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📖About the Retreat
The Art & Junk Journal Retreat is a creative, emotional, and transformative 3‑day virtual experience where journalers explore:
• Creative expression
• Personal healing
• Mindset and emotional wellness
• Artistic play
• Business growth through creativity
We blend art journaling, junk journaling, mixed media, and soulful creativity with deeper conversations about why we create and how art supports our lives. The retreat is designed to be welcoming, inclusive, and accessible for journalers of all levels.
Here’s how the event unfolds:
🌙 Day 0 – Kickoff Pajama Party Live (April 21 at 6pm Pacific)
A warm, welcoming live session to set the tone, introduce the retreat, and get attendees excited with a simple creative project.
🌞 Days 1 & 2 – Free Sessions (April 22–23)
• Pre‑recorded sessions released each morning
• Available for 24 hours
• One Lunch & Learn live session each day
• Optional speaker Q&A sessions throughout the day
• Attendees explore projects, techniques, and creative inspiration at their own pace
⭐ Day 3 – VIP Day (April 24, 8am–6pm Pacific)
A full day of live, interactive sessions exclusively for upgraded pass holders, including:
• Workshops
• Demos
• Deep‑dive classes
• Creative chats
• Extra bonuses, courses, and downloads
VIP Day is immersive, high‑energy, and deeply connective — a highlight for both attendees and speakers.
✨ Who We're Looking For
We welcome speakers who are:
• Art journalers, junk journalers, mixed media artists, spread makers
• Creative business owners
• Mindset, wellness, or creativity coaches, that use art or crafting
• Teachers who love sharing their process
• Creatives who want to inspire and uplift others
If you can teach a project, share a technique, or speak on creativity, mindset, or the business of art — you’re a great fit.
💛 What’s In It For Me
✨ Grow Your Audience & Email List
Your freebie helps attendees join your list and stay connected long after the retreat ends.
✨ Earn 40–55% Commission on Pass Sales
Our commission structure rewards your involvement:
• 40% — Base commission
• 50% — When you participate in any optional opportunity
• 55% — When you participate in Artisan Pass Day
You choose your level of involvement.
✨ Showcase Your Expertise
Position yourself as a trusted creative guide.
✨ Build Community & Connections
Collaborate with other talented creators.
✨ Increase Your Visibility
Your work will be seen by thousands of journalers and creatives.
✨ Promote Your Offers
You’re welcome to mention your shop, classes, memberships, or upcoming launches.
You will have the option to upload an intro video separately that promotes you on a dedicated page just for you.
✨ Optional Opportunities to Boost Your Impact
Choose from:
• Artisan Pass bonus
• Giveaway
• Live Q&A
• Artisan Pass Day
✨ A Smooth, Organized Speaker Experience
We provide:
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Clear deadlines
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A speaker portal
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A dedicated Speaker Page
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Optional Dedicated Chat
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Swipe copy
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Graphics
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Tech instructions
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A supportive, friendly team
🎥 What Speakers Provide
Every speaker begins at the 40% commission level, which includes the core commitments below. These essentials ensure a consistent, high‑quality experience for attendees.
1. 🎬 A Pre‑Recorded Session (30–60 minutes) (photo of project or pretty title graphic will also be required)
This can be:
• A project tutorial
• A technique demonstration
• A talk on creativity, mindset, or business
• A hybrid of teaching + inspiration
2.📄 A Worksheet or Companion PDF (Download Template)
A simple, supportive resource that helps attendees follow along or dive deeper.
3.🎁 A Freebie / Lead Magnet
This allows attendees to join your email list and stay connected with your work long after the retreat.
4. ✨ Any Additional Materials
Such as promo assets or optional extras you’d like included.
5. 📣 Promotion
To help the retreat reach as many journalers as possible — and to help you maximize your affiliate earnings — we ask each speaker to promote the event.
Promotion includes:
• 1–2 emails to your list
• 2–4 social posts
• Optional stories, reels, or behind‑the‑scenes content
You’ll receive:
• Swipe copy
• Graphics
• Your unique affiliate link
• A suggested promo schedule
Swipe copy and graphics will be ready in late March, giving you plenty of time to schedule and prepare your promotions.
Promotion isn’t just for the event — it directly supports your visibility, your list growth, and your commission potential.
🌟 Optional Opportunities for Speakers
A. Artisan Pass Bonus (50% Commission)
Contribute a premium bonus valued at $50+ such as:
• Mini‑course
• Digital kit
• Printable bundle
• Workshop replay
• Project pack
• Premium tutorial
Boosts your commission to 50%.
B. Giveaway Contribution
Offer a prize such as:
• Physical product
• Digital bundle
• Gift card
• Class or membership
C. Live Q&A on Your Presentation Day
Host a 20–30 minute Q&A on:
• April 22 or April 23
• Any time between 8am–6pm Pacific
• International Time‑friendly slots available
D. Artisan Pass Day (VIP Day) — (55% Commission)
Teach or host a live session on April 24 (8am–6pm Pacific):
• Workshop
• Demo
• Q&A
• Deep‑dive class
• Creative chat
Boosts your commission to 55%.
