We get people out of their heads and into their hands through simple, short, hands-on soapstone carving experiences.
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UNIQUE SOAPSTONE EXPERIENCES
Corporate Team building • Tour Groups • Workshops • Retreats • Studio Programs • Private Events
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We create grounded, screen-free carving experiences that bring people out of their heads and into their hands — restoring focus and connection.
WHO IT'S FOR
Corporate teams and organizations
Host Venues and destinations
Tour Groups and incentive groups
Galleries and community spaces
Schools, agencies and libraries
Family Events
Bachelor/Bachelorette Parties
Individuals seeking hands-on creative experiences
If you’re looking for a grounded, screen-free way to focus, connect, and create — this is for you.
WHY IT WORKS
Clear outcome → mental relief + embodied focus
Plug-and-play → easy to set up, portable, works in tight timelines
Low commitment → short duration, small project, done in one sitting
No identity threat → it’s not therapy, not art school, not spirituality
Universal pain → everyone is stuck in their head
No prior experience required.
About the Facilitator
Unique Soapstone Experiences is led by Michael Emery, a sculptor and facilitator with over two decades of experience working with hands-on creative practices in educational, corporate, and community settings.His work focuses on simple, accessible processes that help people slow down, focus, and create something tangible — regardless of prior experience.Programs are delivered independently and in partnership with galleries, retreat centres, organizations, and tourism partners.
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"It’s where I interrupt thinking with doing."
Ready to Get Started?
Tell us a bit about your group or idea, and we’ll send details on next steps.
© 2025 Unique Soapstone Experiences Inc. All rights reserved.
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WHAT WE OFFER
A hands-on introductory soapstone carving experience.
Simple forms · Clear guidance · Plug-and-play · Immediate success
A longer-format soapstone carving experience for deeper making.
More time · Larger forms · Greater refinement
A multi-week studio class focused on completing a larger or more complex soapstone carving project.
Skill development · Sustained practice · Project completion
A retreat-format soapstone carving experience focused on presence, reflection, and meaning.
Unhurried pace · Guided reflection · Making as a contemplative practice
Get Out & Carve
A hands-on introductory soapstone carving experience.
What to Expect
Plug-and-play format — we handle setup and cleanup
Guided carving using simple forms
All materials and tools provided
No prior experience required
Participants leave with a completed piece - not finish ready
Format Details
Typical duration: 1.5 hrs
Group size: up to 100
Location: on-site / hosted / partner venues
Who This Works Well For
This format works well for:
Corporate teams and organizations
Tour Groups and incentive groups
Galleries and community spaces
Schools, agencies and libraries
Family Events
Private events
Individuals seeking hands-on creative experiences
This format is often used for team building and group experiences because it’s accessible, collaborative, and doesn’t require artistic background.
Get Out & Carve: Extended
A longer-format soapstone carving experience for deeper making.
More time · Larger forms · Greater refinement
What to Expect
Guided carving using larger and more complex forms
Plug-and-play format — we handle setup and cleanup
All materials and tools provided
No prior experience required
Longer working time to allow for deeper refinement
Participants leave with a completed piece - finish ready
Format Details
Typical duration: 4 hrs
Group size: up to 100
Experience level: Suitable for beginners; ideal for returning participants
Location: on-site / hosted venues / destination settings
Who This Works Well For
This format works well for:
Corporate groups in destination or retreat settings
Host venues offering premium or special-format programming
Private schools and select educational programs
Private groups seeking more depth than a short experience
Returning participants looking for more time and material engagement
This format is used when time already exists in the schedule and participants want a plug-and-play experience with greater depth, without committing to a multi-week class.
Soapstone Studio — 8 Weeks
A multi-week studio class focused on completing a larger or more complex soapstone carving project.
Skill development · Sustained practice · Project completion
What to Expect
Weekly studio sessions over eight weeks
Guidance on safe tool use and studio practices
Instruction in carving, shaping, sanding, and finishing techniques
Time to work with larger shapes, blocks, or boulders
Ongoing support from concept through completion
Project scale and stone size selected based on experience and comfort level
Instruction on finishing techniques appropriate to the project
Format Details
Typical duration: Multi-week studio class - 8 weeks
Participant fit: Best suited for teens and adults ready to commit to a longer, more demanding project.
