“The heart that gives, gathers.”

-lao tzu

Upcoming Events

  • Reiki & Sound Bath Restorative Evening / Thursday, May 9th 6pm

    Join me and Samantha Wall of Groundwork for a restorative evening that will include a healing sound bath meditation experience by Samantha and Reiki during the sound bath offered by me to each person. This event will be intimate with a max of 10 people. Relaxing mat, blanket, pillow and bolster will be provided. $30 per person.

    Location:

    Grow Collective, 118 North Main Street, Oconomowoc, WI 53066

Self-Guided On-Demand Classes to Support Creative Expression, Healing & Spiritual Discovery.

You receive access instantly and the classes will be available to you for one year.

  • Make Fabric Meditation Books

    Learn to create slow, hand stitched books with a process that is calming, meditative, intuitive and healing. I share many techniques you can use to create fabric books and different ways to incorporate nature to create personal meaning. All techniques are simple and require no previous stitching experience.

    Over 35 lessons included to guide you through creating books that resonate with you.

    $55.00

  • Make a Slow Stitched Contemplation Cloth

    We'll work with soft fabrics and thread to gently go inward, process emotions and thoughts and return to stillness and silence for healing and wisdom. This practice is intuitive and very calming.

    $45.00

  • By the Light of a Poem: A 30 Day Soulful Writing Journey

    In this class, I guide you through a simple daily writing practice to discover what wants to move up and out of you on to the page. I share 30 poems on light and darkness along with prompts to spark your writing each day. This is intuitive writing. The focus is on being present, open, receptive and allowing ourselves to feel and express what emerges in the moment.

    $45.00

  • Make Wabi Sabi Mixed Media Books

    Play with paper, fabric, ink, stitching, found nature and more while exploring the beautifully rich Japanese philosophy of wabi sabi that is rooted in Zen Buddhism. This class is all about exploring art making as a spiritual practice.

    $55.00

  • Explore How Creative Work Can Be a Practice of Zen Peacemaking

    In this workshop, learn about the Buddhist practice of Zen Peacemaking and how we can apply the three principles or tenets to our creative work. The three tenets are: Not Knowing, Bearing Witness & Loving Action.

    Included is a 50+ page e-book you can use as an ongoing resource to support your creative journey.

    $35.00

  • Soul Messages: A Found Poetry Workshop

    Explore an intuitive, playful way of creating, discovering & receiving poetic soul messages from gathered words we cut from magazines. Expand and deepen your relationship with language for self-expression, gentle healing and inner guidance. This is a meditation practice that can open us to deeper knowing and a connection to our subtle sensitivities.

    $45.00

  • Zen and the Art of Nature Weaving

    Learn to create beautiful, simple weavings on pieces of nature found on walks. Connect more deeply with the incredible world around you and within you through this slow, meditative process. We’ll explore and weave in Zen Buddhist teachings along the way.

    $45.00

  • Book Making Class Bundle

    In this bundle, you get my two book making classes to go deeper with your creative process at a discounted price.

    This bundle includes these classes:

    -Fabric Meditation Books

    -Wabi Sabi Mixed Media Books

    $85.00 ($110.00 value)

  • Poetry Class Bundle

    In this bundle, you get two of my poetry classes for a discounted price.

    This bundle includes these classes:

    -By the Light of a Poem: A 30 Day Writing Journey

    -Soul Messages: A Found Poetry Workshop

    $70.00 ($90.00 value)

  • Slow Stitching Class Bundle

    This bundle includes these classes that incorporate slow stitching practices:

    -Make Fabric Meditation Books

    -Make a Contemplation Cloth

    $75.00 ($100.00 value)

  • wabi sabi mixed media book by Emma Freeman from Deep Rooted Healing online class

    Wabi Sabi & Contemplation Cloth Class Bundle

    This bundle includes these two classes:

    -Make Wabi Sabi Mixed Media Books

    -Make a Slow Stitched Contemplation Cloth

    $85.00 ($110.00 value)

Testimonials from Students

“Thanks to the intuitive work I have been doing in this space, I just let things turn out as they do, I don't highly manipulate nor worry about precision. This horse has been let out of the corral, and won't be put back in! I really saw that in my thinking. I played with different stitches, with overlapping - my intuition really kicked in. And, I started with some embroidery thread and was worrying about "doing it right," but I was unhappy with using my setup (I know that because of the daily stitching I do on my contemplation cloth) - I reminded myself that I know how to stitch, I know what I like to use, so I pulled out the needle I use for my stitching, pulled out my sashiko thread which is my go to, and took it on. It was delightful! Mostly I was surprised in this class how quickly I took what was being taught and made it my own. And that is because of the intuition- and skill-building I have done here. Thank you, Emma!

