How I Made My Mini Junk Journal (As a Total Beginner)
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I remember the moment I posted a video process of my mini junk journal on TikTok. It was just a fun project I’d made for myself, but to my surprise, it caught some attention.
Someone commented, asking how I made it, and for a split second, I totally blanked and asked myself "How DID I make that?!"
I’d put that little journal together months ago following along with a Skillshare class, and it honestly felt more like a clumsy, creative experiment than a polished process.
I’m not a bookbinding expert—I’m not even a decent bookbinder—but I thought I’d try to remember what went into this little book.
So here’s my story on how it all came together.
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The Inspiration (and a Little Frustration)
At the time, I was learning the ropes from a Skillshare course on bookbinding. The class was filled with precise steps on measurements, tools, terminology I've never heard before and tons of assembly, but my project didn’t quite end up as perfect as the instructor’s. (Not even close!)
Still, it was uniquely mine, a mix of improvisation and creativity that made it feel right at home in my world of junk journaling. The finished product was a little scrappy, not as sturdy as it might look on camera, but I kind of love it that way—perfectly imperfect.
For this journal, I made a few adjustments to keep it manageable.
First, I avoided overloading it with paper to keep it slim and easy to handle.
And second, I didn’t overthink the construction—just enough effort to keep it together while still feeling like a whimsical creation.
It was a very intuitive process like most of my creations.
Here’s How I Built It
If you want to give it a try yourself, here’s my simplified version of the process. I broke it down into three main steps:
Building the Cover - I started with a sturdy cardboard for the cover. It’s firm enough to hold shape but easy to work with. I sourced it from the back of a drawing pad, the brown hard piece that holds the paper together. I then cut it to size using a cutting mat, giving it a bit of a rustic, hand-cut feel.
Creating and Binding the Pages - Next, I gathered a stack of scrap paper in all sorts of textures and colors. Using an awl and thread, I stitched the pages together, taking care not to stress about perfection. I even skipped a few stitches—because who’s counting anyway? With the pages bound, I used a bone folder to press everything down nice and flat.
Attaching It All Together - Finally, I attached the pages to the cover using bookbinding glue, making sure everything felt snug. I didn’t stress if it wasn’t completely aligned—after all, it’s a junk journal.
Tools I Used (My Bare-Bones Kit)
For this mini project, I kept my toolkit pretty simple:
Light cardboard for the cover base (I used the back of a drawing pad)
Scrap papers I already had for the colorful, eclectic vibe
Bookbinding glue to keep everything together
A cutting mat for trimming to size
A bone folder to keep the pages flat
A Final Note
Even though I don’t consider myself a pro at making journals from scratch (and usually just buy them!), this mini junk journal was a rewarding creative break.
I followed along with a video course, which was helpful but left a lot of room for personalization and trial and error.
And if you’re interested in bookbinding, there are so many tutorials on YouTube, too.
You can learn a ton from some amazing creators for free, whether you’re just starting out or looking to refine your skills.
So, there you have it—my mini junk journal journey!
Whether you’re a beginner like me or a seasoned junk journal artist, sometimes the magic is in the process, not the perfection.
Here's to another spread, & another day!
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