Crafting Unique Worlds: A Free Form Artistic Junk Journal Journey with Kelly Boler

Hello creative souls and fellow junk journaling enthusiasts! Today, we’re absolutely thrilled to shine a spotlight on one of our truly inspiring Junk Journal Design Team Members. Prepare to be captivated by the extraordinary artistry of Kelly Boler, the brilliant mind behind Book and Paper Arts. Kelly possesses a distinct and imaginative artistic style that we are confident you will adore. Her ability to blend vintage charm with modern whimsy creates truly unique and deeply personal pieces. With Kelly joining our team, we now have a full roster of talented individuals, and we are delighted to turn the narrative over to her to share insights into her latest masterpiece – a captivating free-form junk journal.

Meet the Artist: Kelly Boler of Book and Paper Arts

“Hi everyone, I’m Kelly Boler, and I’m passionate about crafting with paper and stories at Book and Paper Arts. My journey began in the vibrant landscapes of Mississippi, but for many years now, I’ve been fortunate to call the picturesque country of Wales my home. One of my greatest joys and a true luxury is having my very own art studio. It’s a sanctuary where creativity can truly run wild – a place where I can dive into ambitious projects, make glorious messes without a second thought, and only tidy up when the mood strikes. Believe me, it’s every artist’s dream come true!”

Unveiling the “Wild and Free Form” Journal: A Journey of Creation

“My inaugural junk journal project for The Graphics Fairy Design Team truly embraces a ‘wild and free form’ ethos, reflecting a journey rather than a rigid structure. The concept behind this journal was to allow elements to organically unfold, creating a narrative that feels both discovered and deeply personal. The very foundation of this journal begins with its striking cover, crafted from exquisitely plant-dyed paper. I achieved these rich, natural hues by using purple and yellow onion skins – a technique that infuses the paper with unique textures and an earthy palette. The journal securely closes with a charming vintage celluloid button, adding a touch of antique elegance, perfectly complemented by a length of soft, tea-dyed sari silk, which lends a luxurious and tactile finish.”

“When it comes to sourcing beautiful imagery and foundational elements for my journals, The Graphics Fairy is an unparalleled treasure trove. While their website offers an incredible array of free images, for this particular project, I delved deeply into the extensive resources available on the Premium Membership Site. This membership offers a phenomenal collection of pre-formed pockets, envelopes, cards, and a host of other ready-to-use embellishments that significantly streamline the creative process. Among my absolute favorite discoveries on the Premium site is the printable washi tape – a versatile element that opens up endless possibilities for adding intricate details and vibrant patterns to my pages.”

Mastering Translucency: The Tracing Paper Technique

“One of the techniques I adore and frequently employ is printing my desired images onto tracing paper rather than directly onto sticky paper for washi tape or other elements. While printing directly on adhesive paper is certainly convenient, the effect achieved by printing on tracing paper and then applying it with a separate adhesive truly transforms the aesthetic. The translucent quality of tracing paper allows underlying layers to subtly show through, creating a wonderful depth and an ethereal softness that I find incredibly appealing. I’ve utilized this technique to craft a delicate border for a pocket, itself made from tracing paper. This transparency allows glimpses of the contents within, specifically a detailed Vintage Journaling Card and Pocket, which in turn holds a beautiful French Journaling Card. This layering adds an interactive element, inviting the viewer to explore deeper into the journal’s pages.”

“Continuing with the theme of interactive and layered elements, another page features a charming ‘library card’ pocket, once again fabricated from tracing paper. This choice maintains consistency in the journal’s visual language, contributing to its light and airy feel. Nestled alongside this pocket is a tiny accordion book, perfectly sized for spontaneous journaling or sketching. The covers of this delightful miniature book are adorned with intricate designs derived from the Steampunk Balloon and Airship collage cards, found within The Graphics Fairy’s collection. These elements together create a whimsical vignette, blending functionality with fantastical imagery.”

Layering Narratives: The Celestial Page and Beyond

“The rather mysterious and captivating face of the sun featured on one of my pages is just one of many exquisite celestial images available through The Graphics Fairy. My decision to print this image onto tracing paper again was a deliberate artistic choice. When carefully glued over the intricate peacock pattern from the ‘Bird Watcher’s Bliss’ selection, the translucency of the tracing paper allows all the underlying layers to be beautifully revealed. This creates a mesmerizing effect, where patterns and images subtly interact, adding depth and visual interest. This technique is particularly valuable because, to be frank, I find image transfers quite challenging and often heartbreakingly inconsistent. Using tracing paper offers a similar ethereal, layered effect without the frustration, making it a reliable and joy-filled alternative for achieving those delicate, see-through aesthetics in my junk journals.”

