Beginner Junk (Artisanal) Journals
Beginner’s guide to creating junk journals and ecological art:
An ephemeral journey of collections.
By Irene Doucet
WHERE DO I BEGIN?
Getting started with junk journals, artisanal journals, and ecological art may seem daunting. Here are some ideas to think of if you are interested in beginning a journey into creative pursuits using things you may already have at home.
JUST BEGIN!
As a beginner, it may seem overwhelming to create art or journals because of the variety of materials professionals use to create them. You need not invest in supplies too soon or buy everything at once. Read on to find out why.
Some tools needed for making artisanal journals and ecological art may be new to you. In addition, the art supplies needed to make decorative pages are expensive. Not to mention that the tools could be specialized if you want to pursue making art and journals for selling occasionally, for gift giving or perhaps even as a job. You can begin making journals and art with a minimal supply of tools. All the tools you need to begin are a pencil, a ruler, a needle and thread or yarn, glue, scissors, and a cutting tool such as a knife with a retractable blade and a self-healing mat. If you have copy paper, notebook paper, or other kinds of paper you are ready to begin!
I recommend you begin with minimal supplies as this will boost your creativity. Plus many beginners are afraid of using supplies that are one-of-a-kind or expensive. Many get creative blocks that halt their efforts to just try. Also beginning with simple supplies will boost your confidence and if you mess up you can chalk it up to experience gained. The wasted materials were inexpensive anyway and may be reused in another project. Create simple items until you have the ability and experience to move on. Begin with simple notepads, thin booklets, and list pads until your sewing and design skills are honed.
Some tools needed for making artisanal journals and ecological art may be new to you. In addition, the art supplies needed to make decorative pages are expensive. Not to mention that the tools could be specialized if you want to pursue making art and journals for selling occasionally, for gift giving or perhaps even as a job. You can begin making journals and art with a minimal supply of tools. All the tools you need to begin are a pencil, a ruler, a needle and thread or yarn, glue, scissors, and a cutting tool such as a knife with a retractable blade and a self-healing mat. If you have copy paper, notebook paper, or other kinds of paper you are ready to begin!
I recommend you begin with minimal supplies as this will boost your creativity. Plus many beginners are afraid of using supplies that are one-of-a-kind or expensive. Many get creative blocks that halt their efforts to just try. Also beginning with simple supplies will boost your confidence and if you mess up you can chalk it up to experience gained. The wasted materials were inexpensive anyway and may be reused in another project. Create simple items until you have the ability and experience to move on. Begin with simple notepads, thin booklets, and list pads until your sewing and design skills are honed.
ON BEING RESOURCEFUL
So you wish to make art with your trash?
Do you want to learn to make junk journals?
Have you decided to create a stash of collected items to use to create them?
Yay! For me, anything can be a craft item and I look at everything differently now. Before discarding items I ask myself: “What could I make with this?” With research, I have come to acquire a bank of knowledge for each type of item that would otherwise go into the trash bin. I have also researched ways to make my supplies at home for making ink, ink sprays, ink pads, stencils, glue for paper, and so much more that I needed to organize onto recipe cards.
Do you want to learn to make junk journals?
Have you decided to create a stash of collected items to use to create them?
Yay! For me, anything can be a craft item and I look at everything differently now. Before discarding items I ask myself: “What could I make with this?” With research, I have come to acquire a bank of knowledge for each type of item that would otherwise go into the trash bin. I have also researched ways to make my supplies at home for making ink, ink sprays, ink pads, stencils, glue for paper, and so much more that I needed to organize onto recipe cards.
JUNK JOURNALS/ ARTISANAL JOURNALS
A junk journal or an artisanal journal is a stack of bound pages that make up a type of book or a personal journal. It provides a place where you can journal, write, draw, store photos, and perhaps even a place to jot down ideas and lists. They can be used however you would like. Made from recycled and/or new materials that have been creatively put together and bound to make a journal or book they can be plain or heavily decorated with artwork. Some have pockets to store tags journaling cards or personal items in. They can have all white or colored paper. Music paper, book pages, graph paper, vintage paper, and photographs…They come in all sizes and shapes. They have flips and flaps, inserts, , tuck spots, belly bands, folios, and on and on. They are simple or diverse.
Do you want to reduce your waste and reduce your ecological footprint?
Ecological art uses recycled materials to create something different. It can make a statement about saving the environment or simply be artistic if not useful.
Ecological art uses recycled materials to create something different. It can make a statement about saving the environment or simply be artistic if not useful.
EPHEMERA
To begin your collection of items or ephemera (things used for a short period such as ticket stubs, stamps, opera brochures, etc. ) for your art or journal making follow the steps below.
SHOP AT HOME
To reduce your ecological footprint and find items to use in your creations one way could be to declutter your home. Rediscover some personal collections in your home that may be stored and unused hidden away. They may be used in your artwork. Select buttons, and worn clothing with lace, trim, or fabric that you can harvest. Old or broken jewelry, greeting cards, postcards, party napkins,
SHOP FROM YOUR “TRASH“
Before you pitch these items into the bin, look again! See them as potential art or parts of homemade ephemera. Items such as wrapping paper, coffee cans, food containers and boxes, cardboard, magazines, newspapers, junk mail, photographs, letters, etc.
KNOCK ON WOOD
Ask friends and neighbors to collect items or donate them to you.
