Junk Journal - a handmade book of recycled, found materials and ephemera.
Try making your own from discarded items or learn from others inspirations,
Here is how...
Simple Steps
to
Make Your Own Journal
1. Grab a stash of papers, cardstock, cardboard, food boxes (out of the bin if you have to), junk mail envelopes, old notebooks with those few blank pages left in them, sticky notes etc etc, some glue, thread, stapler and whatever else you might like to add onto or in your 'junk journal' / handmade notebook.
2. Make a cover from a box, paper bag, manilla folder or whatever else you have on hand.
3. Create signatures by stacking papers from old notebooks, envelopes, magazines, old books, flyers you get in the mail. Make as many signatures as you like.
4. Bind signatures to the cover with hand stitching such as (easy) pamphlet stitch or even elastic loops over the spine to hold in the signatures.
5. Embellish aka decorate however you like, or not. Glue bits and pieces, draw, paint, stitch, add stickers - whatever you like to personalise your first junk journal.
Now you have yourself your very own junk style journal.
Use for whatever purpose you like.
A quick search on any social media platform will offer you many visual examples of junk journals and inspiration.
Learn more or teach yourself.
How did I learn to create a junk journal? 👉 YouTube!
There are many junk journal YouTube channels and I have learned from many of them. I have a few favourites but always find new videos and channels with tips, tricks, ideas, and inspiration from the many many crafters across the world.
There are no rules, no expectations, no one way to create - you put stuff together and turn it into a unique bespoke journal and use it as a notebook.
My Inspiration
If you are interested to learn from other crafters - here are some creators that continue to inspire me with their very own creations and processes.
There are many many creators out there - I have watched way too many videos from alot of creators. The below is a good starting place to learn about how other crafters create something from nothing.
There are new creators popping up all the time so search on whatever platform you prefer to find your favourite junk journal tutorials.
Happy crafting! 🥰
https://www.youtube.com/@TreasureBooks
https://www.youtube.com/@TealandTattered
https://www.youtube.com/@joiedefi
https://www.youtube.com/@Saacibo
https://www.youtube.com/@NiktheBooksmith
https://www.youtube.com/@ThePaperOutpost
https://www.youtube.com/@49dragonflies
https://www.youtube.com/@joyjunktique
https://www.youtube.com/@roxycreations679
https://www.youtube.com/@LisaPhillippi
https://www.youtube.com/@amitybloom159
https://www.youtube.com/@RecraftedByCarol
https://www.youtube.com/@sara-leearmstrong5009
https://www.youtube.com/@septeriasroom
https://www.youtube.com/@CathysGardenllc
https://www.youtube.com/@CameliaCraftsDesigns
https://www.youtube.com/@JuniDesiree
https://www.youtube.com/@LeCafeCraft
https://www.youtube.com/@GlamJunkJournals
and there are soooo many more - too many to keep adding here.
Whilst junk journals and ephemera are unique handmade items,
they don't have to be kept forever.
You do whatever you want with them.
Recycle, re-use, re-purpose
- however you want.