May Newsletter, Begins of Junk Journaling

Hello creative souls,

Have you ever wondered where junk journaling really began? While it's grown into a beautiful, expressive art form, the roots of junk journaling are as humble and resourceful as the scraps we use to make them.

A Craft Born from Necessity

The idea of using “junk” for creative journaling has existed for centuries. Before the term “junk journal” was ever coined, people were preserving bits of everyday life—ticket stubs, letters, pressed flowers, and notes—in personal diaries or commonplace books. These books served as both keepsakes and creative outlets.

During wartime or times of scarcity, people repurposed old paper, envelopes, and packaging. Nothing went to waste. That practice became not only a necessity but a form of meaningful storytelling.

The Modern Movement

The term "junk journal" really began gaining traction in the early 2000s with the rise of the handmade and scrapbooking communities online. Crafters started combining found papers, vintage ephemera, and recycled materials into books that weren’t just for journaling—they were works of art.

Platforms like Etsy and YouTube became havens for this blossoming craft. Artists shared tutorials, flip-throughs, and junk journal kits—inviting the world to join in.

Why We Still Love Them

Junk journals blend creativity with sustainability. They allow us to:

• Tell personal stories using everyday materials

• Preserve memories in a tactile, expressive way

• Reuse and reimagine items otherwise headed for the bin

  
  

Whether you're saving a candy wrapper from a date night or collaging a spread from vintage book pages, you're keeping a piece of you in every creation.

In Every Page, A Bit of Magic

At Junk Journal Newbies, we believe junk journaling is more than crafting—it’s a connection to the past, a practice of presence, and a celebration of creativity.

Stay tuned for next week’s edition, where we’ll dive into how to start your first themed junk journal—even if you’re totally new!

Happy journaling,

The Junk Journal Newbies Team