We can hear you asking: what is a junk journal?
Typically, it’s a type of journal or something similar to a scrapbook that you can collect recycled and found materials in to make artsy spreads that suit your style. They’re a great way to collect memories for places you’ve been, things you’ve experienced, or even food and drink that you’ve had.
The style will naturally vary from person to person, but that’s the beauty of it, and it makes it extra fun when showing junk spreads to each other – since every page will be unique! Some people keep them as a way of collecting a little bit of everything they do in one place, some people keep them purely as a way of doing their bit to help the planet by recycling, and some just use it purely as a creative outlet.
Junk journals can be made in a number of ways:
– Themed pages for a place you’ve visited
– Colour matched content
– One-page spreads dedicated to a restaurant or café
– As inspiration for future plans
– As an art journal
We like to use our journal as a way of keeping memories, but we also like the idea of combining this approach with making a journal into a gift for a close friend – perhaps as a memento of times we’ve spent together. Of course, you can use it as an everyday journal for writing or even as a planner – there’s nothing wrong with using your junk journal pages as a backdrop.
Some people like to make their own journal from scratch using a variety of methods: sewn book bound, ring bound or adhesive bound. We’re using our own Illustrare journal for ours, you can see an example below.
So what’s next? Collect some materials from anywhere, grab a glue stick and get going! Remember, you don’t need to have a theme, it’s entirely optional!
Here are some ideas on what you can collect:
– Receipts
– Travel tickets, such as train or bus
– Stickers and packaging from food and drink
– Newspaper and magazine clippings
– Old books and postcards
– Glue and washi tape
– Scissors – if you don’t want to tear things for that casual look
See how you go with your new junk journal and let us know via our socials! We’d love to see what everyone makes!
