Getting Started: Where to Find Junk Journaling & Collage Supplies

Junk journaling and collage art are all about creativity, nostalgia, and making the most of what you already have. Before you head out to buy supplies, take a look around your own home—you might be surprised at how many materials are hiding in plain sight! Plus, repurposing and recycling everyday items keeps your stash unique and budget-friendly. Here are some of the best places to find supplies, often for free or at little cost.

1. Your Own Home: A Hidden Treasure Trove

Before you spend a dime, check your home for overlooked materials. Junk drawers, closets, and storage boxes are full of items that can be repurposed for your journal.

Look for:

• Old birthday and holiday cards

• Wrapping paper, gift bags, and ribbons

• Lace or fabric from worn-out clothing

• Decorative napkins, labels, and packaging

• Paper grocery bags, receipts, and old shopping lists

• Magazines, newspapers, and junk mail

Tip: Ask family and friends if they have old papers, books, or stationery they don’t need—they might be happy to pass them along!  Even the most ordinary materials can be transformed with a little creativity—try tea-dying, stamping, or layering to give them new life.

2. Thrift Stores: Affordable & Ever-Changing

Thrift stores are a fantastic place to find cheap and unexpected materials. Inventory changes frequently, so check often!

Great finds include:

• Vintage children’s books with charming illustrations

• Old sewing patterns and notions

• Doilies, lace, and fabric remnants

• Greeting cards and stationery

• Bags of assorted craft supplies

  
  

Tip: Be thorough! Flip through books for handwritten notes, browse home textiles for vintage linens, and check craft bins for forgotten treasures. Look around with a different lense- that old tapestry purse could be transformed into book cover!

3. Estate Sales: Vintage Finds for Cheap

Estate sales often have a wealth of materials available for a fraction of their original cost—especially on the last day, when prices are slashed.

Look for:

• Vintage stationery and greeting cards

• Lace fabric, trims, and buttons

• Old ledgers and handwritten notes

• Cookbooks and recipe cards

• Sheet music and book pages

• Local memorabilia, old flyers

Tip: Check inside piano benches—people often store sheet music there and forget about it!

4. Flea Markets & Antique Shops: Unique Finds

Flea markets and antique shops require patience but can be full of one-of-a-kind treasures. Vendors often sell vintage ephemera in bulk.

Great finds include:

• Handwritten letters and postcards

• Old magazines and catalogs

• Vintage maps and brochures

• Playing cards and board games

• Stamps and ticket stubs

• Vintage advertisements and labels

  
  

Tip: Build relationships with vendors—let them know what you're looking for, and they might save special pieces just for you!

5. Library Sales & Used Bookstores: Cheap & Plentiful Paper

Libraries and bookstores often hold sales where you can pick up books, magazines, and sheet music for pennies.

Look for:

• Atlases & Maps (vintage world maps, city maps, or topographic maps)

• Instructional & Educational Books (old cookbooks, craft books, or DIY guides)

• Art Books (books on painting, sculpture, or photography)

• Illustration Books (children's books with illustrations or art books with prints)

• Nature Photography Books (books featuring plants, wildlife, or landscapes)

• Vintage Magazines (fashion, home decor, or travel magazines)

• Poetry & Literary Books (books with beautiful text layout and old-fashioned typefaces)

• Photography Books (vintage photography collections, portrait books, or historical photos)

• Decorative Hardcover Books (books with embossed covers, illustrations, or decorative endpapers)

• Travel Books & Guides (old travel guides with colorful images, brochures, and maps)

• Old Textbooks (especially those with graphics, diagrams, and charts)

  
  

Tip: Many shops discount damaged books or even give them away—perfect for repurposing pages and making journal covers.

6. Community Swaps & Creative Groups

Local and online crafting communities are a great way to trade extra supplies and discover new materials without spending money.

Ways to find swaps:

• Check local libraries for craft exchanges

• Join Facebook groups or crafting forums

• Search Instagram hashtags for swap events

• Craft supply swaps via Tik Tok

  
  

Tip: If you have duplicates or extras, swapping is a fun way to refresh your stash while helping someone else build theirs.

Hey, did you know that we started our own community?

Check out Aunt Henri's Creative Collective

7. Marketplaces: Supply Lots & Kits

Online marketplaces like Facebook Marketplace, Etsy, and eBay are great places to find lots of supplies for your junk journaling projects. Whether you're looking for specific items or a mix of materials, these platforms often offer curated collections that can save you time and money.

Here’s what you can find:

• Stamps: Find vintage or unused stamps, perfect for adding texture and interest to your pages.

• Ephemera: Search for lots of postcards, tickets, old letters, and other memorabilia that add a nostalgic touch to your journal.

• Book Pages: Get collections of old book pages, filled with text, illustrations, and fonts perfect for collaging or journaling.

• Junk Drawers: Browse mixed lots of random items, like buttons, fabric scraps, old keys, game pieces, and other unique pieces for repurposing in your projects.

• Destash Boxes: Filled with craft supplies new and used for a variety of projects.

  
  

Tips:

• Etsy: Use search terms like "vintage paper lot," "ephemera bundle," or "junk journal supplies" to find themed collections.

• eBay: Check out listings for lots of vintage ephemera or craft supplies that can add variety to your stash.

• Facebook Marketplace: Explore local listings for craft supplies or miscellaneous items that might be perfect for your next project. You might even be able to negotiate a better price for lots!

  
  

These online platforms are a convenient way to discover unique materials without the hassle of hunting for individual pieces, all while supporting other crafters and sellers.

Shop Aunt Henri's Junk Journal Kits & Ephemera Packs

Sourcing materials for junk journaling and collage is part of the fun—it turns everyday objects into creative gold! Whether you're digging through your own drawers or swapping supplies with friends, each piece adds a unique touch to your projects.

We've hope you've found this blog post informative and you are inspired to start a new creative journey.

What’s something you’d love to repurpose for a junk journal?

Which of these places are you heading to first?

Share in the comments!

Happy Crafting,

Aunt Henri