"Junk journaling" has been a trending term on the internet crafting space for a while. As you can infer from the term, "junk journaling" is the creative practice of collaging with materials that would otherwise be discarded. Junk journaling showcases the creator's consumption over time, arranged to reflect the creator's personality, interests, and creativity. What was originally a rejection of an anti-consumerist craft idea has now been commercialised, with new creatives worried about the lack of funds to start a junk journal.
You do not need to buy anything new! The only thing you need is a pair of scissors, glue and a notebook (used or new), or an unwanted book. Junk journaling is supposed to be… well, collages of your trash or junk. It’s supposed to be low-budget.
You can buy new stickers or new crafting materials, but it should be your complete choice. I personally buy stickers because I like to support my local artists (and I can not resist those cute caricatures). As a consumer or crafter, I think it is imperative to note that artists need to make money to survive. As in some small artists may sell stationery targeted for junk journalers, and they will weaponise 'Fear of Missing Out' (FOMO) to make a sale. That is how artists and creatives make money. However, you do not need to buy printed paper or new 50-100$ worth of stationery. You do not need to spend money on junk journaling.
To really nail the point home about the juxtaposition of "commercialisation of junk journaling", here are some FREE suggestions for junk journal materials:
*I know "trash on the street" sounds bad but check out this zine from @sentfromemily (Instagram)
I believe people also choose to buy their materials rather than slowly curating and building their journal because of FOMO. Every junk journal spread only shows the result with everything aesthetic, beautiful and filled in. However, everything good takes time. If you buy all completely new things, then it is no longer "junk journaling". You are scrapbooking. There's nothing wrong with scrapbooking, but it would be dishonest to call it a junk journal because that's the trending term.
Did someone say another list? This is a low-budget list for junk journaling materials:
*I find achievement stickers to be great final touches to a journaling spread!
I’ve been junk journaling for 3 years, and I do not specifically purchase anything for this hobby. I buy stickers out of interest, and it happens to help my sticker anxiety. However, my budget for junk journaling is very low! I’ve been continually adding to the same notebook for 3 years, and I still do not consider it complete. Junk journaling can be a slow process, and it is a rewarding one to see your pages being filled in over time. These are the spreads of my new journal, and you can see my old journal here.
Everything takes time, everything is a process, and instant gratification through commercialisation defeats the actual purpose of this craft. Take it slow~