📅 Important Dates & Deadlines
Application Deadline
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Basic Information / Application Due: February 13, 2026
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Speaker Acceptances: Rolling
HeySummit dashboard invite: Sent (any new speakers will get access within a week of joining)
IMPORTANT NOTE: The main things we need to be submitted to start preparing advertising materials for you are:
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Your info
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Your main talk title
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Your bonus titles
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Pictures of your main talk, Artisan pass day presentation (even if it is just a pretty title picture and pictures of your bonuses/freebies.
🗓 April 1, 2026
Due:
🎥 Presentation Video — Submit Here
📄 Worksheet / PDF — (Download Template) and upload through your HeySummit Dashboard
Notes:
✨ Yes, it’s due April 1 — no fooling!
✨ Keep videos clear and easy to follow
✨ PDFs should be simple, printable, and attendee‑friendly
🗓 April 5, 2026
Due:
💬 Optional Live Q&A Time Slot (April 22 or 23)
🎨 Optional Artisan Pass Live Day Time Slot (April 24)
📷Pictures of everything (Main Presentation (talk), Artisan Pass day presentation and any bonuses, giveaways, freebies) Upload through your HeySummit Dashboard
Notes:
✨ Time slots are first‑come, first‑served (with morning slot priority going to overseas outside the US)
🗓 April 10, 2026
Due:
🎁 Freebie / Lead Magnet — upload through your HeySummit Dashboard
💎 Optional Bonuses, Giveaways & Extras — upload through your HeySummit Dashboard
🎨 Artisan Pass Day presentation info, graphics, etc.
📹 Any Recorded Artisan Pass Day videos (prefer live)—Submit Here
Notes:
✨ Freebies and bonuses help grow your list and increase affiliate earnings
✨ Artisan Pass materials can include graphics, instructions, or extra resources
✨ Artisan Pass bonuses should be valued at $50+ (or close to)
Event Dates
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Promotion Dates: April 8th -24th
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Kickoff Live: April 21 at 6pm Pacific•
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Retreat: April 22–24, 2026
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Artisan Pass Day: April 24 (8am–6pm Pacific)
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Affiliate Payouts: No later than May 11th
🌙 Meet Your Hosts
Monique Leslie — Misfit Crafter
Creative educator, designer, and Co-founder of the Art & Junk Journal Retreat.
To Monique Leslie, crafting isn’t just a hobby—it’s a way of being. Known as the Misfit Crafter, she serves as an Artistic Mentor and Crafting Instructor for those who find beauty in the unconventional.
While Monique’s personal journals are a playground for mixed media exploration, she finds her greatest fulfillment in creating journals for others to cherish. For Monique, the true alchemy is in the "share"—giving others a beautiful, handmade space to begin their own journey. When she isn’t at her studio table, she’s building a vibrant, inclusive community at the Misfit Crafter Studio (MisfitCrafterStudio.com), a digital hub dedicated to helping every creative "misfit" live their best crafty life.
Michelle Caldwell — Michelle’s Little Craft Nook
Michelle Caldwell is a gentle creator living with a brain disease and chronic illness, learning to move through life at a slower, more intentional pace. She created Michelle’s Little Craft Nook, a free and cozy Facebook group where she shares her stories, projects, planners, and creative experiments — all without pressure, payment, or perfection. Her goal is simple: to share what she makes, tell the stories behind it, and offer a soft, welcoming space where anyone who needs a little creativity can breathe easier.
Together, they provide a smooth, supportive, and community‑centered speaker experience.
🌟 Ready to Join Us?-Your Next Steps
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Fill out the Speaker Interest & Information Form
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This gives us everything we need to set up your session.
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Watch for your HeySummit dashboard invite
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Invites will go out by mid‑February (possibly a little later depending on setup).
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We’ll notify you as soon as your dashboard is ready.
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Review the Speaker Checklist
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Use this to stay organized and track what you’ve completed.
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👉 View the Speaker Checklist UPDATED 03/06
Upload your materials once your dashboard is live
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Your video, worksheet, freebie link, and optional items will all be uploaded inside HeySummit.
(Learn More About HeySummit)
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Prepare your promotions
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Swipe copy and graphics will be available inside your HeySummit dashboard.
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Optional: Sign up for a Live Q&A or Artisan Pass Day session
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Artisan Pass Day participation increase your commission tier.
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No. Hands‑only tutorials are completely welcome. Many journalers actually prefer seeing the project up close.
Not at all. Clear audio and good lighting are enough. A phone or webcam works perfectly.
Yes — as long as it hasn’t been used in another summit‑style event.
We want your session to feel fresh and special for retreat attendees.Yes — but we ask you wait till at least 1 year after the art & junk journal retreat ends so guest feel the value of exclusive content.
Absolutely. You’re welcome to mention your shop, classes, memberships, or upcoming offers.
In addition to your main presentation, you’ll also have the opportunity to upload a separate short intro video where you can:
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Introduce yourself
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Share who you are and what you do
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Highlight your latest offerings
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Invite attendees to connect, follow, or shop
This intro video is completely separate from your teaching session and gives you extra visibility without interrupting your project or tutorial.
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No. Speakers earn commissions and keep 100% of their list growth.
You’re not required to be live unless you choose to host a Q&A or VIP Day session.
We do ask that you check your session’s questions/comments page at least once on the day your presentation goes live and once the following day so attendees feel supported and seen.Kristi stepped away to pursue new creative projects with her family.
The retreat continues under Monique’s leadership, with Michelle joining as co‑host.You can email us at:
❓ FAQ
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