauna, outdoor hot tub, relaxation room) and pool
– Vintage home cinema for evenings of rest and inspiration
– Seasonal nourishing & beautifully presented meals prepared by three chefs [value 1500.-)
Stay & Rhythm (all optional & included)
– Guided circles to open and close the week [value 750.-)
– 45 min. group yoga class every morning around the energy of the day [value 750.-)
– Forest walks in the surrounding area of the Chateau
– One massage per guest offered, additional available on demand [value 175.-]
Workshops & Creation
– Guided custom jewelry experience from start to finish [value 7500.-)
– 20hours of step-by-step guidance with your design and making process [value 5000.-)
– + conversations & workshops about beauty, creativity, and presence (value 2500.-)
– Materials, tools, and creation supplies [value 2500.-]
Together, these elements represent a total value beyond 15.000 .- a reflection of the time, care, and artistry that define this experience.
Your investment, is of 7500.- (same as a custom design with Emma) including the entire journey.
Payable in: 1x 7500 3x 2750 6x 1350
Limited to 8 participants
The schedule
Each day is designed with a rhythm that weaves together creation, inspiration, and rest. There is space to work on your jewel, time to share in circle, and moments to simply enjoy the beauty of the Ardennes.
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Welcome to the château, time to settle into your private room
Gentle opening circle in the evening to set intentions and connect with the group
Shared dinner of local, seasonal, healthy dishes prepared by our chefs
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Daily local, seasonal + organic daily breakfast, collation, lunch & dinner prepared with care by our chefs.
Optional morning yoga (45 min) aligned with the theme of the day.
Guided exercises to connect with your story, symbols, and inspiration
Sketching, mood boards, and refining your design concept
One-on-one design conversations with Emma
Time to meet, relax + prepare for the next day
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Daily local, seasonal + organic daily breakfast, collation, lunch & dinner prepared with care by our chefs.
Optional morning yoga (45 min) aligned with the theme of the day.
Introduction to traditional techniques, tools, and materials.
Begin carving your design in wax, with individual guidance throughout the afternoon
Evening reflection or quiet rest
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Daily local, seasonal + organic daily breakfast, collation, lunch & dinner prepared with care by our chefs.
Optional morning yoga (45 min) aligned with the theme of the day.
Deep work on your wax model, refining textures and details.
Afternoon forest walk for integration and inspiration.
Gentle evening circle to share progress.
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Daily local, seasonal + organic daily breakfast, collation, lunch & dinner prepared with care by our chefs.
Optional morning yoga (45 min) aligned with the theme of the day.
Your wax models are cast into silver or gold
Guided polishing, texturing, and refining work begins
Relaxed evening in the spa, by the pool, or in the cinema
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Daily local, seasonal + organic daily breakfast, collation, lunch & dinner prepared with care by our chefs.
Optional morning yoga (45 min) aligned with the theme of the day.
Closing circle: sharing the story of your jewelry and reflecting on the journey
Free afternoon for integration, spa, or walks in nature
Farewell dinner — a festive evening meal celebrating your creations and the circle we’ve shared
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Final breakfast
Farewell gathering & departures by 9:00
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The retreat takes place in the quiet beauty of the Belgian Ardennes, within a historic château surrounded by forests and gardens. A place to slow down, connect, and feel deeply inspired. The exact location will be share to the appliants during our discovery call. We want to keep the surprise!
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Travel is simple. Guests make their own way to the retreat, but we can help coordinate carpooling with other participants or arrange a pickup from nearby train stations or airports if needed.
Whether you come by car, train, or shared ride, arriving is easy — and from the moment you step onto the grounds, everything else is fully taken care of.
The location is nearby the city of Bouillon, and the closest Airports are Charleroi & Bruxelles Zaventem. All necessary details will be shared upon your participation. -
This experience is designed for a small circle of eight women. You may come on your own, with a friend, or alongside a loved one, and you will be welcomed into a group that quickly feels like community. Some arrive to mark a life moment, others to rest or to rekindle creativity — but all are received with the same presence and care.
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The retreat is held as an intimate women’s circle, with a maximum of eight participants. Most women come alone, though occasionally two may know each other beforehand.
It is a space for kind, mindful, and creative women — which is why I personally review each application before confirming attendance. This gentle curation ensures the group feels harmonious, supportive, and inspiring for everyone.