Group size: Small cohort (typically 6–12 participants)
Focus: Skill development, sustained practice, and project completion
Location: Select partner venues or hosted spaces where studio use is appropriate
Who This Works Well For
This format works well for:
Individuals interested in learning through sustained, hands-on practice
Participants ready to commit time and attention to a single project
Those looking to move beyond introductory experiences into deeper material engagement
Returning participants who want to build skill, confidence, and finish quality
Working over multiple sessions allows for deeper focus, more refined results, and clear progression from start to finish. This format is intentionally limited in size and availability to support meaningful instruction and hands-on guidance.
Get Out & Carve Retreat
An immersive soapstone carving experience offered within a retreat setting.
What to Expect
Guided soapstone carving sessions
Slower pacing and extended time blocks
Space for quiet focus and reflection
Guided mindfulness, meditation and reflection
All materials and tools provided
No prior experience required
Participants leave with a completed piece - finish ready
Format Details
Typical duration: Multi-session or multi-day retreat
Setting: Retreat centres or hosted locations
Group size: up to 100
Pacing: Unhurried, spacious, and immersive
Who This Works Well For
This format works well for:
Retreat groups and hosted experiences
Organizations seeking a deeper off-site experience
Individuals looking for extended, focused creative time
Retreats allow the carving experience to unfold at a slower pace, creating space for focus, reflection, and meaningful engagement with the material.
Carving Experiences at Home
Each experience is intentionally designed to match a different level of time, focus, and commitment.
Carve Connection. Shape Story.
Each carving experience is a complete, self-contained process — designed so you can begin calmly, work with confidence, and finish with something you’re proud of.
Create Something Real — No Experience Needed
Our soapstone carving kits are designed as complete, self-contained carving experiences — accessible, calming, and genuinely rewarding.Each experience includes everything you need to shape, smooth, and finish a hand-crafted stone piece at home. Soapstone is soft, safe, and beginner-friendly, making it suitable for kids, adults, seniors, families, classrooms, retreats, and first-time carvers.
What’s Inside Each Experience
Hand-selected soapstone, pre-shaped for controlled carving
Progressive sandpaper (matched to experience level)
Finishing wax and polishing cloth
Step-by-step instructions card
Mindfulness card to guide pace and focus
QR card for 10% off a future guided workshop
Thoughtful kraft box packaging
No extra tools required — just your hands, water, and a little time.
Kit Sizes & Pricing
Core Carving Experience — $31.99
Designed for shorter sessions and first-time success.
Includes a smaller stone, 3 sandpaper grits, and a forgiving finish process.
Refined Carving Experience — $38.99
For teens, adults, or anyone wanting more depth.
Includes a larger stone, 5 sandpaper grits, and extended refinement.
Studio Carving Experience — $59.00
A fully three-dimensional project for experienced or patient carvers.
Includes a thick stone, quality rasp, 5 sandpaper grits, and full finishing materials.
Delivery & Pickup Options
Local pickup (Cochrane / Calgary area) — Free
Local delivery (Cochrane / Calgary area) — Flat rate $15
Shipping — Calculated after order
Due to the weight and natural variation of stone, shipping is confirmed after order submission.
Shipping cost will be confirmed by email based on destination and order size.
Shapes List
Core Carving Experience
Bear
Wolf
Turtle
Butterfly
Bat
Gopher
Rabbit
Refined Carving Experience
Bear
Wolf
Turtle
Hummingbird
Orca
Owl
Buffalo
Studio Carving Experience
Bear
Wolf
Turtle
Orca
Events
Registration may be handled by USE or by the host venue, depending on the event.
| Event | Date | Time | Location | Price | Register |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Neuromancer | William Gibson | 1984 | 0-441-56956-0 | ||
| Snow Crash | Neal Stephenson | 1992 | 0-553-08853-X | ||
| Software | Rudy Rucker | 1982 | 0-441-77408-3 |
Corporate Team Building | Tourism | Retreats
Corporate WorkshopsUnique team-building experiences that reduce stress, spark creativity, and strengthen collaboration.
Tourism WorkshopsA hands-on cultural experience for visitors — have fun, create your own carved piece and take home more than a souvenir.
