There are some great retreats not too far from Little Rock:

 Shreveport Bead Retreat - August 3-7, 2007

http://iwilli71129.tripod.com/2ndshreveportbeadretreat/

 

Arkansas Bead Cave - October 5-7, 2007

http://groups.yahoo.com/group/ArkansasBeaders/ for the Yahoo Group to get more information.