Creating Keepsakes, Celebrating Moments Big & Small

Join Janine Smith and Eric Allen Montgomery for a day of reflection, creativity, and connection. This one-day mini-retreat features an immersive four-hour assemblage workshop where Eric will guide you in creating a one-of-a-kind Memory Box filled with your own treasured mementos artfully assembled for display.

Throughout the day, you'll also be invited into gentle, meaningful exercises designed to deepen your connection with memory and gratitude. Enjoy a delicious hot lunch with a fresh salad bar and dessert, and end the experience with a closing circle, offering space for reflection and sharing.

What’s Included in Memory Box Assemblage Workshop

We will provide a pre-painted wooden memory box with a glass front (interior dimensions approximately 19 x 29 x 6* cm ( 7” × 11” x 2 3/8”*), along with a wide selection of decorative materials to help you design and assemble your unique creation.

*the 6cm / 2 3/8” depth is the important one if you wish to have the glass panel fit in place. 

Bigger pieces can be considered, but your finished work won’t be “under glass”.

You will bring your own mementos—the personal treasures that tell your story in three dimensions. These might be photographs, letters, small keepsakes, or other objects that hold special significance. The heart of every Memory Box lies in the items you choose, as they are what spark memories and give your creation its meaning. Trust your instincts and choose what feels authentic and true to your own story.

Some Memory Box themes to ignite your imagination!

A legacy of love (creating a box for a loved one)

Places that shaped me (travel, events, places lived)

Heritage (family recipes, photos, heirlooms)

Gratitude box (focus on joy, experiences, accomplishments, blessings, special people)

Colour flooded box (choose one colour and collect everything imaginable in that hue)

Moments that matter (can be from everyday moments that become unforgettable, and weddings, births, milestones, achievements)

Celebration of a life lived (mementos of someone who has crossed over)

Preparation with Intention

Two weeks before the retreat, we'll gather for a 30-minute Zoom call to explore themes, share ideas, and help you begin envisioning your Memory Box. This will give you time to thoughtfully gather the memorabilia and meaningful objects you'd like to include. The experience begins well before the retreat day!