There is a natural balance between shared moments — circles, meals, and the quiet joy of creating side by side — and personal time, where you may rest, walk in nature, or simply be with yourself. Group sharing is always invited, never forced.
Whether you already feel confident in your creativity or are discovering this side of yourself for the first time, you will be guided and supported at every step, in a way that honors your rhythm and your voice.
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You’ll receive a detailed guide after booking. But in short: bring soft, comfortable clothes, a notebook for your reflections, shoes for walking in the forest, and anything small that helps you feel at home.
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The retreat naturally adapts to the women who gather. If even one participant is a non-French speaker, we will hold the retreat in English, while I can always offer more detailed guidance in French when helpful. If the group is composed entirely of French-speaking women, then the retreat will flow in French.
In every case, the intention is the same: that each woman feels fully included, supported, and at ease.
F.A.Q.
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All meals are prepared for you by our chefs, using seasonal and organic ingredients, with care for every dietary preference — plant-based, gluten-free, or omnivore. Breakfasts, lunches, and three-course dinners are served at set times, always nourishing and beautifully presented, with morning and afternoon snacks to keep your energy gentle and steady. Every table is dressed with flowers, making each meal not only food, but a moment of care and beauty shared together.
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Yes, absolutely. We take this seriously. Upon booking, you’ll be invited to share anything we should know—so that every detail can be adjusted to your needs, in advance.
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None at all. The process is intimate, slow, and entirely guided. Whether it is your first time working with your hands or wether you already have experience, you will be fully supported at each step.
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Yes. The retreat is thought so you can each create your own personal piece, or collaborate on one together if you come accompanied. It’s up to you. We will discuss this in your initial call so everything is tailored to your wishes.
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Each project is different. Some guests come with a clear idea, others with a memory, a color, or a symbol. Together, we co-create a design that feels right for you.
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You are not alone in the process—I will be by your side every step of the way. Whether it is your first time working with your hands or you feel unsure about your design, you will be guided with patience, kindness, and expert care. This is not about perfection—it is about presence, meaning, and the quiet joy of creating something that feels true to you. We go at your rhythm. And if needed, I will lovingly shape certain steps by hand, so that your piece reflects your story—beautifully and faithfully.
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All tools and materials are included in your retreat experience, covering up to 5g of recycled gold or silver as well as the option of a stone setting if you wish.
As we design your piece together, I will provide transparent estimates should you desire additional materials. You are always free to choose whether to stay within the included range, or to invest in extras that bring your vision to life.
In most cases, the included range is more than sufficient. Adjustments are only occasionally needed — for example, if someone wishes to create a very large gold ring (beyond chevalière size), or to incorporate high-end stones such as larger diamonds.
This way, you can design with freedom, knowing everything is clear and tailored to your choices.
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Yes. Your fee includes:
– 7 nights in a private room with en-suite bathroom, within the château
– Access to the spa (hammam, sauna, outdoor hot tub, relaxation room) and pool
– Seasonal meals prepared by professional chefs (all dietary needs accommodated), plus morning and afternoon snacks
– Women’s circles to open and close the retreat
– Daily guidance and creation sessions with Emma, including the full design and crafting process
– All tools and materials (including up to 5g of recycled gold or silver, and stone setting if desired)
– Optional workshops such as floral design or seasonal cooking
– Space for restoration: yoga, forest walks, massage, or quiet time in the gardens and salons -
The investment for the retreat includes:
- Accommodation: 8 days / 7 nights at the Château in a private en suite double bedroom, with access to spa, massage, and pool facilities.
- Culinary Experience: Chef-prepared meals (three daily seasonal and locally sourced dishes, plus nourishing snacks at 10h and 16h).
- Daily Activities: Optional morning yoga, guided forest walks, and access to a vintage movie theater room.
- Workshops: More than 20 hours of in-depth guidance from Emma throughout the stay.
- Creative awakening: Over 10 hours of workshop & creative guidance with Emma around symbols, stories, and how to infuse your vision into your design.
- Specialist Support if needed: Personalized assistance from a specialized stone setter.
- Materials & Tools: All professional tools (brought to the Château for the group of 8 participants), as well as metals and stones required for your creation.
- Your Finished Piece: Your very own custom-designed piece of jewelry, completed during the retreat.
The investment is 7500.- payable in flexible installments.