Retreats (Coming Soon)Immersive 3- and 5-day retreats combining carving, meditation, and personal growth in a supportive setting.
Public | Libraries | Community Agencies
Public WorkshopsOpen workshops where anyone can join in, carve, and connect — no experience needed.
Library WorkshopsCreative, hands-on programs designed for all ages, bringing soapstone carving into your local library.
Community Agency WorkshopsTailored workshops that foster connection, growth, and resilience in the communities you serve.
Click the Programs button for more details.
Schools | Studio | Private
SchoolsHands-on carving workshops designed for classrooms of all ages — engaging, creative, and curriculum-friendly.
Studio (Coming Soon)Weekly classes that blend sculpture and meditation, giving you time to create, reflect, and grow.
Private WorkshopsBring family, friends, or community groups together through a unique and memorable carving experience.
Click the Programs button for more details.
Mission Statement
We invite people to get out of their heads and into their hands — using mindfulness, meditation, and unique sculpture experiences.
In that space, transformation occurs: people turn distraction into focus, isolation into connection, and feeling lost into quiet acts of self-discovery.
Vision Statement
We envision a world where creativity and connection are awakened through mindful, hands-on experiences — where people of all ages and backgrounds rediscover themselves by shaping something real.
About Us
We create mindset shifts by combining mindfulness, meditation, and hands-on sculpture experiences.
It’s more than just carving — it’s about unlocking creativity, focus, and personal growth through a unique process of transformation.
When we carve, we’re not just shaping stone — we’re shaping ourselves. We slow down, tune in, and create something meaningful.
It’s an experience that stays with people long after they leave the workshop. Whether you're part of a corporate team, a retreat group, a school, or a curious individual, we guide you through a tactile process that invites presence and personal insight.
Remember — leave your “can’t” at the door.
Corporate Team Building Experiences
Get out of your head. Into your hands.
A mindful team-building experience that transforms stress into focus, isolation into connection, and thought into quiet acts of creativity.
THE EXPERIENCE
What Makes This Team-Building Experience Different?
This isn’t another trust fall or escape room.
We combine mindfulness, meditation, and sculpture to create a unique environment where teams reconnect — with themselves and each other.Through guided carving sessions, participants learn to slow down, tune in, and work with real materials — discovering creativity, patience, and presence.
When we carve, we’re not just shaping stone — we’re shaping ourselves.
Real change happens when hands, minds, and hearts work together.
Outcomes for Teams
Results That Go Beyond the Workshop
🧘 Stress Reduction & Focus
Mindful carving calms the mind, helping participants regulate attention and emotion.
🤝 Collaboration & Communication
Working side-by-side breaks down barriers and builds empathy, respect, and connection.
💡 Innovation & Growth Mindset
Creative problem-solving and patience translate directly into better teamwork and resilience.
🪨 A Lasting Takeaway
Each participant leaves with a hand-carved stone sculpture — a tangible reminder of focus, creativity, and transformation.
What to Expect
A Flow That Balances Mind and Hands
Visualize the rhythm of the day — calm, engaging, and meaningful.1) Guided Grounding — Brief mindfulness or meditation to center the group.2) Carving Experience — Step-by-step creation of a personal sculpture.3) Reflection & Sharing — Closing circle to connect insights and celebrate outcomes.
Why It Works
Where Science Meets Creativity
Research shows that hands-on, mindful activities engage both hemispheres of the brain, reducing stress and increasing focus, resilience, and problem-solving ability.
By blending tactile creativity with presence, teams experience what it truly means to be “in flow.”“Creativity is intelligence having fun.” — Albert Einstein
What Teams Are Saying
“Our staff left recharged and connected. The carving was meditative, and everyone talked about it for weeks.”
— Sarah R., HR Director, Calgary Non-Profit
Ready to Leave “Can’t” at the Door™?
Bring your team together for an unforgettable experience of creativity, mindfulness, and connection.
Rediscover what it means to be present, work together, and create something real.
Retreats
Thanks for reaching out — here’s what to expect
Hi,Thanks for getting in touch.
We’ve received your message and will review it shortly.
We’ll follow up soon to discuss fit and next steps.— Unique Soapstone Experiences