Creating Your Own Paper Ephemera with Unique Designs

Creating Your Own Paper Ephemera

I'm excited to share with you a fun and creative project that will add a personal touch to your art journal pages. I discovered this idea from an artist named Shemi Dixon, who uses book pages as a base for creating beautiful ephemera. You can join me in transforming these book pages into unique additions for your art journal. Plus, if you join me on Patreon, you'll have access to the full video tutorial!

I've chosen a book of promises filled with various scriptures that have been with me for years. The pages may have yellowed with time, but I can't bear to throw away such valuable content. Instead, I repurpose them as the foundation for my art journal creations.

I experiment with different techniques creating shapes, doodling, painting on the pages, which then can all be collaged separately or used together on a painting page and then added to your art journal. For instance, I've created leaves, birds, and flowers using cutouts and added them to painted pages. The effect is like mini collages that perfectly fit into my art journal. Additionally, I've tried using Pro marker pens and simple doodling on the pages to see what unique designs emerge. It's amazing how these playful experiments can yield unexpected beauty!

To make the most of the paper, fill any empty spaces with additional elements, such as leaves. Once you're satisfied with the shapes, it's time to cut them out. Don't discard the remaining scraps of paper—keep them for future paper mache projects or other creative endeavors.

Enhance Your Art Journal with Unique Designs

In addition to this technique, you can also cut out circles or other shapes from the remaining painted pages. These shapes don't have to be perfect; irregular shapes can add visual interest. Once you've cut them out, choose another page as the backdrop and arrange them in a visually appealing way. This will create a contrasting pattern that enhances your art journal.

By repurposing book pages, experimenting with paint, and cutting out shapes, you can create unique elements that add depth and character to your art journal. The possibilities are endless, and I hope this has inspired you to embark on your own creative journey.

Remember, if you're interested in watching the full video tutorial and exploring more art journaling techniques, consider joining me on Patreon. The tiers start at $3, and you will find over 90 patron only resources.  Join me and other art enthusiasts as we dive deeper into the world of paper ephemera and unleash our creativity!

I can't wait to see what you create. Happy art journaling!

You can also access some of the Free paper ephemera that I produce on my Course platform -  You can check out my free Mixed Media Art Tags course and creating your own stamps using recycled materials. 

Art Journal Joys - Mark Making and doodling

 

Making Marks in your Art Journal

In my video today I share with you how to prepare your art journal page and then go on to create some interesting marks and doodles on the page.

I think that it is important to spend time playing in my art journal and working on a page that was previously prepared. It is great to have a page that you don't have to start from the beginning sometimes and you can just do some mark making.

I also show you how I would start the page from the beginning, using up any spare paint that I might have to add to a page.

The Art journal is made from recycled papers and then stitched together.

Some of the supplies used:

Craft paints - https://amzn.to/3LoHkIb

Ink - https://amzn.to/3L1wFBN

Posca Pens - https://amzn.to/41p9PuV

Gelly roll Pen - https://amzn.to/3Ao73u3

You could also do this idea on card or paper and then use as collage paper to create backgrounds in your art journal.

I hope you have fun trying out the idea.

You can also get access to background papers on my course platform.  Sign up to the Art Resource Hub and other courses and receive a free digital download paper every month.

Learn More

Learn More

Mixed Media Art Wall Hanging - and Weekend Creativity

 

This was a lovely piece to work on and I got to recycle some cardboard and beading that I had in my stash.  It makes for a lovely little wall hanging, I used burlap rope, you can use chain, add beading and ribbon.

Third Saturday Art

You can also join us for Third Saturday Art

Join us every Third Saturday of the month for an art prompt, organized by Martha also known as Ayala Art​ on YouTube - and a group of artists who love to create. You can click the button to be notified. My theme that I am working with in my art journal this month is 'rainy day' full of texture. 

I work intuitively so you see the page unfold before your eyes as it comes to me, I will explain more in tomorrows post. Be great to see you there! 

Check out some Free Courses and resources available on my course platform - check it out HERE

Mixed Media Art Doll - Video

Journal Dolls

How do you create a paper doll for your art journal?

In my latest video we take doll templates and create a figure on the page. Thank you to all those who joined the premier.

This is the speeded up version of making the mixed media art dolls, if you would like to see the full version where I talk through the process you can check it out HERE


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Online Courses to check out

You can check out a series of online courses on the left hand side of my blog, or see the links below.


Filling the Creative Well - Creating your mixed media tool kit

One BadAss Art Journal - Release your Inner Badass!

Book Of Days - Art Journal Deep Dive

Creative Jumpstart - Everyone can be Creative

A Year of Color - Year round inspiration

You can catch the full video on my Patreon Page