Join us for a calm crafting session led by Chloe where we will be practicing the process of “junk journalling” together. Similar to scrapbooking, junk journalling can be a much more relaxed and random process of collecting items from your life to make art.
Chloe Kazantzis (she/they) is a creative arts facilitator and a disability/chronic illness advocate. She has spent her working career supporting people with a range of disabilities, both physical, mental and with learning disabilities. She currently works part time as a support assistant in arts and crafts workshops. Having previously run writing and arts workshops on subjects she enjoys such as artivism, often with a focus on wellbeing, they currently have ambitions to develop a series of “Chronically Creative Workshops” in the future. Chloe enjoys walking, weight lifting, and making art/journalling when she remembers. They call themselves a writer and spiritual mess, and dreams of becoming a published author, personal trainer and to drink every flavour of tea.
@chlokazz@violetgill_writes
What To Expect
We will be using things like scraps of paper, packaging and keepsakes in order to create a piece of artwork. It is similar to scrapbooking, however while a scrapbook is mostly photos and much neater curated process, junk journalling uses what might be considered rubbish, or “the junk”. This junk becomes the focus of the artwork. Something that you might have otherwise put in bin, like a beautiful or colourful piece of packaging you can’t bear to throw away, is transformed and added to a collage on paper.
It is also a much more mindful way of collaging, intentionally taking pieces from everyday life and savouring the moment to have a visual journal to look back on. You might get into a rhythm, or flow state, in your art making while challenging an inner perfectionist to create a spontaneous piece of artwork. It is easier said than done sometimes, having lots of piles of scraps and rubbish can be chaotic, so we hope to facilitate something slow and nourishing, and brings soothing feelings and peace. Almost like decluttering our minds and into our art practice.
Recommended Resource: @manosqueer
What We Have Planned
2pm | Welcome & Introductions
2:15pm | Warm up - cosy page with item, gentle creative mindfulness
2:30pm | Main Tasks – creating your journal pages
3pm | Reflection & Socialising Time
3:30pm | Farewells
What To Bring
You are welcome to bring your own journal, notebook or sketchpad - any type or size is fine!
Feel free to bring your own scraps of paper, mementos like photos, receipts, ticket stubs or even the packaging of your favourite tea. It can be anything at all to cut out and glue on a page.
Don't worry if you forget or can't bring something, we will be providing plain paper, a selection of magazines, some wrapping paper and all necessary crafting materials for you to use on the day.
You may wish to think about what brings you peace or makes you feel cosy, bring one small item you can glue on paper or perhaps draw it to be used for the first activity. This is not at all essential and can be something chosen on the day.
The space has mats, blankets, cushions and some chairs but you may wish to bring along any personal comfort items, an extra layer or favourite blanket. Feel free to bring anything else that will make the experience more comfortable for you – snacks, earplugs, stim or comfort items etc.
Accessibility
This offering is currently booked in a first floor studio and not wheel chair accessible, however efforts will be made to accommodate specific accessibility needs if brought to our attention ahead of time. We may be able to offer online slots or move to the ground floor studio in some cases. There is on street parking nearby and a short journey down a cobbled street is required to access the studio. We have mats and bolsters for seating on the floor (picnic setup) as well as chairs available upon request. There are two gender neutral restrooms in the building one on the same floor and one on the ground floor. There is also a treatment room which can be used as a break out space. There is gas and infrared heating, fans for when it’s warm, as well as tea making facilities on site. The studio has dimmable warm lighting. The studio & equipment is regularly aired and sanitised, however please be considerate of others health and spacial needs when in the space. Do not attend if you are feeling unwell, have any symptoms or could be COVID positive. While we aim to provide a safer environment for our members to practice rest, we do not offer health advice or mental health counselling or therapy. If a member is in need of support beyond our capacity, we can only signpost to qualified services and organisations. Please see our community agreements here. If you have any queries or requests, please contact us here.
Contradictions
This may be strenuous on the hands and back, especially as we will be sat on the floor for this session. There will be plenty of opportunities for breaks and our facilitators will be on hand to offer 1:1 support if need be. Please let us know ahead of time if we can offer additional support or seating arrangements in the space. Please also let us know of any allergies or sensitivities as we may be handling a range of different materials.
Community Agreements
By participating in the Queer n’ Cosy Club communal spaces, from our WhatsApp groups to social media to our live events to online programs, you agree to uphold these commitments to yourself and our community. Please see our community agreements here.
NB - We are not doctors, therapists, or health care providers. You agree to (1) participate in our community only if you feel capable and resourced to explore these practices and discussions in a group setting, (2) seek out a licensed provider, such as a doctor or therapist, if you are experiencing physical or mental health concerns, and (3) not use any of the information we share to diagnose, treat, or delay treatment.
About Our Ticket Fees
For all our offerings we have a tiered suggestion of donations. Supporter Rate (cost of you and another), Sustainer Rate (base cost/just you), Community Rate and Pay What You Can. These donations help cover any expenses for our gatherings, cover facilitator fees with any excess donated to fundraisers or mutual aid. Please consider your available resources and financial privilege when selecting what to donate as spaces are limited. You can find out more about sliding scale pricing here.
We also reserve full scholarship spaces. If none of the pricing options above are accessible and you’d like to attend, just drop Sy a message directly to book a scholarship space.
