We’re so thrilled to announce our newest Design Team here on TGF! We received so many fantastic applications for the team, it was incredibly difficult to narrow it down, once again we were truly blown away by the talent out there! I know I say that every time, but I feel like it’s getting harder each time, instead of easier. Truly! We had so many fantastic Junk Journal artists applying from all around the world. If you applied, but didn’t make the team this time, please try again in the future. There were so many that were so close to making it and if we would have had more slots they would have!
Now, let me introduce this amazing Team to you:
Rhonda Ellzey from Joy Junktique
Rhonda’s Style: “I create my journals in a shabby vintage style. I enjoy making my journals feel as though they are treasures from the past. I love to add layers of vintage lace, doilies, and fabrics to create a feeling of coziness that invites you into the pages. I like to include crinkly coffee-dyed papers, as well as old book pages, music and antique papers (especially French) in the pages of my journals. Vintage photos are always one of my favorite things to add, as they take us back to another place and time. And I love to give vintage cast-off items new life in my journals, where they can once again be beautiful and loved, while also adding unique dimension. But most of all, I create my journals to be cherished keepsakes, where you can find joy in recording special memories or just expressing the words from your heart.”
Abby Monroe
Abby’s Style: “My journal-making style is deeply inspired by my love for vintage and antique ephemera. Over the past few decades, I have amassed a treasured collection of vintage haberdashery and ephemera. Since relocating to the coast a few years ago, my collection has expanded to include various coastal elements, reflecting my surroundings. Texture is my passion; I delight in building up layers with cloth, paper, clay, and paint. Each journal I create is a journey of discovery, as I rarely have a predetermined vision of the final journal. The materials themselves guide the process, organically dictating the outcome and signaling when the piece is complete. Every journal I create has its own unique theme and name, adding to the distinct character of each make. I often work on multiple journals simultaneously, incorporating elements from nature such as pressed flowers and leaves, alongside pins, staples, stitches, and other eclectic finds that make their way into my studio. While I appreciate the art of traditional bookbinding (which I was taught at art college many moons ago), I find true joy and freedom in creating junk journals. The spontaneity and lack of constraints make this form of expression deeply rewarding.”
Susan Miller From Miller’s Laboratory
Susan’s Style: “I am a lifelong crafter who began making and selling junk journals in 2020. I LOVE paper and all the things you can do with it – cutting, gluing, tearing, folding, stitching, printing, stamping, painting, embossing… With paper, the possibilities are endless.
I also love OLD. You can often find me poking through antique stores, library book sales, and thrift shops looking for interesting materials, and I prefer the shabbier stuff that shows its age and character. Making junk journals is the perfect way for me to bring these two loves together. My style is un-fussy, with plenty of space for writing and artwork. But I also add in lots of interactive and fun elements, like an occasional pop-up. I want my journals to to be charming and loveable! Each one has its story to tell but it brings the user in to be inspired and become a part of that story.”
Emily Oliver at Pink Paper
Emily’s Style … “I have always loved collecting papers and vintage things so when I discovered junk journaling I was thrilled that I could bring everything I loved together and make something wonderful. I think nature Inspires me the most I believe God is the greatest artist ever. It is the very first thing we learn about God is that He is a Creator “In the Beginning, God created…”(Genesis 1)
Kath Lyle from Journaling Junky
Kath’s Style... “I love to work with anything dark and Grungy, in particular Gothic and vintage, although sometimes I surprise myself and go for bright and cheerful! My first journal was made for my friend’s birthday in 2019 and I’ve created over 250 since. When I start on a journal I usually work to a theme but not necessarily a plan, I just go with the flow! I love to incorporate texture, ripped pages, scripts for collaging, fabrics old photos and stenciling is a must for me. I also love to use vintage book pages and magazines as they add so much interest too. I also think it’s important to incorporate coffee dyed plain papers in my journals and ephemera to ensure that the owners of my journals have lots of space to record their treasured memories.”
Valerie Burton from Little Maine Cottage
Valerie’s Style … “I live in a cottage I would call “Carpenter Gothic” on a hilltop in mid-coast Maine. I am grateful to live in an area where antique bits still exist and, with effort, can still be found. The old-timey feel of my home as well as the surrounding countryside inspire me to create vintage-style Journals. I love to mix my finds with contemporary materials to create one-of-a-kind journals that appear to be from a bygone era. I find the act of creating enhances my love of life.”
