How to Start a Junk Journal With These Easy Junk Journal Ideas

With so many creative hobbies to choose from, it can be hard to narrow down which new activity to choose to keep us busy in our downtime. That's part of the reason why junk journalling has become so popular in recent years. Junk journalling combines the mindfulness of journalling with the artistic release of scrapbooking for a fun and creative hobby. This type of journalling allows you to embrace creativity and stray from traditional, organised journal structures, creating works of art in the process.

At Spotlight, we offer a range of junk journalling kits with everything you need to create these fun and quirky projects. You can also shop a range of crafting tools and decorations to help you master how to start a junk journal. Find out more about junk journalling right here and get crafting today.

Quick Links

• What is a Junk Journal?
• Everything You Need For a Junk Journal
• How to Start Junk Journalling: What to Collect For Your Journal
• Junk Journal Ideas: Themes You Can Embrace For Your Next Creative Venture

What is a Junk Journal?

Showcasing a twist on traditional journalling, a junk journal refers to a scrapbook-like method of notetaking and memory keeping. It can be used to document trips, special events, or an expression of your daily life. The best thing about junk journalling is that there's no right or wrong approach - this method of journalling is intended to be messy! It revolves around collecting items to place in your journal. They can also take on a range of themes, or have no established theme at all, just simply a collection of "junk".

Everything You Need For a Junk Journal

Before starting your junk journal, there are a few supplies you should make sure you're ready to go with.

A Junk Journal Necessity: The Perfect Notebook

You can't start a junk journal without a journal to begin with. A notebook is the foundation of your junk journaling. When shopping for your notebook, look for those with a sturdy spine and thick paper. This is because the weight of your collectibles can get quite heavy, so you want to ensure your notebook won't fall apart in the process. A5 notebooks are a common size for junk journals, as these are smaller and easier to carry around, perfect for junk journalling while travelling or while you're on the go.

Shop Notebooks

Handy Craft Tools

Junk journalling requires a fair bit of art and craft work, so it's a good idea to be prepared with the right craft tools. Make sure you have a few crafting essentials such as:

• Scissors - Ideal for cutting any items you've collected to fit your journal
• Glue sticks - Great for securing paper items to your journal
• Sticky tape - Ideal for securing heavier items you've collected that aren't made from a lighter material like paper. Also great for securing crafty items to your junk journal

Creative and Crafty Decorations

• Craft tape and washi tape - Helps to secure items to your pages, all while adding a decorative accent
• Feathers, pom poms or chenille sticks - Add textural charm to your junk journal
• Glitter - Sprinkle a little sparkle over your junk journal pages for a shimmering pop
• Gems and rhinestones - With a range of different sizes, you can create outline photos, use rhinestones to spell out names, or simply scatter around on your front cover

• Pens and markers - Perfect for labelling items in your junk journal or writing down a recount of your experiences
• Stickers - Easy to incorporate into your junk journal, our stickers are available in a variety of themes and designs
• Stamps - With a collection of letter and decorative stamps, these are easy to use and add to any page

Junk Journal Kits With Everything You Need

Spotlight is also home to a range of junk journal kits, which include a journal as well as crafty decorations such as stickers and patterned paper to make your junk journal shopping that little bit easier. Check out how Instagram crafter @tinytotsart made use of these handy craft kits in her Instagram reel.

How to Start Junk Journalling: What to Collect For Your Journal

When learning how to start junk journalling, make sure to hold on to any mementos, collectibles and, to put simply, junk! Consider collecting a range of loose items such as:

• Event accessories - Think concert and movie tickets, boarding passes, invitations, wristbands
• Brochures and flyers - Easy to collect when travelling. Collect these from iconic landmarks, museums and any other event
• Retail items - Include pieces that accompany shopping, such as receipts, clothing tags, labels and pieces from shopping bags
• Newspaper and magazine clippings - great for incorporating current events in the political and pop culture world into your junk journal
• Photos - whether they be new photos or old family pictures, photos are a great addition to junk journals
• Nature - Adding leaves, flowers and twigs is great for adding an element of nature

Junk Journal Ideas: Themes You Can Embrace For Your Next Creative Venture

While the purpose of junk journals is to simply compile little mementos and keepsakes in one notebook, you can dedicate separate pages to a particular theme. Check out a few of our favourite junk journal ideas to inspire you in your next creative journey.

Memories of Your Travels

When it comes to junk journal ideas, bringing your journal along with you on holidays is a great way to keep a diary of your travels. Keep your tickets from landmark tours or receipts from restaurants to look back on and add your favourite pictures from your holiday adventures.

Book Themed Junk Journal

Combine two hobbies in one by dedicating your junk journal to your favourite books, keeping receipts from bookstores, old bookmarks, and writing down favourite quotes. You can use your junk journal as a reading log, keeping track of all the books you've read, highlighting your favourite characters, and finding creative ways to review the stories with a sticker system.

Foodie Adventures

For those avid foodies who love trying new restaurants, food trucks or cute snacks, create a junk journal for your foodie adventures. You can keep mementos from your visits, such as restaurant brochures or flyers, and in some cases, if the restaurant allows, you may be able to keep a menu to include. Review your new food finds or write down recipes that you're a fan of, and you can revisit all your favourite foodie hotspots from time to time.

Learn How to Start a Junk Journal and Get Creative With Your New Hobby

Looking for a new creative hobby? Learn how to start a junk journal with these crafty junk journal ideas for a fun and exciting activity that helps you to express your creativity. At Spotlight, you can find everything you need to start your next junk journal. Shop our full range of notebooks, craft supplies and tools to get you started today. For more DIY and creative inspiration, check out our collection of free projects and discover a range of new hobbies for you to try.