Thousands of people worldwide are embracing the creative art of junk journaling, turning materials often deemed as waste into personal books filled with memories and inspiration. This unique hobby has gained significant traction, with JournalFest emerging as a central event to celebrate the craft. Held annually in July in Wigan, JournalFest anticipates drawing over 1,000 attendees eager to delve into the world of journals through various speakers and workshops.
Kia Hunt, an avid journal maker, has become a prominent figure in the community. Sharing her collection of over 20 journals with thousands of followers on Instagram, she aims to inspire others to explore their creativity. Hunt invests up to a year in crafting each journal, utilizing materials such as stamps, snippets of books, handmade paper, and receipts. Her passion for reusing materials is evident.
"You're recycling, you're keeping all these things that could go in the bin but are going into a form of art." – Kia Hunt
In addition to Hunt, Meg Frances has turned her love for journaling into a side hustle. By collaborating with small businesses and engaging in sponsorships, Frances creates online content that resonates with the journal-making community. The popularity of this art form is reflected on platforms like TikTok, where there are over 400,000 posts showcasing people's journal creations.
Selam Haile began her journey into junk journaling in 2017. She has since collected old items, including three typewriters, which she uses to create positive affirmations in her journals. Haile describes the process as a return to youthful creativity.
"It's a childlike creativity that you used to do when you were younger with stickers and doodling." – Selam Haile
Bex Cross is the visionary founder behind JournalFest. Established in 2023, Cross identified a gap in the UK's social calendar for journal enthusiasts to gather on a larger scale. Her initiative has fostered a welcoming community atmosphere.
"There's nothing else I'd rather be doing, the journalling community is a really nice place to be." – Bex Cross
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