Mystic Mill Valley

10/13/2026

Today is MYSTIC’s two-year anniversary! To celebrate, we are offering 20% off all our classes all week! Use code 'HAPPY2YEAR' at check out.

Wild to think we opened our doors two years ago.
It seems like just yesterday, but also somehow like so long ago.

It’s also been two years of this newsletter. And apparently this is newsletter #112. I’ve sent 111!! of these over the past two years, which is kind of wild.
Even more interesting, 112 is a number that has been showing up for me all month. (It's even on my Vision Board I made in the Autumn Equinox Vision Board class.)

Funny how those little coincidences come up.
Same with that darn Portals card. I pulled it again yesterday. I kid you not.

So here I am, stepping through this MYSTIC portal into year three.
Where will it take us?

This place has become so much more than just a shop and studio. It truly has become a dream come true.
It has grown so much in two years, and so much of that has happened because of all of you.

We’ve met so many amazing people. Hosted so many classes. Watched people try things for the first time, make new friends, bring their kids in, come back again and again, and become part of this little community.

Thank you for shopping with us, taking classes, teaching classes, coming to events, telling your friends about us, bringing your kids in, and continuing to show up.

I’m so grateful for these first two years, and really excited for what comes next.

Thank you for being part of it. Truly, from the deepest part of my heart, thank you.

Here’s to many more years!

With love,
Andrea

HERE IS WHAT IS COMING UP IN THE STUDIO:

USE COUPON CODE 'HAPPY2YEAR' TO GET 20% OFF CLASSES

Other classes coming up in the studio:

Beginner Drawing: Contour Drawing - Tuesday, October 20th (6-8pm) (https://www.mysticmv.com/product/beginner-drawing-contour-drawing/DYOF4AAH6OC4HMKSLIC6S4BT)
Seasonal Paper Studio: Cards & Autumn Keepsakes - Wednesday, October 21st (6-8pm) (https://www.mysticmv.com/product/seasonal-paper-studio/4H2Q6UWH6COUK2IY2HQUYWQS)
Hand-dipped Candles - Thursday, October 22nd (6-8pm) (https://www.mysticmv.com/product/handdippedcandles/HFPXR7GBIDNEZG3N7W7B3SHC)
Paint and Sip - Friday, October 23rd (6-8pm) (https://www.mysticmv.com/product/paintandsip/7MJSUBF7DL6CJGB6CKU7LYDW)
Stitch Society: A Fiber Arts Gathering - Saturday, October 24th (10-11:30am) (https://www.mysticmv.com/product/stitch-society-a-fiber-arts-gathering/5CNQGIBGRIMPP7Y6DCGJHYTN)
Needle Felting 101- Woodland Creatures - Saturday, October 24th (1-3:30pm) (https://www.mysticmv.com/product/needle-felting-101-woodland-creatures/WO244TWLSNHCUKQZOMKBCEST)
Spoon Carving - Sunday, October 25th (10am-1pm) (https://www.mysticmv.com/product/spoon-carving/IODOMQ3UGLYIQTDMGGX7RREN)

and so much more (https://www.mysticmv.com/) ...

And now every week!
Wednesdays - Sensory Studio for Minis + Caregivers (https://www.mysticmv.com/product/sensorystudio/5B33I27RXLXNN4FMIQJNZFND)
Thursdays - Nature Explorers for Minis + Caregivers (https://www.mysticmv.com/product/nature-explorers-for-minis-caregivers/OPLIKOSJ6CSU35F75I3K2HVZ)
Fridays - Movement for Minis + Caregivers (https://www.mysticmv.com/product/movement-for-minis-caregivers/V5JEB3ADB6PZHC4CDVRBTRFK)

Every other week...AND WE HAVE ONE THIS SATURDAY!
Kid's Craft Night / Date Night! (https://www.mysticmv.com/product/kids-craft-night/WYYZYCPQNI5UYE37NSOLWVA6?cp=true&sa=false&sbp=false&q=true) Drop off your little artist for some art making and dinner in studio and go have yourself a date night. Learn more and sign up here (https://www.mysticmv.com/product/kids-craft-night/WYYZYCPQNI5UYE37NSOLWVA6?cp=true&sa=false&sbp=false&q=true) .

FOR THE KIDS

Click here for an update from MYSTIC!

10/06/2026

Morning,

We had Collage Club (https://www.mysticmv.com/product/collageclub/AURSG73DDGSWJ62YEMMYFMXV) again last night, and it was, again, so good.
It was such a great group of people. I seriously love it every month.
I always think we should do it more often. Although, maybe part of what makes it so special is that we don’t.
(I also baked some goodies for it and remembered how much I love to bake for other people...)

I’ve written before about being a bit of a seasonal introvert, and I feel very much in my extrovert season right now.
My weeks have been full. Meeting people, seeing friends, work things, social things, so many classes in the studio. And honestly, it feels really good.
The sunshine definitely helps.
But, talk to me next month.

I’ve been taking so many classes at our studio, and I have been loving learning new things and being around people making things together. I keep leaving the studio feeling energized and really happy that I made the time for it.

