My roommate Jennifer and I found ourselves reaping the benefits of an insatiable curiosity last week as we wandered down Cahuenga Blvd with empty stomachs and eager hearts. Through the window of the TOMS pop –up shop at Space15twenty I spotted some colorful interesting people, craft tables , buckets of paper and shiny things, and an eye-catching wall of larger than life collages that I would later find sewed a story heavier than your average wall decor. After convincing Jennifer that a good dose of arts n’ crafts would be more nourishing than whatever she was going to order for dinner, we ditched our plans and went to see what the fuss was about. Turned out we had arrived right in time for a TOMS- sponsored “Urban Field Journal“ workshop inspired by the work of the late Reuters Journalist and artist Dan Eldon . Two lovely ladies that run the adorable blog http://www.MakeSomethingHappy.com taught us how to assemble personalized journals complete with envelopes tucked between the mismatched pages to save little tokens of your urban adventures.
And now for the WHO/WHAT/WHEN/WHERE/WHY
WHO is Dan Eldon?
Someone too multifaceted and inspiring to sum up here, Dan was a journalist who was tragically killed in Mogadishu. His book art is incredibly beautiful. Check out his website for his whole story.
“Dan Eldon was an artist, adventurer and activist. The spunky and incredibly talented Dan left a legacy and a powerful humanitarian spirit that continues to inspire people of all ages all over the world”
http://www.daneldon.org/site/
WHAT the heck is an Urban Field Journal?
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WHEN can I make one of these nifty lil’ thangs? And…WHERE?
How about TODAY at the drop in Journal Making Workshop at the Craft In America Study Center from 12pm-5pm!
Craft in America Study Center, 8415 W. Third St. Los Angeles, CA
http://www.craftinamerica.org/studycenter/story_498.php
WHY are these people so fun to look at?
Because they wear shirts with cats playing keyboards in space with a blazer.
Because they look like they’re wearing a Dan Eldon collage
Because I’ll always love a man in pink who comes prepared with his camera-unlike me
(sorry for the low quality cell phone pics!)
My Ensemble:
This event caught me in an outfit that is a prime example of how you can get “crafty” with your wardrobe staples by mixing them with a bold thrift store find.
Staples:
Thin braided leather belt
Chunky metal necklace from Wasteland. Go big. I may as well pierce this thing to my neck I wear it so often.
70’s inspired floppy hat. Wear with an easy-as-pie messy side braid on those lazy hair days.
I found this plum colored bohemian pleated dress at the thrift store. Cinch in the waist with my trusty belt, add leather + wood heels, a chunky gold-metal necklace and a worn denim vest, throw me some hardcore impromptu crafting: I’m set.
Moral of the story is… be spontaneous ( with your wardrobe, with your life) There is so much in this world we will never see, why waste time doing the same old same old? In my experience, some of the best things in life have come from deviating from the plan. I have met the most passionate people , seen the most beautiful things, and of course, found my favorite outfits by ditching the expected and venturing out of my comfort zone. Thank you to all who were involved in the Urban Field Journal workshop. Whether you were sharing the life and works of Dan Eldon, sewing the pages of my new journal together or just wearing something unique while crafting, I feel my life is a little bit richer because I’ve met you.
Wander off to wonder my friends.
Crafty Love,
Amanda
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