What happens when 200+ women come together for a weekend of painting, creativity, and connection? A whole lot more than pretty door hangers, that’s for sure!

I’ve hosted a lot of painting events over the years, but there’s something about Southern Adoornments Live that fills my cup every single time.

This year, we gathered in the beautiful Great Smoky Mountains of Tennessee with over 200 women joining us in person and even more painting along virtually from home.

And while we painted some pretty amazing projects, the thing that sticks with me most isn’t the finished artwork.

It’s the friendships, the confidence, and the women who walked into that room unsure of themselves and left feeling like they belonged.

That’s what Southern Adoornments Live is really all about!

You Don’t Have to Be an Artist to Come to SA Live

One of the biggest things I hear from women who are thinking about attending a painting workshop is, “But Tamara, I’m not artistic!”

That’s exactly why you should come!

Southern Adoornments Live is a beginner-friendly painting retreat where women of all skill levels can learn new techniques, create seasonal decor, and connect with other women who love crafting. You don’t have to know how to paint a door hanger before you arrive. You don’t have to be good at lettering, shading, or even holding a paintbrush!

We’ve got experienced painters sitting right alongside women who are trying something for the very first time.

And you know what happens? They help each other!

That’s one of my favorite things about our painting community. Nobody is worried about whose project looks the best. We’re too busy cheering each other on!

A Little Painting Advice I Wish Every Beginner Knew

If you’re nervous about trying a new painting technique, here are a few things I always encourage my students to remember:

• Don’t compare your project to someone else’s. Your painting should reflect YOUR personality!
• Try something unfamiliar. Whether it’s resin, hand lettering, or shading, you might discover a new favorite technique.
• Give yourself permission to make mistakes. Some of my favorite creative ideas have come from fixing something that didn’t go as planned.
• Trust the process! Sometimes a project looks a little questionable halfway through. Keep going!

And remember, nobody expects perfection. We’re here to learn and have fun!

Painting Projects That Keep on Giving

One of the best things about learning to paint your own home decor is discovering just how much you can do with a few basic techniques. At Southern Adoornments Live 2026, our guest artists introduced everyone to different painting styles, materials, and creative ideas.

We worked on everything from seasonal sunflower signs and fall pumpkins to resin artwork and a sweet Smoky Mountain cabin ornament.

I kicked things off with an interchangeable milk can door hanger featuring a three-dimensional design. And y’all know how much I love interchangeable projects!

Instead of making an entirely new door hanger for every holiday, you can create one base design and switch out the attachments throughout the year. It’s a great way to decorate seasonally without needing a whole closet to store your door hangers!

We also had hand lettering incorporated into a project, fun resin, and ornament painting!

Sometimes the Best Thing You Can Experience is Connection

I want to tell you something that I think gets overlooked when we talk about crafting.

Painting isn’t always just about making something pretty. Sometimes it’s about finding your people.

Take Janet and Haley, for example.

Janet lives in Texas, and her granddaughter Haley lives all the way in Washington State. When Haley’s family moved away, these two started getting together on Zoom every Sunday to paint and catch up.

Isn’t that the sweetest thing?

This year, they finally got to attend Southern Adoornments Live together in person!

Seeing them sitting side by side, painting and making memories, was one of those moments I’ll never forget.

And it got me thinking about how something as simple as painting can help us stay connected to the people we love.

Creativity Isn’t a Race, Y’all!

Our apron fashion show at Southern Adoornments Live was proof that creativity comes in all kinds of forms! We had aprons inspired by Dolly Parton, Bob Ross, the Smoky Mountains, and everything in between.

But the winning apron featured the cutest little black bear dressed like an artist, painting a picture of the mountains. The details were incredible!

The woman who created it told me she wasn’t a fast painter, but she enjoyed the process. And I thought that was such a good reminder.

You don’t have to paint quickly to be a good painter.

Some people finish a door hanger in an afternoon. Others like to take their time, work on little details, and come back to it over several days. Neither way is wrong!

If painting is your creative outlet, don’t turn it into another thing you feel pressured to finish. Put on some music and enjoy the process.

Why Making Time for Creativity Matters

Something else that really touched my heart at Southern Adoornments Live was hearing the stories women shared. Some had experienced loss. Others were dealing with health challenges, financial struggles, or difficult seasons of life.

And several told me how badly they needed a weekend like this.

I think so many of us women spend our days taking care of everybody else. We’re moms, grandmas, wives, caregivers, and the people everyone depends on.

Sometimes we forget that we’re allowed to do something simply because it makes us happy. That’s one reason I’m so passionate about encouraging women to find a creative hobby.

Painting gives you a chance to slow down, focus on something enjoyable, and make something with your own two hands. And you don’t need an entire weekend away to experience that!

Even 30 minutes at your kitchen table can be a wonderful way to unwind.

Keep the Creativity Going at Home

If you’d love to paint more often but aren’t sure where to start, here are a few resources from Southern Adoornments Decor:

• Painter’s Clubhouse: Our online painting membership is a place to keep learning, try new projects, and connect with other women who enjoy painting. It’s a great way to find encouragement even when you’re creating at home.
• Painting Tutorials: Explore painting lessons and creative inspiration to help you practice techniques and build confidence with your paintbrush.
• DIY Door Hanger Projects: Seasonal door hangers are a fun way to practice your skills while making something you can actually display in your home or give as a gift.

You don’t have to learn everything at once. Just pick a project that makes you smile and start there!

Southern Adoornments Live 2027 Is Heading to Destin, Florida!

And now for something I’m really excited about!

We’re trading the Smoky Mountains for sandy beaches because Southern Adoornments Live 2027 is heading to Destin, Florida! We alternate between the mountains and the beach each year, and I love how every location creates its own special memories.

Our Destin painting retreat is a chance to spend time with women who share your love of creativity, learn from talented artists, and enjoy a little getaway while you’re at it.

And if you’re thinking, “But I don’t know anybody who would go with me,” please don’t let that stop you. So many women come to Southern Adoornments Live without knowing a soul and leave with new friends.

We’re even planning reserved seating to help ladies who come alone connect with each other!

You don’t have to be an experienced painter. You don’t need to bring a friend. You just need to be willing to show up and have a little fun.

Ready to join us? Get Southern Adoornments Live 2027 tickets and event details here. Let’s start planning your painting getaway to Destin!