Sara Favel from Vintage Beauty CA
Sara’s Style … “My journal making style is inspired by my love for the old/antique. I like to use antique papers, fabrics/lace mixed with digital imagery. My journal style ranges from soft, time-worn, and delicately tea stained, to colorful, coffee stained and eclectic. I like my journals to feel as though they were put together by some one a long time ago to be enjoyed for many years to follow. I love the old handmade look, and on the other end of the spectrum I like mixing old with new! I also must have a lot of interesting images in my journals for the owner to gain inspiration/to make it interesting to flip through. I am fairly new to journal making so I like to think my style is constantly evolving. Also, slow stitching is sure to appear somewhere in my journals!”
Brandi Knebel from Brandi Bel Arts
Brandi’s Style … “My style is a little eclectic. I love working with a theme and my favorite thing to do is to incorporate things I find in nature such as flowers, leaves, shells, driftwood… anything to add texture and a special little touch, making each journal unique. Texture is important to me so I also love to add fabrics, laces, handmade paper and even specially made gelli prints. Spread throughout my journals you can find lots of little clusters and collages using various materials! I love using color theory and most of my journals usually have a color scheme for cohesiveness. I’m really looking forward to creating with the amazing designs available.”
Each month these designers will be creating gorgeous journals, using images from our Premium Membership Site, to inspire you in your own Junk Journal work. I hope you will check out the links to their sites and social media pages, I know you will want to follow all of them if you do! These women are true artists and it’s always a treat for me to see what they come up with next, I’m sure you will feel the same!
Make sure you check out their links and follow them for even more inspiration! And follow along on The Graphics Fairy YouTube HERE as well to see many of their Junk Journal Flip Throughs!
Sherlene Mats says
It’s always lovely to get new creativity.
Karen Watson says
Thank you Sherlene. Yes, I’m sure they will create some gorgeous journals!
Birgit Norton says
Great choices for your design team! I can’t wait to see more of what they create. I’m thrilled to see a Maine girl among your tribe of talent. I’m a lifelong Maine-ah myself! Not too far from Valerie.
Karen Watson says
Thank you Birgit. I agree it’s going to be a great team! Stay tuned for August when we start posting their Journals. How lovely to be in Maine right now, I am in Florida, it’s a bit hot!
Wendy says
Well chosen! What an incredibly talented team. 👏🏻 I can’t wait to follow their adventures and share their passions. Congratulations and thank you! ❤️
Karen Watson says
Thank you Wendy! It’s going to be another exciting season!!
Shhdp says
This promises to be another inspiring group. And I look forward to continue seeing things from Jack’s unique point of view.
Here’s to the new crew!
Shauna
Karen Watson says
Yes, I agree Shauna! We are all excited to see what they create over the next 6 months. Thanks for your lovely comment! 😊
Donna de Gale-Kalloo says
Congratulations on the new gals joining the team! Looking forward to seeing their work!
Karen Watson says
😊
Stamping With Ian says
Amanda (scrimpingmommy) is a real gem, I have known her for years she is going to bring so much to the DT!
graphicsfairy says
Oh yea!! We are so excited and cannot wait to see what they create!
Marsha Morris says
Thank you, I’m looking forward to seeing all the new projects! Such beautiful Journals, and such talent, it’s going to be another wonderful time!
graphicsfairy says
Thanks so much Marsha, we are all very excited too and cannot wait to see all of their creations!!
Christine Olney says
Oh my goodness, these artisans are so wonderful! When will you be looking for entries again? I would love to enter my work.
graphicsfairy says
We are super excited!! The next Design Team call will be sometime in January and we will make announcements prior to that so you can be ready 🙂 Good luck to you and enjoy all of the new creations to come from this team!
sherril olive says
well done Willow Blue and all the team – looking forward to seeing all the new projects in the coming months
graphicsfairy says
Thank you Sherril, we are so excited!!
Tera says
Wonderfully talented group of ladies.
graphicsfairy says
Thank you Tera, we are so excited!