When an already inspired environment generates opportunities for further creative growth, I get very excited. I had been to the Four Seasons Hotel Westlake Village on several occasions – their spa is daycation default. And I harbour a long-standing love of Soolip, the LA based artisanal stationary designer, who educated me in the ways of letter press and Fabriano back in the early 2000s. The union of the two, paper and panache, had me instantly.
Aptly set in their greenhouse (where blossoming is a regular occurrence), a series of bespoke creative arts workshops kickstart on September 21st, 2024. Wanda Wen, founder and owner of Soolip, hosts a line-up that spans stationery and card making to enchanted fairy house design to photo journal bookmaking to the art of copperplate calligraphy. Designed to dedicate a space for the tactile and the handcrafted, this curated collection of classes is a hands-on hearts-in hybrid way to well.
And Wanda. Embodiment of her brand, she is Soolip in all the ways – Wanda could cultivate inspiration in essence, aura, and smile alone. What she brings to a room is a warmth and a welcome for all to drop pretence, pick up paper from the luscious stacks of deckled edge Fabriano, play with ribbon and dried flowers and waxed twine and most of all, enjoy where the process takes us.
I was able to attend the initial workshop – Paper Play: Stationery and Card Making. An alchemy of nature, artistic whim, and paper so purely pretty, the creative process is an absolute joyride. Guided by Wanda, her love of creative expression is intoxicating, invigorating and instilling of the sentiment that artful manifestation is directly tied to our health and wellbeing. I love this. I try so hard to live this.
Improved cognitive function, stress reduction, neuroplasticity stimulation; three of a lengthy list of reasons why playing is so pivotal to our vitality. It is the easiest thing to forget and the most joyful shift to embrace. You don’t even have to understand the science. Just engage in the tactile, the sensory and pay attention to how you feel.
Available to overnight guests and to the public, classes begin at $245 and include guided instruction, all materials, some snacks and some drinks. With the price of admission, we have all day access to the Cove, their outdoor enclave where daybeds and hammocks and terraced lounges surround a sea of swim, jetted spas and the Santa Monica mountains. There’s an al fresco restaurant and bar too. All set in the Four Seasons standard of shut it all out and take in the serene.
Digitally detoxed (try it, I dare you), we left with a hand created collection of personalized flax linen notecards (10), plus flax linen gift tags (10), and a J. Herbin Fountain Pen with two ink colors. All housed in a stationary box that is art all by itself.
It is a treat, living where inventiveness abounds in spheres such as this. The intention here is clear: inspire through tapping into our creative corners and inviting them out into the open. There is something about working with our hands that gets us out of our heads, it is science, and it is rejuvenating. A retreat and a relief and a reality check on how much more this should be a part of our regular, and could be, with just a few intentional shifts.
I love and subscribe to all that harkens our creative essences, all that encourages a community of collaboration and curiosity and doubles down on our desire to keep growing. These artisanal workshops in the Greenhouse at the Four Seasons Westlake Village offer that and deliver in spades. If you are able, I encourage them wholeheartedly.
The Details
Four Seasons Hotel Westlake Village, Two Dole Drive, Westlake Village, CA 91362, United States.
Hotel Tel: +1(818) 575-3067
Workshop Booking Tel: +1(310) 360-0545
Email: Eric.Vann@fourseasons.com
Website: www.fourseasons.com/westlakevillage
Classes book up quickly, so reserve as early as possible. Clear the day to absorb as much post-workshop Cove time as you can. It’s a fantastic daycation option with a speciality activity built in and a spectacular experiential gift for yourself or your someone. It’s also such a fantastic offering for anyone looking to step outside their everyday and remember why putting pen to paper is an art that should never be lost.
Author Bio:
Jolie Loeb is a Luxury Lifestyle columnist based in Los Angeles.
Photographs by Jolie Loeb
Love this. Just read and really enjoyed. Would have loved to go this workshop,
Oh Ingrid! There are so many you’d love!!
Check out the line-up: https://www.soolip.com/shop/workshops
Hi Ingrid,
Come to one of our upcoming workshops. They are all excellent and will ignite your creative spirit. No prerequisite, come as you are 😉
Beautiful. Cool idea!!
I’M ALWAYS LOOKING FOR THINGS MY DAUGHTER AND I CAN DO TOGETHER AND THIS IS PERFECT! THANKS, AS ALWAYS, FOR THE WONDERFUL SUGGESTIONS.
My pleasure! There’s a Making of and Enchanted Fairy House on December 7th. Please go and tell me how wonderful it was!!
https://www.soolip.com/shop/workshops
I want to go everyday and take every possible workshop!!!!
Take me!
This sounds lovely. I had no idea something like this was so close to home.
“artful manifestation is directly tied to our health and wellbeing”
Wow!I cannot agree more. You find the best things and your descriptions are so lovely. I’m very glad to be aware of this gorgeous restful place.
Wow – sounds like a nice little escape- practically in our backyard!