Is all of this helping my productivity? Absolutely not.

I am behind on accounting again. Behind on all kinds of behind-the-scenes work. Behind on the work that pays the bills.
And MYSTIC merch is still moving at a pace that can only be described as... eventually.
(I swear it is coming.)

But, I also know I am a very productive human. And being productive is not the only reason any of us are on this planet.
Connection is important, too.

So maybe right now I am choosing a little more of that.

Bring a friend. Meet a friend. Come take a class. Try something you’ve never done before. There are so many amazing things on the calendar this fall and winter, and I hope you’ll join us for something.

And while I’m doing a little shameless MYSTIC promoting...isn’t that what this newsletter is ultimately for?

The shop is stocked to the brim right now with birthday gifts, “just thinking of you” gifts, art supplies, and plenty of things you absolutely do not need but might really want. Or things that you do actually absolutely need!

Come wander around. Shop with us. Take a class. Hang out!

With love,
Andrea

HERE IS WHAT IS COMING UP IN THE STUDIO:

Other classes coming up in the studio:

Visible Mending / Sashiko - Wednesday, October 14th (6-9pm) (https://www.mysticmv.com/product/visible-mending-sashiko-denim-workshop/WOQAS53VTKX6W56ZQ2MXE6PP)
Q***r Craft Night - Thursday, October 15th (6:30-8:30pm) (https://www.mysticmv.com/product/queer-craft-night/GJ3YWKUR6RLNSJN2QBKQBZ43)
Sketch and Watercolor - Sunday, October 18th (10am-1pm) (https://www.mysticmv.com/product/sketch-and-watercolor-workshop/FYWLDYTX7GQV6PRMZ4DGGDOM)
Charm School: Resin Charms - Sunday, October 18th (2-5pm) (https://www.mysticmv.com/product/charmschool/TBLLYRBGRXPI3TGYKMYOG2IN)
Hand-dipped Candles - Thursday, October 22nd (6-8pm) (https://www.mysticmv.com/product/handdippedcandles/HFPXR7GBIDNEZG3N7W7B3SHC)

and so much more (https://www.mysticmv.com/) ...

And now every week!
Wednesdays - Sensory Studio for Minis + Caregivers (https://www.mysticmv.com/product/sensorystudio/5B33I27RXLXNN4FMIQJNZFND)
Thursdays - Nature Explorers for Minis + Caregivers (https://www.mysticmv.com/product/nature-explorers-for-minis-caregivers/OPLIKOSJ6CSU35F75I3K2HVZ)
Fridays - Movement for Minis + Caregivers (https://www.mysticmv.com/product/movement-for-minis-caregivers/V5JEB3ADB6PZHC4CDVRBTRFK)

Every other week...
Kid's Craft Night / Date Night! (https://www.mysticmv.com/product/kids-craft-night/WYYZYCPQNI5UYE37NSOLWVA6?cp=true&sa=false&sbp=false&q=true) Drop off your little artist for some art making and dinner in studio and go have yourself a date night. Learn more and sign up here (https://www.mysticmv.com/product/kids-craft-night/WYYZYCPQNI5UYE37NSOLWVA6?cp=true&sa=false&sbp=false&q=true) .

FOR THE KIDS

Click here for an update from MYSTIC!

10/06/2026

Don’t forget to save the date!

10/06/2026

Have you seen our amazing card collection?

10/06/2026

Join us in the studio!

09/29/2026

Morning,

I got to spend a lot of time in the studio this week, which always makes me happy. And somewhere in there, I had another realization about time, creativity, and how I actually work best.

But first, the studio.

Saturday night we hosted a pop-up kissa (https://www.mysticmv.com/product/phono-finish-pop-up-kissa/WVPEF3JCPQVYNKHLVU5NWIYJ?cp=true&sa=false&sbp=false&q=true) , inspired by the Japanese jazz kissa tradition, where people gather to really listen to music. Not background music. Not music while you answer emails or scroll your phone. Just listening.

Robert completely transformed the studio with lighting, scent, and music, and it was honestly so cool to be in our own space and feel like a guest.

I loved it.

I also really love jazz, so getting to sit there and hear a few of my favorite artists played on vinyl through an amazing sound system made it even better.
But mostly, I loved having an excuse to just sit and listen.

That feels weirdly rare.

Our lives are so fast. I know I talk about slowing down ALL THE TIME, which is probably because I am still trying to figure out how to actually do it.

Time always feels like the thing I need more of.

People often ask me how they can help, and I’ve actually gotten pretty good at delegating. But the one thing no one can really give me is more time.

I’m sure a lot of you can relate.

And somehow this newsletter is becoming existential again. I swear I don’t mean for that to happen every week...

The next morning on Sunday, I was back in the studio for a completely different kind of experience. I took our Turkey Wing Whisk (https://www.mysticmv.com/product/turkey-wing-whisk-with-wrapped-handle/KJVX2DEE5W7OGB5NH2WWJ2YK?cp=true&sa=false&sbp=false&q=true) class with Alissa (such an amazing artist and teacher), which is essentially making the cutest little broom.

