Handmade "Specimen Slides" for Junk Journals

Screen shot from my new video on making specimen slide embellishments ala ArtyMaze

I just announced on my IG account that I have a new video uploaded on my YouTube craft channel.

Here's one of the freebie frames with my own butterfly insert and a napkin collaged pocket.

I made this napkin collaged pocket with lace, button, paper quote, sewn muslin and my own original specimen slide.

I think my handmade bead (made from rolled magazine paper and glass beads) looks a bit like a chrysalis, don't you?

See my Instagram feed @michelecooperart
Watch the video on how I make these at MicheleCooperCraft on YouTube.

Crafting a Journal While Stranded

Nov 17: Just finished my #junkjournal for #nikthebooksmith #desertedislandchallenge See the flip through at https://youtu.be/kdVTTsHgrUw

I've been having fun in the craft side of my studio lately! Nik the Booksmith issued a journal making challenge called "The Deserted Island Journal Challenge".

We were challenged to make a journal from scratch with just a few items:

I was limited to 8 items:

#coffeedyedpaper

#fabritac glue

#scissors

#needle and #3plybamboothread

#guttedbook cover

Approximately 12x12" #fabric

One 12x12" sheet of #scrapbookpaper #Authentique #seamaiden #mermaid

#TimHoltzDistressInk #vintagephoto

This was so much fun, though challenging!

I really missed my pen. Here's the finished book and the measly leftover scraps!

I'm almost finished with a surprise addition to this minimal journal. Subscribe to my craft channel to be notified when it will be public! Wait until you see how I blinged it all up!

I have a new YouTube channel just for my handmade journals and sketchbooks. Please visit, subscribe, like and comment! 

As always, I will post tutorials, demonstrations and other fine art watercolor videos on my original YouTube channel. Please subscribe to that one if your interest is more on the "watercolor fine art" side.

Three Tutorials now uploaded on my New YouTube Channel

I have been making accordion sketchbooks since around 2000. Up to now they have been for personal use and as gifts for friends and family.

New Tutorial Added Today

As my weekly watercolor classes and workshops are winding up for the fall, I look forward to joining my fellow urban sketchers on location.

I've been looking for something to do at home as well during the long hiatus until classes resume in late January. Recently, I've also been making junk journals in the craft side of my studio as gifts for friends and family members.

I am finishing up an international junk journal challenge and will soon have a fun, new project video to add! Subscribe to MicheleCooperCrafts to see that one when it's up!

What is a Junk Journal and What Do You Do With It?
A junk journal is a handmade book made up of recycled items such as papers from magazines, brochures, patterned paper, music sheets, envelopes, packaging, brown paper bags, maps, greeting cards, post cards, doilies, to name a few.  The book covers can be made from cereal boxes, old book covers or any hard card boards.  The list is endless, especially when your creative imagination is sparked!

This is the cover of a Junk Journal I made recently for my teenage granddaughter. She can sketch and write in it. The faux leather cover is made from dyed and distressed baking paper and two manila envelopes.I will upload a tour of this on my new channel soon.

Creating and making a junk journal is like keeping a diary but with more graphics, memorabilia and keepsake items. It is to record and document your thoughts, memories, an occasion or an event that has touched you. It tells a story and it does not necessarily have to be a daily journal.

My original YouTube Channel, MichelesNWStudio has numerous watercolor tutorials that I have uploaded for many years as an educational aid for my students and subscribers. Now I think it's time to separate the fine art side of the studio from the craft side of the studio, on YouTube at least. I will be uploading some new projects on both channels in the next few days and weeks. I hope you will visit, subscribe and comment.