For those who don’t know much about junk journals, they are similar to scrapbooks - with the major difference being that junk journals are handmade books primarily made with found & recycled (or repurposed) materials. As such, the process makes the books a combination of paper (or mixed media) arts and journaling, whether that journaling is for the written word, drawing or doodling, photos, or some combination thereof.
In the words of Chelle, the creator of Art Journalist, a junk journal is “a book which is often made through found and recycled materials to be used as a way to collect and record memories, thoughts, ideas, and inspiration.”
But as I always say, there's no junk journal police - so do what you want!
If you’ve ever enjoyed flipping through vintage scrapbooks, you’ll love junk journals.
Shown above are some old scrapbooks as seen in Scrapbooks: An American History by Jessica Helfand.
Below are some pages from one of Zelda Fitzgerald’s scrapbooks, described by Jessica Helfand as “a series of marvelous makeshift collages that combine found matter with drawing & writings,” and a “compendium of letters, photographs, clippings, reviews, invitations, gossip, and idle chatter.”
Yummy!
Who knows, one day, someone may be as enchanted by turning the pages of your junk journal as many of us are looking at Zelda Fitzgerald’s scrapbook!
Because you create junk journals, the books are as individual as you are. Junk Journals can be shades of vintage ivory & white, full of crazy wild pop art color, soft & romantic - they can be about journaling your travel, planning your wedding, documenting your life - or your pets’! Other junk journal ideas include: holidays, family reunions, memento scrapbooks, gifts, gratitude journals, motivational goal journals (equal parts workbook, journal, & planner), grimoires, guestbooks, pure therapy, poetry chapbooks, works of fiction and imagination...
You can sketch, collage, paint, color, do mixed media - the possibilities in themes and purpose are as endless as your creativity & materials! I've sold many of my junk journals for so many different purposes - & likely will never tire of hearing more! - that I find junk journals to be an unlimited source of inspiration.
And unlike many traditional journals, junk journals are more inclined to be revisited. For example, you likely do not want to go back & reread about your horrible break up or that summer with that terrible boss - but those wicked doodles depicting what those bad people could do to themselves are worth revisiting!
Instead of buying an artsy journal, fancy leather notebook, scrapbook, blank book or one of journals, you can make your own junk journal with me!
In my junk journal workshops I walk you through the basics of making your own journals - you will leave with a bound book to continue your journaling fun! Seating is always limited so that you can have time for one-on-one assistance.
There are a few books available to buy on how to make a junk journal, as well as video guides and tips, but in my hands-on workshops you can ask questions as you are making one!
Of course, the boutique also offers old paper, ephemera, ribbons, bits & bobs to continue embellishing your journal - and start new ones.
My monthly Junk Journaling Workshops are a great way to get your DIY on and experience junk journaling magic. After all, it's witch-craft!
Look at my Eventbrite page for Junk Journal Workshop dates. These workshops are held in LunaTique Boutique, located inside First Avenue Market, at 612 1st Avenue N in downtown Fargo, North Dakota. For those who cannot make these junk journal classes, the boutique has many varieties of these handmade junk journals for you to purchase.
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