It was SO fun.

Everyone walked away with something beautiful and functional, I learned a little about the history of brooms, and I felt really connected to the women sitting around with me.

And now I can apparently sweep away all the things I don’t want to bring with me into fall!
Very useful in so many ways.

I selfishly asked for this class because I wanted to take it, and luckily other people wanted to take it, too.

Which is actually how some of my favorite things end up on the MYSTIC calendar.
So tell us what you want to learn!
If there is something you’ve always wanted to try, tell us. If you teach something great, tell us. If you know someone who is a master at what they do and would love to share it with other people, send them our way.

Our fall and winter calendar is filling up with some REALLY good things.

And apparently, so is my own calendar.

Which brings me back to my realization.

I need long, uninterrupted stretches of time to be creative.
Not fifteen minutes between emails. Not while answering a text. Not with a hundred tabs open. Not with my kids constantly interrupting me.

Actual time.

I think that is part of why I love getting up at 4am. The world is still asleep. No one needs anything from me yet. My brain feels clear, and my creative juices are flowing.

I’ve been working on MYSTIC merch lately, and I keep struggling to find those long stretches of uninterrupted time to really get into it.

But merch is coming. I promise.

It’s hard with life, kids, work, and all the things, but I’m trying to make more room for creativity. And for slowing down.

Less squeezing creativity into the leftover spaces.

More actually giving it some time. Dedicated time.

SO HARD.

Tell me your secret if you know how.

With love,
Andrea

P.S. Save the date for our 2nd Annual Holiday Market on Sunday, November 15th from 10am-2pm! We’ll have wonderful local artists and makers throughout the hallways and both studios. It’s going to be fun.
If you are interested in vending, fill out this application (https://form.jotform.com/262636498227165) ! We still have a couple open spots.

HERE IS WHAT IS COMING UP IN THE STUDIO:

Other classes coming up in the studio:

Meditations on Nature - Wednesday, October 7th (6-7:30pm) (https://www.mysticmv.com/product/art-of-intuition/TT6QM3MJWAN2GGCKUCGSRX2A)
Screen Printing with Stencils - Thursday, October 8th (6:30-9:00pm) (https://www.mysticmv.com/product/screen-printing-with-stencils/NQXSZ2GRC6EYRC44LIDFRAU6)
Knit a Beanie! Friday, October 9th and October 16th (6-9pm) (https://www.mysticmv.com/product/knit-a-beanie-choose-your-own-adventure/ISC4HBB5UDNGQ4DLEMYZNFA3)
Intro to Gold Leaf - Saturday, October 10th (10am-1pm) (https://www.mysticmv.com/product/intro-to-gold-leaf/6E4VMNYW6JDALV6FZH4WNBPT)
Advanced Polaroid Emulsion Lifts - Sunday, October 11th (2-5pm) (https://www.mysticmv.com/product/advanced-polaroid-emulsion-lifts/25JBVKM37AQTJZFE5MAVK2IC)
Beginning Watercolor - Tuesday, October 13th (10am-2pm) (https://www.mysticmv.com/product/beginningwatercolor/OZFYFCOZQCSSVFDPANGMAFAA)
Art of Intuition - Tuesday, October 13th (6:30-7:45pm) (https://www.mysticmv.com/product/art-of-intuition/A6UPO5NOZCQKOGPIPW3X2RWQ)
Visible Mending / Sashiko - Wednesday, October 14th (6-9pm) (https://www.mysticmv.com/product/visible-mending-sashiko-denim-workshop/WOQAS53VTKX6W56ZQ2MXE6PP)
Q***r Craft Night - Thursday, October 15th (6:30-8:30pm) (https://www.mysticmv.com/product/queer-craft-night/GJ3YWKUR6RLNSJN2QBKQBZ43)

and so much more (https://www.mysticmv.com/) ...

And now every week!
Wednesdays - Sensory Studio for Minis + Caregivers (https://www.mysticmv.com/product/sensorystudio/5B33I27RXLXNN4FMIQJNZFND)
Thursdays - Nature Explorers for Minis + Caregivers (https://www.mysticmv.com/product/nature-explorers-for-minis-caregivers/OPLIKOSJ6CSU35F75I3K2HVZ)
Fridays - Movement for Minis + Caregivers (https://www.mysticmv.com/product/movement-for-minis-caregivers/V5JEB3ADB6PZHC4CDVRBTRFK)

Every other week...
Kid's Craft Night / Date Night! (https://www.mysticmv.com/product/kids-craft-night/WYYZYCPQNI5UYE37NSOLWVA6?cp=true&sa=false&sbp=false&q=true) Drop off your little artist for some art making and dinner in studio and go have yourself a date night. Learn more and sign up here (https://www.mysticmv.com/product/kids-craft-night/WYYZYCPQNI5UYE37NSOLWVA6?cp=true&sa=false&sbp=false&q=true) .

FOR THE KIDS

Click here for an update from MYSTIC!

09/29/2026