“Elsewhere, you’ll discover a unique pocket ingeniously crafted from a vintage field guide to butterflies. This pocket is thoughtfully filled with a tag sourced from The Graphics Fairy Premium Members Site, which truly boasts a wealth of pre-shaped tags, pockets, envelopes, and boxes. What makes these resources so incredibly convenient is that many of them come with pre-made tabs. You simply cut them out, fold, glue them down, and ‘hey, presto,’ you have an instant, perfectly formed pocket. It’s a fantastic time-saver and ensures a professional finish every time. This particular image, reminiscent of an ancient celestial map, was also printed onto tracing paper and meticulously glued over a page adorned with tiny peacocks. The Graphics Fairy offers several such ‘wallpaper-type’ pages, and you can truly appreciate how well they lend themselves to this layering technique, allowing textures and patterns to interplay beautifully across the page.”

The Essence of Natural Dyes and Personal Journeys

“The plant-dyed papers, which form the striking cover and feature throughout the journal, were created using a fascinating process of steaming yellow and purple onion skins onto a heavy art paper. This method not only yields beautiful, organic colors but also imparts subtle, natural textures that add immense character. The journal’s closure, as mentioned, is both functional and decorative: a cherished vintage celluloid button paired with the elegant drape of tea-dyed sari silk. While the overall theme of this journal is undoubtedly free-form and organic, a profound undercurrent of ‘pilgrimage and journey’ guided my choices during its layout. Each element, each layer, subtly contributes to this overarching narrative, inviting reflection on personal paths and discoveries.”

Found Treasures and Personal Symbolism

“One particularly unique element incorporated into the journal is a fragment of a bag that once held Royal Irish Linen Thread. This piece, along with other intriguing finds, was lovingly held for me by a wonderful lady at our local flea market – a testament to the community and serendipity involved in sourcing materials for junk journals. Adjacent to this, I intentionally added an image of a jellyfish. I confess, I am insanely attracted to these mesmerizing creatures. For me, they embody a profound personal symbolism, representing aspects of my own journey and pilgrimage – their fluidity, their mysterious depth. This jellyfish image is thoughtfully layered over a handwritten letter, a true vintage artifact I discovered in an old barn. Its authenticity is even affirmed by subtle mouse teeth marks along its edges, adding a touch of rustic history and charm.”

“The journal’s poignant centerpiece is a handwritten quote, delicately penned onto Tim Holtz wax craft paper. This particular paper, sadly, is no longer in production, which means I am carefully hoarding every last precious piece I possess. Tim Holtz, if you happen to be reading this, please consider bringing it back – it’s simply irreplaceable for projects like this!”

“Next to this centerpiece, you’ll find a rather makeshift triptych, further showcasing the versatility of my onion skin-dyed paper. This three-panel arrangement offers another opportunity for layered imagery and personal reflection. And speaking of delightful details, you’ll also spot more of my faux washi tape, this time featuring charming hedgehogs. Seriously, if you’re not absolutely smitten with hedgehog washi tape, then I’m afraid we need to have a serious conversation about what brings joy to your crafting!”

“Further within the journal, another pocket holds an assortment of thoughtful note cards, inviting interaction and further journaling. This section also features captivating bird eggs, which to me, elegantly suggest something both airborne and earthbound simultaneously – a beautiful dichotomy. To personalize this, I’ve added my own whimsical crow figure to a blank triptych frame, a wonderful printable element found within The Graphics Fairy’s ‘Religions and Holiday’ selection. This blend of natural elements and personal touches truly makes each page a unique discovery.”

“And finally, to conclude this visual journey through my latest creation, you’ll find one last intricately designed pocket. This pocket lovingly cradles a vintage carte de visite, a charming relic from a bygone era, alongside some delicate, machine-made lace, adding a final touch of antique elegance and texture.”

Explore More of Kelly’s Art and Tutorials!

To truly appreciate the tactile beauty and intricate details of this free-form junk journal, we invite you to experience a comprehensive video flip-through on Kelly’s YouTube channel. Witness the pages come alive as she guides you through her inspiring creation:

If this artistic journey has sparked your desire to own a piece of Kelly’s incredible work, this very journal, along with other unique creations, is available for purchase directly from her online shop:
https://bookandpaperarts.com/shop2-2/

For those who wish to follow more of Kelly’s enchanting book art and receive regular doses of creative inspiration, please feel free to connect with her on Instagram under the handle:
@bookandpaperarts

And for aspiring crafters eager to try their hand at the beautiful art of natural dyeing, Kelly offers a fantastic free tutorial on how to create your own onion skin papers. Dive into the magic of plant dyes here:
https://bookandpaperarts.com/plant-dyed-ecoprint-paper-with-onion-skins/

Happy Crafting,
Kelly Boler