BellaOnline Forums Beauty and Self Journals Journal Making

How many people are making their own journals? I took a bookmaking class at the college several years ago and I just love it. My specialty became working with recycled paper such as junk mail and packaging. I loved putting free materials to work to create beautiful journals.

I'd love to see one of your journals! Got any photos?

I had made a journal one time many years ago but it was quite rudimentary~ I'd love to invest some time and make a real nice mixed media art one now.


I have seen some tutorials on line~ they are quite lovely.

Mary Caliendo
Tea Editor

I've never taken a bookmaking class, and so would have no idea how to make a journal. I've read a lot about art journaling, however, and have seen an interesting suggestion: go to a used bookstore and buy an old book, then cover the pages with gesso and use it as a visual journal. I'm really interested in trying art journaling at the moment, so this is one way I might approach it.

I took bookmaking and it was so fun. Probably the most I've ever had in a class. I'd show you some of mine but they are packed right now. I'm still going through the boxes in my storage shed trying to find my tools, supplies, etc. I found some of my YES Paste and a bone folder so I'm going to try a little project - maybe an accordion book with lots of pages.