Junk Journal Inspiration From Thrift Store Finds
Thrift store and flea market shopping is one of my favorite things! When it comes to junk journals, the treasures you can find are AMAZING!
For me, a thrift store outing on a 50% off sale day was the beginning of a great day! To get a first look at the inventory, I am usually in line before the store opens. The items I discover truly boggle my mind. For over 30 years I worked in the corporate world and most of my cutest outfits came entirely from thrift stores.
I don’t have the need to wear corporate attire since I retired. Therefore, my focus has switched from hunting for my work wardrobe to items for my junk journals!
Today, I am sharing with you some of my latest treasures and some inspiration for my future journals:
Do you see an altered children’s book in the future?
Vintage Book circa 1894 
First page of book 
Inside cover signed by Zelda 
A couple artists designs on inside back cover
This journal just needs a little embellishment!
A blank journal with a lovely cover
I see a Parisian theme or shabby chic vintage junk journal cover using these!
10 x 10 inch tapestry 
10 x 10 inch tapestry 
Made in France on back side of tapestry
From the clothing section, a brocade dress would make a beautiful background for a regal prince and princess journal or maybe cut the flowers out to use as embellishments. A lace skirt to use as a layering component over other fabrics. All colors or maybe just one. Lots of men’s ties to use as tie closures for journals or maybe used to make some fabric flowers.
Beautiful Brocade Dress 
Lace skirt with 3 colors 
Collection of men’s ties
These hankies were in a grab bag at Goodwill, imagine the possibilities with all these beautiful patterns. Everything from journal covers, pockets, tie closures and ephemera, the list goes on and on. The same thing for the tape and ribbon which were .75 cents each. Borders for pages, tie ribbons for tags, or a journal closure. Due to the thickness, brocade fabric works well for junk journal covers. This pattern lends itself to a garden/nature/flower theme.
A large collections of vintage hankies 
Bias tape, fabric ribbon and trim 
Brocade scrap fabric
My tips for a successful thrifting event:
- Visit thrift stores often, inventory changes DAILY
- Give yourself ample time to shop, go thru all the rounders and hit every aisle.
- Look through ALL sections of the store!
- Treasures lie not only in the women’s clothing area.
- Accessories – look for purses that can be taken apart, scarves for journal closures or pockets in journals.
- Jewelry (sometimes broken) is often gathered together and put in a jar for one price. Lots of gems to be found in these jars.
- Try the men’s and children’s for cool fabrics and patterns.
- Halloween is a great time to reuse those costumes. Lace, tulle, sequins and colorful cloth patterns are often used.
- Christmas is another time to gather ornaments that can be upcycled, refurbished or taken apart and reused. Holiday cards, wrapping paper, gift tags, tissue paper and ribbon are just begging to be used in journals.
- The domestic section for placemats, napkins, curtains, pillow shams and remnants of fabric.
- The home section sometimes has a segregated crafting section – loads of supplies can be found here.
I hope this gives you the inspiration to go check out some of the thrift stores in your area – I bet you will score too!
Glitter on friends!
Pamela
I am a self proclaimed junk journal fanatic and creative crafter. If it is vintage, I am in! I recently retired from the corporate world and now have more time to devote to my love of creating one of a kind treasures. Besides junk journals my hobbies include thrifting, flea market outings, fashion, cooking, hanging with my girlfriends and daughter and golf with my husband. I currently live in the mountains of beautiful Colorado.
