Junk Journal with Me

Two new Junk Journal with Me videos have gone live over the past week. Bryonna also reviewed the We R Memory Keepers Book Binding Guide. Find a brief description of each along with the links below.

In Junk Journal with Me Episode 6, Bryonna writes a letter of her intentions for 2021. The writing is printed onto transparency paper and folded (following the Paper Kawaii Origami Envelope Tutorial). See the video linked below for more creative inspiration!

In Junk Journal with Me Episode 7, Bryonna practices writing with a Trustela calligraphy pen set. She also shares some journaling prompts to help inspire your own journaling. And as usual, Bryonna shares links to the tools noted in the video.

In Reviewing the We R Memory Keepers Book Binding Guide, Bryonna makes a Japanese stab bound sketchbook. She also shows how to make a watercolor sketchbook with leather cover. Watch the video below for the review.

Moving the Studio and Reflecting on the Journey

Since I started 1134 Comix some years ago, I have had a few studio setups. The studio changes every time I move house (makes sense, since this has always been a home-based situation). Where I sit today is the third workspace from which 1134 content has been produced. From this iteration of the 1134 Studio we created 1134 Press, which has become the flagship of this endeavor. We’ve since published five books as 1134 Press, including two 1134 Comix titles. We’ve created countless handmade books, and most excitingly, began sharing our craft in video form. After years finding its voice, and moving locations, the project I called 1134 is at last becoming itself. And again, a new studio is on the horizon. 

All that might be a long way to go just to say we’re moving; but I like to tell a story. In the beginning, this all took place in a dingey basement where I would listen to heavy metal while drawing my often-random cartoons. Then, the studio was crammed into a small room on the third floor of a Baltimore Brownstone; I actually made some of my best work there, though the work did not have very far reach. As I write from this current version of the studio, which consumes a significant portion of our Mount Vernon apartment, I can’t help but reflect on the path to this point. Though each stop along the way on this journey has had value, this stop has been the most valuable so far. With much planned for the future of 1134 Press, we look forward to setting up in the new location and beginning the next chapter.

We’ve started boxing things up in preparation for the big day. Then, once we finally get over to the new place, we will have to go through the process of putting everything back together. With that said, we are going to take two weeks off from publishing the main content. Web-comics and YouTube videos are scheduled to return in the week of November 16th. In the case that this timeline shifts, we will post updates to our various platforms. In the meantime, there will still be some activity from 1134 on the socials and our blog page. 

Making "Happy Mail"

In this week’s video, