JOIN ME as I lead creative immersions in some of the most beautiful, culturally rich and artistically profound destinations around the world. It's a joy and honor to have adventures with other like minded souls who want to understand and deeply experience the beautiful people and beautiful places in these countries.
Over the years I have been fortunate enough to establish amazing working relationships with the finest hotels and discovered remote villages of true artisan handcrafts to learn from and partake, and develop creative workshops with other renown creatives, teachers, healers and guides.
Our trips are the perfect way to go deep into the creative cultures of far-away places, with the comfort of knowing that you’ll also experience the most amazing accommodations, food, services; all in the company of your new best travel friends.
We have a special email newsletter that focuses on these retreats and workshops! Sign up at the bottom of this page.
Here are some of the
trips that are coming up.
I hope you join us!
HANDMADE
OAXACA
Aug 18-30
2025
A Creative Cultural Immersion with Amy & Dave Butler
Questions? Please email workshops@amybutlerdesign.com.
or Call & chat with Susan: 740-587-2841.
For the first time ever we’ll have the exciting opportunity to explore beautiful Oaxaca, Mexico! Our extensive 13 day, 12 night adventure is loaded with all things Handmade! As with all of our retreats, we curate unique and personal experiences that dive into artisanal crafts and hands on creation with the artists and their families as well as absorbing the indigenous traditions of cuisine, fine art, folk art, archeology and endless markets! Our focus leans heavily into the idea of connecting directly with the culture and communities in which we interact, respectfully and holistically. This creates a unique opportunity for our guests to gain a deeper understanding and appreciation for the families and artists we meet giving us all a more authentic and a meaningful cross-cultural experience. We will balance our time between the rich colors, textures and history of Oaxaca City with experiences in the gorgeous surrounding countryside villages.
Our home base will be the intimate and colorful retreat of La Casa de las Bugambilias B & B located in the heart of Oaxaca. A creative location that captures the beauty and spirit of our inspiring surrounds! Our restful stay includes a daily, two course full breakfast featuring Oaxacan cuisine using the freshest natural ingredients and locally grown organic produce.
This Oaxaca adventure is a rich exploration of one of the most beautiful and ancient cultures in the world. Dave and I have enjoyed hand tailoring this adventure just for you! We’ve curated a unique journey for our guests where our intimate group of only 16 will be immersed in a personal experience of Oaxacan art forms and culture.
We want to thank everyone who has stayed in touch, we appreciate your passion and interest for traveling with us and are so grateful that we can now offer this beautiful experience. There is nothing like communing with kindred spirits in an ancient, magical place. We feel very blessed to get to share our love of Oaxaca with you.
NOTE: To keep a personal, intimate, & relaxed tour, we’re limiting this creative adventure to 16 travelers!
Please scroll down through this information to capture the details you’ll need to learn more about our retreat.
THANK YOU for being here!
XO Amy & Dave
HERE ARE THE DETAILS FOR HANDMADE OAXACA
A SAMPLING OF OUR ITINERARY:
* Enjoy the quiet, colorful respite of La Casa de las Bugambilias, your home away from home in the heart of Oaxaca!
* Experience an exclusive “collector’s tour” of Oaxaca’s finest weavers and embroiderers as we visit remote villages to meet the artists and their families creating these heritage textiles. We’ll learn about the history, motifs, and how the fabric and dyes are created. This deep dive immerses us into the extensive cultural history of Oaxaca cloth.
* Visit a remarkable ancient Zapotec city, with a unique genealogy of rulers and well restored palaces with extraordinary artwork! Then drive to the top of a near by mountain to see the amazing calcified water falls at Hierve el Agua where we will hike, swim and relax as we learn about the local flora and fauna.
* Spend the day in in an artist’s studio in the weaving village of Teotitlan del Valle for a full day indigo dyeing workshop & enjoy a traditional lunch prepared by a local family and immerse yourself in learning the tapestry weaving techniques of this region!
* Take an intimate tour of Oaxaca by bike highlighting artistic and historical places including the diverse, colorful murals throughout the city.
* Enjoy an unforgettable cooking class beginning with a shopping tour of the local markets to collect our ingredients and taking in a traditional Cacao experience, we will make our very own traditional meal and enjoy this homemade dinner together that we create!
* Immerse yourselves in the world of agaves & mezcal with a Mezcal Maestro who guides you through his beautiful fields and teach you about his cultivation methods & varieties of agaves. Learn about the process of making Ancestral Mezcal; followed by a tasting of 15 premium mezcals. Afterwards, you will enjoy a great home cooked lunch with hand made tortillas and locally farmed vegetables Complete your afternoon with a hand painting workshop with masters of carving and painting the traditional Oaxacan Alebrijes, spirit animals. End your day by meeting with a master potter of the Oaxacan black clay tradition in the village of San Bartolo Coyotepec.
* Submerse yourself in local color and culture by visiting the Tlacolula Sunday market where locals shop to buy and trade food and materials. And visit the historic 2,000 year old Tule Tree whose existence was chronicled by both the Aztecs and Spanish. End the afternoon exploring the Botanical Gardens that celebrate Oaxaca’s unparalleled biodiversity.
* Spend the day in the studio workshop of a master weaver where he works on the flying shuttle loom using naturally dyed fibers. Enjoy a handmade journal and bread making workshop and a homemade lunch prepared by the artists in their home. End the day with a visit to a local women’s cooperative that makes handbags and travel bags from locally woven textiles made by women in the village.
* Pamper yourself with a traditional Temazcal spa ritual, experiencing deep relaxation & healing in an herbal steam bath with a deep tissue massage.
* Learn the art of printmaking during a full day workshop that includes a delicious handmade lunch nearby.
* Visit one of the oldest ancient cities of America, Monte Alban. Built on a mountaintop by the Zapotec Civilization overlooking Oaxaca City. Enjoy a delicious lunch and visit with pottery artisans in the historic village of Atzompa
* Immerse yourself in an embroidery workshop with a master artist of embroidery from San Antonino, a village that specializes in elegant, lace-embroidery with silk and cotton.
* Take in several memorable meals throughout our experience celebrating the culturally rich & elevated gastronomy scene in Oaxaca!
* Explore the Zocolo, town center, on foot, and all of it’s colorful markets and shops that surround the city. Be inspired by the artistry, architecture and heritage evident everywhere you look! Enjoy Amy and Dave’s shopping tour our explore on your own!
WHAT ARE THE RETREAT COSTS?
The total tour cost is $10,600 for single occupancy and $9,600 for double occupancy.
(NOTE: There are only 2 available slots for single occupancy - 14 available for double occupancy)
Each fee is broken up into a series of 4 payments.
( $2,650 for single occupancy ) + ( $2,400 for double occupancy )
Payment #1 is due upon registering
Payment #2 is due February 20th
Payment #3 is due April 20th
Payment #4 is due June 20th
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What is included?
12 nights lodging at La Casa de las Bugambilias B & B, all major meals, activities during the retreat, airport transfers to / from hotels.
What is the guest responsible for?
Airline tickets, additional wine, desserts, soft drinks and snacks not included with the planned meals and entertainment. Also entry and exit requirements including passports, Covid Test Kits and masks.
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Before signing up for Handmade Oaxaca…
We ask that all potential guests read our TERMS AND CONDITIONS & TRAVEL AGREEMENT forms so you are aware of important details concerning your attendance of the retreat. Should you come on this amazing trip, we’ll need you to follow up with Susan on signing the agreement and returning a copy to her.
What happens after I am registered?
We’ll follow up with more details to support your journey. And as our trip approaches, we’ll send you helpful information to prepare you for your adventure. What we've found is once you sign up the magic already begins! In the meantime if you have any questions please reach out to Susan at workshops@amybutlerdesign.com.
What happens if the retreat sells out?
Please contact Susan at workshops@amybutlerdesign.com and let her know that you’d like to be put on the back-up list should we have any cancellations.
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STAY TUNED FOR OUR FREE INFORMATIONAL ZOOM WEBINAR
Shortly after we launch the retreat we will announce a date and time with a link for our informational meet up where we will discuss everything Handmade Oaxaca! This is the perfect space to ask a lot of questions. We are excited to support you! It’s also a beautiful space to get to know each other. We HIGHLY suggest you attend the meeting live if you can, OR we will post the link for the recording on Amy's website afterwards.
Thank you in advance for considering our retreat! If you have any questions please don’t hesitate to reach out, just email workshops@amybutlerdesign.com or call and chat with Susan, 740-587-2841.
INDIA
new dates coming soon for Feb. 2026!
We are already looking ahead to our next India adventure! Please stay tuned for dates and retreat details.
We will be taking names for our advance list of creative adventurers for our return to Jaipur and Jodhpur. If you would like to be added to our first contact list please email Susan at workshops@amybutlerdesign.com
MOROCCO
new dates coming soon for early 2027!
We are already looking ahead to our next Morocco adventure! Please stay tuned for dates and retreat details.
We will be taking names for our advance list of creative adventurers for our return to Marrakech. If you would like to be added to our first contact list please email Susan at workshops@amybutlerdesign.com