You must you must!! I went to the first of a series – there are so many good ones coming up! Have a look!
https://www.soolip.com/shop/workshops
Neuroplasticity stimulation! I will confess that before this fantastic article I had no idea what this is. Now that I do, I want it. If I can get it from a class at the Four Seasons, sign me up!
Sounds GLORIOUS, Jolie! Thanks for so beautifully articulating this experience. Feels like I was there!
This is a great idea! Spend part of the day at the spa and the other half creating and making things (or vice versa)! Thank you for letting us all know about it!
EXACTLY! And most of the classes are scheduled on the early side to leave the rest of the day to pool and spa and marinate in your creative inspiration. .
Oh this looks wonderful! I love how creativity is so important for our well-being, and how these workshops help nurture that connection! Thank you, once, again, Jolie!
It really is! Creativity helps relax a spinning mind as our hands become another expressive outlet
WELL SAID!
Jolie always makes you immerse in the experience.
Digital detox dare accepted. Great article!
Wonderful write-up! Brilliant idea and I just signed up. It’s such a great deal and I can’t think of a better way to spend a day.
I can’t speak to the Four Seasons Spa (could hazard a guess, though) but Soolip, I’m well familiar. To know Wanda and her whims, is to love her and everything she sets her hands to. If it’s a class she’s offering, you will learn whatever it is she’s teaching, but more, you will appreciate every carefully selected element that goes into it–and why it matters. This sounds like the most magical of pairings – Wanda and the Westlake Village Four Seasons.
Ahhhh, your words, thank you. Please come to one of our offerings this fall. Would love to see you in the Greenhouse 😉
Love the idea of a digital detox and spending time enjoying a beautiful environment and a creative pursuit!
Sounds so nice. Your organization and attention to detail are impressive.
You had me at daycation and digital detox. Well the Four Seasons really 🙂
I’m intrigued. Mostly as a gift, but perhaps I should try something that is really out of my element. Thank you for the sharing your experience
Wanda sounds inspirational and the workshops sound invigorating! What a wonderful way to spend a day with family and friends. Thanks for sharing.
How did I not know about this heavenly and creatively abundant experience? I love this place! Will definitely be planning an excursion in the near future. Thank you!
With all of the great beauty that is embodied in a shared creative process, and especially in such a wonderful environment, I am most moved by the re-creating of an almost-lost art: that of the written letter. There is nothing at all like a hand-written note on special paper, feeling the texture in your hands as you read the heart and mind of another. There’s nothing like looking back on these delights years later and receiving the gift of memory as only the pre-digital age can. I love that this workshop exists. And I love how you wrote about it. Makes me want to go there asap!
Hi Roni!
I love your thoughts about the written letter. Join us for The Art of Lettering, Copperplate Calligraphy on Saturday, Oct 19. You will be so happy you did. No previous experience needed. x Wanda
That would be such a great place to have a birthday party or get -together!!
This sounds beyond enchanting! Yes, please!
What a perfect gift for Maddie! Combining her creative energy with a day at the spa! Couldn’t get any better for her (and me sharing this experience with her).
What a delightful initiative by Four Seasons Westlake Village! The combination of artisanal stationery workshops and a beautiful setting is truly inspiring. Wanda Wen’s passion for creativity shines through, making these sessions a perfect way to unwind and reconnect with our artistic sides. I wholeheartedly agree that engaging in tactile, creative activities enhances our well-being. This sounds like a unique and refreshing experience – I can’t wait to see what amazing creations everyone will come up with! 🌟✍️
Thor – can you join us for one of our upcoming workshops? Would love to see you in the Greenhouse at Four Seasons and seeing you ignite your creative muscle 😉
What a soul filling way to enjoy an afternoon, in such an enchanting space, nonetheless. Would love to check this out.
I can’t imagine any experience more up lifting. Completely apart from all else we mundanely afford ourselves. ThankYou for making this activity a bucket list must!
Looks like fun. Loved her review. Sign me up!
It wasn’t on my radar before, but it certainly is now! Great article!!
This sounds so nice, Jolie! Never heard of something like this but boyI would I love to do a daycation there. Sign me up!! You are always so inspiring. Thank you for sharing.
Someone thought of a great way to relax in a beautiful setting and be creative. Thanks for letting us know!!!
Sounds like a great experience. Thanks for sharing!
What a great piece! I was at this workshop and Jolie, you capture the vibe perfectly. Wanda and her instructors are treasures! I’d go to all these season’s workshops if I could 🙂
What a fun event! Thank you for sharing!
OMG!!!!!
I cried when Soolip closed on Melrose!!!!!
They did my business cards.
Wedding invitations (not their fault😛)
Wedding flowers!!!!
They had the best of EVERYTHING
So tasteful and talented & inspired
I have metal boxes in my house that say SOOLIP
2 leather containers with lids.
That was my happy & inspired home❤️
SPEAKING MY LANGUAGE!!! I cried too! What I didn’t know was that she relocated. Let me save you the search.
1800 Bridgegate Street, no. 104
Westlake Village, California, 91361
(310) 360-0545
Tuesday thru Friday
10 am – 3 pm
or by appointment
See you there.