The dilemma: some people aren’t willing to transform, reuse things a different way, or disassemble them. Old photographs, books, biblical items, and vintage items are often difficult for some people to let go. Sometimes you may find it difficult to use or disassemble certain items. I still own items that I have not been able to tear apart yet or break down to use in my art. This is fine. Hold onto these items. Historical items should be stored and filed or given to your local historical conservation area. For example, a letter from your grandfather to a local church for services and repairs on the doors in 1888 is a part of its history. Most items can be reused in a different fashion, transforming them into items that can be loved and used again.
The dilemma: some people aren’t willing to transform, reuse things a different way, or disassemble them. Old photographs, books, biblical items, and vintage items are often difficult for some people to let go. Sometimes you may find it difficult to use or disassemble certain items. I still own items that I have not been able to tear apart yet or break down to use in my art. This is fine. Hold onto these items. Historical items should be stored and filed or given to your local historical conservation area. For example, a letter from your grandfather to a local church for services and repairs on the doors in 1888 is a part of its history. Most items can be reused in a different fashion, transforming them into items that can be loved and used again.
FREEBIES
Collect paint sample cards, unused paint, pamphlets, calendars, partially used notebooks, travel brochures, magazines, flyers, mail envelopes, and books. Be sure to know the copyright uses for books and magazines. Many are fine if you use a sample of their work or modify it in a certain way but research is necessary before selling your creations. This topic will be covered in a later post on this blog.
SECOND CHANCES
To supplement your supplies, second-hand shops, and thrift shops are great places to look for items to use. Vintage lace, embroidery thread, and old jewelry are great choices.
Look on Facebook marketplace in the scrapbooking section too. When I need designer paper, stamps, or tools I head there first. It is local and might save a bit of garbage from the landfills.
Look on Facebook marketplace in the scrapbooking section too. When I need designer paper, stamps, or tools I head there first. It is local and might save a bit of garbage from the landfills.
STORAGE
Before we continue on our quest for supplies to collect, may I remind you to limit your collections? Here’s one way to do this. Decorate a medium-sized box to house your collected items. Ask your family to keep items in the box after cleaning them before they throw them in the bin. Example: cereal boxes and liners, containers, cans…This way you can select items that you want to keep as you go through the box once it’s full. It took me several months before my family would ask me if I wanted to keep a certain box or plastic container as they used them. I also let them know if I’m collecting certain items such as envelopes when I have used up my stash. Once the box is full, empty it and organize your items into collections. Store them in pretty containers. Find containers and decorate them. They can be ones you have purchased or already have in your possession, plastic containers, boxes, baskets, and more that you have collected. If you want to be frugal like me, use containers that you will be throwing away in the bin. I like to collect the clear plastic containers that lettuce is sold in. They stack well, they are lightweight and I can easily see what is in them before reading their labels. Plastic containers and tin cans can be covered in paper with Mod Podge as another alternative. I enjoy painting a coat of homemade gesso or texture paste on plastic if I don’t like the design on them such as margarine containers. After they’re dry, I paint them to match my decor. Label them according to the items inside. Once they’re full, either stop collecting or use some up to make space for more.
SPENDING TIPS:
To create art or journals, new materials may be used. You might want to purchase stickers, designer paper, and other supplies when needed if you can’t find them on marketplace or thrift shops. If you’re designing a journal about dragons and need supplies to decorate pages or to make homemade ephemera to add to the pockets, tuck spots, or add on with a paper clip you may have to buy new.
BASIC TOOLS
Do not rush out and buy all of your supplies at once. You may become overwhelmed or worse you may not have the chance to try new and different ways to create. Needing to come up with solutions to some problems that I encountered forced me to think. I miss those days when I had fewer things and needed to be resourceful. It helped boost creativity. In addition, it provided opportunities for designing in my style since I only had basic supplies that I liked.
I acquired most of my tools on marketplace when I purchased boxes of supplies. Stamps, inks, stickers, designer paper, a heat tool heat embossing powders, etc were included with other purchases I made. Items such as an awl and an upholstery needle were purchased new to help make binding journals more efficient.
I acquired most of my tools on marketplace when I purchased boxes of supplies. Stamps, inks, stickers, designer paper, a heat tool heat embossing powders, etc were included with other purchases I made. Items such as an awl and an upholstery needle were purchased new to help make binding journals more efficient.
DEVELOPING A STYLE
In time you will develop a style you enjoy the most. I have realized that my style is more of a soft vintage one that is chic looking. I less enjoy the grungy look when making art and artisanal journals. My style includes floral prints with trims and lace. However, I prefer bold colors at times. For this reason, my choice collections tend towards old lace, crocheted doilies and flowers, shabby soft fabric flowers, pretty trim pieces, and hand made paper. I enjoy dying lace, trims, and paper to match the subject matter of the journal I’m working on. For example, a journal decorated with birds as a theme throughout it or a specific color scheme for the whole journal.
LETS GET CREATING!
You need not wait to begin creating. It only requires a few tools to begin. Use what you have and see what you can make! Watch videos on how to make items before you decide to purchase them. I made homemade stamping platforms in two sizes, some beading tools, a tray for glitter and embossing powder, tearing rulers, and plenty more items!
My preference for creating covers for journals is to use cereal boxes because of their sturdiness and because I only need to cut the top and bottom flaps off. I use the extra flap to create a side pocket on the front.
Begin thinking from inside the box and start your creative journey now!
My preference for creating covers for journals is to use cereal boxes because of their sturdiness and because I only need to cut the top and bottom flaps off. I use the extra flap to create a side pocket on the front.
Begin thinking from inside the box and start your creative journey now!
Written by Irene Doucet