A usable junk journaling kit can fit in an envelope: a few clean scraps, something to write with and a way to attach paper. Before buying a bundle, make one page and notice what you genuinely missed.
The essentials
- A base: an existing notebook or several folded sheets. Check that it can close with added paper.
- A pen or pencil: choose one that stays legible on your scraps.
- Adhesive: a glue stick is a simple starting point for light paper. Test it first; not every adhesive suits every material.
- A few pieces of paper: a clean envelope, a paper bag, an old map you own or a duplicate photograph.
- Scissors, if useful: tearing is also an option. Keep cutting tools away from children.
Useful later, not required now
Washi tape can make a hinge for a note; a small pocket can hold a loose copy; stamps can repeat a motif. Buy these to solve a problem on a page, not because a starter kit says you need all of them. Heavy charms and thick layers can make a notebook difficult to close.
A first-page kit you can assemble today
Choose one paper bag, one copied ticket and a square of plain paper. Tear the bag into a background strip, place the ticket off to one side, and reserve the square for a caption. Lay everything out before applying glue. Photograph the arrangement if you want to lift the pieces without forgetting it.
Write a sentence that explains the memory: “The train was late, so we shared the last biscuits on the platform.” This fictional example gives the ticket a story instead of treating it as decoration alone.
What to leave out
Do not use irreplaceable legal documents, private addresses or another person's photo without considering their privacy. Keep food residue and damp plant material out of the book. If long-term preservation matters, keep originals separately and use copies, then choose materials made for archival storage.
Download the one-page supplies checklist. For the complete process, follow the beginner tutorial.