-Alison

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“I’m so thrilled to have completed this piece (contemplation cloth). Sea weathered cotton, Kogin thread, collected shell. I adore this process. I adore the simplicity. And sustained and sustaining practice. I love continuing on even when I think I may have ‘made a mistake’. I love that I am willing to share my vulnerabilities in my work. And that there is beauty, ultimately. Thank you Emma, for your offerings.”

-Amelia

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‘Thank you for your generosity in every way. I am most grateful Emma. I will always have you "tucked in my heart" as the one who helped me to find my creative voice again. Much love and blessings.” -Joy, past student

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“I had a wonderful experience unearthing one of my buried books! So many roots had grown into the book! 2 of the pages were even stitched together by the roots. I can’t wait to spend some time with it now it’s unearthed and see what it had to say!

-Oli

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“It has been years since I have felt like I am living art. This process is nourishing, organic and keeps catching and holding me with its sweet embrace of safety, envelopment and deep flow. It feel delicious and divine with each and every stitch and time I choose to engage with the work!!! I LOVE everything about this process, the colors, texture, fabric stitching and the small size. Give me all of it.”

-Lynn

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“I haven't done any kind of hand stitching in a long time (and even what I had previously done was fairly minimal, not to mention viewed as somewhat of a chore). This class, and your approach, introduced me to a very freeing, exhilarating, and imaginative way of interacting with fabric and needle-and-thread! Your gentle, encouraging, enthusiastic, and generous teaching style is such a gift to experience.”

-Nicole

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“Emma is a teacher who is gentle, encouraging and lovingly inspired. She is the perfect teacher for anyone who doubts their own creative ability. Her love of color, texture and design quietly bubble over. Initially she will impress you with practical and creative techniques to start using in your art right away. Later you may find yourself touched by her example of bringing peace, flow and balance not only through her art but also her practice of making art.”

-Sarah

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"Emma is a fabulous teacher! She struck just the right balance between offering a variety of tried and true techniques, and encouraging further play and experimentation. There was ample time to hear about her creative process, view a wide sample of her fabric meditation work, see the simple steps to begin a new book, and to learn by doing. Even across the computer waves, I felt like we were sharing magical space at an art table. I walked away from the lesson feeling so inspired that I completed several more pages by the weekend!"

-Alana

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“I recently attended Emma's Fabric Meditation Book workshop....it truly was the most lovely way to spend an afternoon. With her gently soothing voice and gracious manner, Emma invites us into her world. It feels like a visit with an old friend as she shares the path that led to the creation of her lovely fabric meditation books. Each piece of fabric, each stitch that is sewn, lovingly honored as a reflection of a journey....the struggles, the triumphs, the loss and the healing. Emma guides us effortlessly through her process with clear and concise instructions. What a joy to be transported and transformed by this deliciously tactile world of fabrics, textures, colors and stitches. Thank you Emma!!”

-Chantal

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“I took Emma's fabric meditation workshop and it was such a joy to create with her guidance. I have never really sewn in my life, but Emma made it very easy to understand and follow along. Emma's voice is like listening to the most peaceful of guided meditations, helping you to flow from one stitch to the next. She is truly a gifted teacher and I would recommend her classes to anyone!”

-Tera

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“Being curious about how to assemble collages, I signed up for Emma‘s class Explore Mixed Media Collage. Since I followed Emma on Instagram, I knew I liked her style and focus on natural elements. Emma is a gifted teacher. During the class she was so good at showing the process of different techniques and things you could do with various materials. After assembling compositions, we shared our work with the group. She so respectfully asked if we would like feedback and then gave great feedback in a kind and gentle way. I have learned a lot from her about using different materials and composition. I’ve already signed up for her class Make Fabric Meditation books. I really loved her gentle caring style of teaching and how the content is process oriented. She gives you the instructional tools to create the art that you want to make in your own way and she offers gentle guidance when requested. She has opened up the door to me for endless creative possibilities.”

-Kathleen

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“Emma's workshop on meditation fabric books was fantastic. She had an in-depth knowledge of the materials used, sharing different options for participants to take away the best fit for them. The workshop was a great balance between seeing inspirational books as ideas, and the hands on making component. I have been able to continue working on books from what I learned. Emma's calm and supportive approach made the workshop a treasured and magical time - so happy to have discovered this practice through her workshop, true balm to the soul.”

-Deborah

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“Spending a few hours in a workshop on any subject with Emma gently leading would probably be enough to inspire and soothe, but to spend time creating a fabric book, stitch by stitch, is a wonderful bonus—meditation with a lovely prize at the end. Emma is a generous teacher, maker, creator whose classes I will seek out again and again.”

-Sharon

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“I am SO enjoying this process. I adore the ability to let perfection go and let the stitches inform you as to what is next.”

-past student

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"I can't recommend Emma’s classes more. She is a fantastic artist and opened up a door to my creativity I didn't even knew I had."

-Michelle

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“I loved Emma's class - it was inspiring, gentle and expansive and opened up so many ideas and practices for me. I'll definitely make some more textile books and am excited to take more classes. I had a really nice, relaxing time and met like minded people too.”

-Yarrow

“Emma is a fun, enthusiastic teacher. Her passion is infectious and her work is beautiful.”

-past student

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“So nice to learn about new book structures. Wait, fabric books? Why not? My mom taught me to sew years ago, and she'd be so excited to know that in my late 50's I'm still learning and loving the art of sewing. Thank you Emma!”

-past student

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“I loved the class. It was magical seeing the prints appear on fabric!”

-Katherine, student in Make Wabi Sabi Mixed Media Books

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“The class was absolutely fabulous. Emma had a great manner with the students, patient and clear with instructions and nice balance of inspiration and method.”

-past student

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“You are a wonderful instructor and artist. I listened to one of your podcasts and it was so open and honest about your mental growth, so very helpful to many who are going through similar things. I went to therapy in a rough time and it all resonated with me, you're helping so many people!! I'm a fan. I'll be listening to all of them and taking more classes!!!!!!! Thank you!!!”

-past student

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“Emma is a fun, enthusiastic teacher. Her passion is infectious and her work is beautiful.”

-past student

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“Your class was the very “jump start” I needed to make a cloth book with stitching. I have collected thrift sale fabrics for years for this moment!. Excited as I finally begin!”

-Karen

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“I loved your class! Thank you for bringing your art and kind teaching style to us. I started a new book today. I found an old pair of my Dad’s jeans. He died two years ago and working with his fabric-well, wow. What a very cool practice. Thank you.”

-Jane

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“Thanks for a great online class last night, Emma. It's just what I needed this week. My book is still a work in progress, and that's what I like about it. The center white scrap of linen comes from a set of napkins that belonged to my great-grandmother. Over the years they've been used for everything from fancy luncheons, to kitchen towels, to my mom using them to make lefse! She was about to throw them out...all but a few are tattered...until I rescued them. So, my book has a family connection! I hope to take another class from you.”

-Todd

“Thanks again for the great three week class. I have learned enough about the process that now I can play in the studio. I just needed some ideas to get me going. So thanks again. You talk/write about composition and design issues so eloquently. My tendency is to rush decisions. I am learning from your class that there is a benefit to taking your time. Letting the pieces speak to each other. Love that idea. As an improv quilter, I would just go and follow my instincts quickly. I am ready for a more thoughtful practice. You have helped me slow down. Many things to ponder and experiment with in the studio. I wanted you to know that you’re respectfulness and being fully present during the class made me feel I wish all teachers were like you. It was a calming lovely presence. Thank you.”

-past student

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“Emma is a wonderful and patient teacher-very knowledgeable and approachable! I have taken 3 of her classes and will keep watching for more that she may lead. She encourages students to try, experiment and let go. It was a an inspirational and creative experience for me each time!”

-Kathy

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“You are fabulous and this class was so much fun!”

-past student

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“Thank you Emma. My heart/spirit are full of the wonderful possibilities that you presented today.”

-past student

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“Emma is organized, inspirational, and encouraging. I highly recommend her classes to anyone who wants to broaden their perspective and learn from a brilliant artist.”

-Rosalyn

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“I participated in a Fabric Meditation Book online workshop led by Emma. I felt like I was in the same room with her, delighting in stitching along with her while she provided clear, encouraging instructions. She is a natural teacher. The experience was like a meditative balm.”

-Heather

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“I really am just blown away by the concepts and energy you brought to the space. Thank you so much!”

-J

I’ve been an arts educator for over 20 years and have taught people from ages 3-85.

Learn more about my teaching experience if you’d like to here:

“I learn over and over again that the creative process is an intelligence that knows where it has to go. Somehow it always finds the way to the place where I need to be, and it is always a destination that never could have been known by me in advance.”

-Shaun McNiff, art therapist