Hello my Sweet Strawberries!
So let's talk about money and how that can affect the quality of your products.
I am BROKE! Lol (really crying inside)!
When you don't have the money to spend on your crafts it can put a real damper on things. But let me encourage you guys. With 10 great tips to junk journal on a shoe string budget.
1. Be creative
I can't afford patterned paper so why not make my own? That's exactly what I did
Using copy paper that I wrote a book excerpt and magazine pages ripped up in interesting ways.
2. Buy inexpensive items. After doing a dollar store challenge I realized there are cheap items you can use to give a beautiful look to your journals.
The first picture is a small three dollar haul from Dollar tree. The second picture is me tea dying one of the calendar pages. And it turned out beautiful. Be unexpected, calendars, magazines, children's books.
The following tip I don't have pictures for yet but it is still a good one.
3. Use book pages. Yes you can use book pages to make inserts but a variety of other embellishments like:
-pockets
-paper flowers
-envolopes
-paper clip embelishments
-patterned papers
-belly bands
4. Make your own washi! I don't know why I am so obsessed with this but I find it so fascinating to make your own washi using masking tape. I made a couple pieces and I think man if I had better markers and pens this would be amazing!
5. Use nature! For my autumn journal I literally took a walk and collect leaves and pressed them to add interest to my journal. You can do that as well. One of the most interesting junk journal youtubers literally uses pressed flowers throughout all her books and they are so beautiful! Here is an example of mine.
6. Hand paint your papers! That is something else I am doing to add interest to my journals and when I can finally afford papers I may still do it. Some paintings turn out better than others. I suggest starting with water color because it is very inexpensive for a beginner.
7. Use the tools that you have! So I have been deep into journaling for about a month and I don't have the good tools yet but I literally just started somewhere. I am still using rounded tipped child scissors and started by using elemers glue and a glue gun. It's ok! I don't have die cuts, stencils, or stamps yet. But you can still start to practice techniques if you just start!
8. Watch a variety of Youtubers! You will learn so much and find out so many money saving tips and tricks. Make sure you watch from a variety of styles because even if it isn't your preferred style you can still learn some invaluable information.
9. Thrift store!!! You should already know this but you can find some absolute gems at the thrift store. I suggest you try the smaller ones or the ones outside of the city where the prices will be a little less intense. I know this is obvious but it's still one of the best places to find interesting and antique items.
10. Remember the origins of junk journaling and use your trash! That old book can be used as a book cover, book pages and embellishment. Junk mail can be cut up and made into mosaic designs. Old envelopes can be used as book pages and pockets. Just be creative and on the look out. I was at my sister in-laws birthday and she had a beautiful designer cake. It had a rhinestone embellishment on the bottom. I asked for the sparkly piece so quick lol! Don't be ashamed because when you bring them a beautiful crafted piece with that embellishment they will be so amazed!
I hope that helps someone. Please comment if you have other money saving tips for junk journalers!
Check out my youtube channel: BerryDeliciousArt
