THE ART OF
JUNK JOURNALING
Junk journaling is a creative practice that transforms everyday and discarded paper materials into meaningful, handmade journals. Using items such as vintage book pages, sheet music, maps, magazines, scrap paper, and ephemera, junk journals celebrate imperfection, texture, and storytelling.
Unlike traditional art forms, junk journaling is not about technical skill or perfection. It’s about layering, experimentation, and personal expression. Pages can be structured or free-form, simple or richly detailed, and there is no “right” way to create a junk journal. Each piece becomes a one-of-a-kind reflection of its maker.
At its core, junk journaling is both creative and sustainable—giving new life to materials that might otherwise be thrown away. It encourages slowing down, working with your hands, and finding beauty in the ordinary. Whether used as a sketchbook, memory keeper, art journal, or creative outlet, a junk journal evolves naturally over time.
Most importantly, junk journaling is accessible to everyone. You don’t need to be an artist to participate—just a willingness to explore, experiment, and enjoy the process.
UPCOMING WORKSHOPS
85 US dollars
SUNDAY, MARCH 8TH
1:00 - 4:00 PM
Workshop Description
In this Junk Journaling workshop, you’ll transform thoughtfully curated paper ephemera into a one-of-a-kind, hardcover journal that tells a story uniquely your own. Using a mix of vintage and modern materials, such as sheet music, magazine pages, maps, and layered papers, you’ll learn how to combine texture, color, and composition to create pages that feel both expressive and intentional.
This workshop is designed for beginners and creatives of all experience levels. You don’t need to be an artist or have prior journaling experience, just a curiosity to explore and create. Heather and Wendy will guide you step-by-step through foundational techniques, from page building and layering to binding and embellishment, while encouraging you to embrace imperfections and personal style along the way.
All materials are provided, so you can simply show up and enjoy the process. The atmosphere is relaxed, social, and creatively inspiring, perfect for slowing down, working with your hands, and connecting with others who enjoy making meaningful, tactile art.
You’ll leave the workshop with a completed junk journal you create in class, along with a take home kit to continue building and personalizing your journal long after the workshop ends.
ABOUT THE INSTRUCTORS
My name is Heather Grimstead
Heather is a paper artist and the owner of Especially Paper, an online design studio she started in 2012. She designs digital templates for paper crafts, mixing traditional hand-crafting with modern technology.
Known for her realistic paper flowers and intricate detailing, Heather’s templates have earned praise for their clear instructions and beautiful results. She creates comprehensive worksheets to accompany her designs, enjoying the process of breaking down complex projects into achievable steps. Whether teaching beginners solid techniques for success or encouraging experienced crafters to experiment, Heather’s goal is to help people feel capable and inspired.
On her approach to paper:
I’m drawn to paper because of its accessibility and incredible versatility. I love the engineering challenge of creating three-dimensional objects from flat sheets, exploring how folds and cuts transform into form. Paper allows for both precision and playfulness. I can create realistic flowers or reimagine nature with bold color choices and exaggerated sizes. I enjoy exploring texture and pattern, blending hands-on work with digital tools, and experimenting with various coloring techniques from pastels to alcohol inks. Paper is a democratic medium. It invites everyone to create, to experiment, and to discover what’s possible with something as simple as a sheet and a fold.
My name is Wendy Frothingham
I’m a craft hobbyist and instructor focused on creative reuse and hands-on expression. I discovered junk journaling during the pandemic and found it to be a restorative activity after my day job.
Since then, I’ve created dozens of journals using reclaimed and everyday materials, including old books, scrap fabric, and even cereal boxes.
Junk journaling has its roots in traditions of personal journaling, collage, and memory-keeping, where people saved letters, receipts, and everyday paper items to document their lives. Over time, these practices evolved into a more experimental, mixed-media form that emphasizes accessibility and reuse rather than specialized supplies or rigid formats.
Today, junk journaling is about exploration and self-expression.
It is not scrapbooking; there is no expectation of perfection. Instead, it invites makers to slow down, repurpose materials, and create something meaningful from what might otherwise be discarded.