I'm Margarete Miller, first and foremost a collage artists who loves to use vintage ephemera when creating art. I am also the publisher, author, and creator of collage art books to encourage and inspire you to create collage art of your own. I love exploring book arts, such as gluebooks and junk journals.
I make RU-vid videos to show you the projects I am working on, and to invite you to create with me.
Stopped making as much art as I once did because i got tired of sitting on my A*& getting fat. Now I hike. Sitting is so unhealthy. Junk journals will end up in the landfill - now it just has added glue or paint on it.
Your definition of a scrap book sounds more like a travel journal. When we made scrapbooks in the 70s it was for things like newspaper clippings, theater programs, awards and memorabilia. Also, don't use USPS boxes. That's actually illegal.
Of course I can use a USPS box that already came in the mail. I explained that I received it from an order. I can definitely repurpose it. The travel scrapbook was an example. Your 70s scrapbook is another good example. What they have in common is that things are in chronological order, even roughly, probably by date.
I'm in the middle of making my daughter-in-love a Treasure Book (Junk Journal) as a companion to her Bible for study notes. I've made some for friends for all different reasons. One friend's an artist, so I made her one with plenty of pages for water colors, sketches, etc. When I gave it to her, I added a small travel water color set. Another was for a diary. The possibilities are absolutely ENDLESS!!! LOVE THEM ALL! 💖💖💖
My grandfather was way ahead of his time. He made lots of junk journals which I have inherited. I remember looking at these as a child and they always gave me pleasure. I must have inherited some of his talents as I love papercrafting, which is very therapeutic. I have yet to create a junk journal, but it is on my to do list. Thanks for video.
Non artists have no understanding of why you waste your time doing anything. They are blind to all types of art, journals included. But these journals are also historical documents and one day may be valued for the snap shot they provide of the era in which you make your journal - so keep going. don't let any one discourage you.
I haven't made one in almost a year mainly because the antique store I sold them in went out of business. I finished the journal I was working on then went straight in to a funk. Watching this video has inspired me to start up my junk journal making journey again! I can't thank you enough.
I do not know why you cannot hear me when I give you advice about color elements etc..I’m saying “no not that one”… use a longer rectangle not another stamp”! It is amazing what good ideas I come up for other people’s pieces, but am clueless about my own!!!😂❤
I don't make junk journals. I couldn't understand the point. But watching your video, I think what keeps me from enjoying something like this is that you almost have to have a collection mindset, gathering yhings that might one day be used in a journal. I like gathering pretty paper for card making. Other than that, if it isn't used promptly, out it goes! I have neither storage space nor mental space to gather little things like this. But if you enjoy it, great! 💛😊
EXCELLENT Explanation. You did an amazing job in drawing out the what, why, and how about junk journaling. Thank you so much. You are my new inspiration as a fellow artist!
4:55 -- Stunning paper! Thank you for taking us along your creative journey and your thought process as you assess which paint chips and paper scraps to utilize. 🤩✨💗
Now I understand! I've been asking in the comments of other channels, "why, what's it for etc" and no one ever replied with an answer that clicked. You've explained and demonstrated it perfectly. I'm going to help my gdaughter make one. Thnx!
Margarete: well done. You know,- sometimes I like busy and sometimes I back off and like quiet. I feel it’s what the “muse” is pushing you towards. Haha. Carol from California
I have a lot of hobbies and the one where people always ask "Why?" or seem dismissive is collage. I guess I didn't understand it myself until I made one collage and was hooked. So far I haven't made a junk journal since I have some pre-made books that I'm using up. But I got the little book binding kit from Amazon so I'm ready to try it. I love how yours with the cracker box and the paint box came out.
I have already found my paint chips. So I will be ready to go. It is so helpful to watch your process of doing collage. Blessings and hugs from New Mexico
Loved your explanations and peeks at some of your beautiful books! Whenever I give a JJ as a gift, I include a note with possible use ideas: they can record passwords - important birthdays & anniversaries - a running list of events, vacations, milestones, etc. through-out the year…truly endless possibilities❣️
I crochet, do needlework, diamond paint, have colouring books, paint for fun etc,,, but I still don't see the point of 'junk' journals, in the end you end up with a pile of these sitting around on shelves, taking up space and you doing nothing with them. I've watched a lot of these videos hoping to find some definitive reason behind this and have yet to find one.
I am new to finding you. I saw the title and said "Finally!!" I've been so confused esp by the JUNK in junk journal. I thought why would anyone want a cluttered book of junk. thank you for the light 💡
An fyi, in case you'te not aware- the cutter is self-sharpening. Every time you cut, the blade is sharpening against the body's metal piece. I love mine and use it so often.
This was fun. I wanted to give you a stamp, lol. I liked the stamp you put on the left. That turned out great. Well, the whole thing is great! Thank you
I could have used your stamp, Dorothy! I didn’t love this one. But you know what? If I find something better I’ll glue it right over the current one 😉👍🏼❣️
Were those crickets I heard in the background? If so, I Ioved it! The sound reminded me of my childhood in the summer when we slept with the windows open (no air conditioning then!) and the crickets sang us to sleep. It was fun watching you work on this collage that presented a bit more challenge than you expected. The process of seeing you audition various pieces was helpful to see a collage artist like you have to work your way to a satisfactory solution. I always learn helpful things when I watch you, Margarete. Thanks!
What kind words, Marcia! 💙 Yes, those were crickets. I’ve started recording at night, which is a new experience for me. I didn’t notice them, though, so thanks for pointing that out 👍🏼❣️😉
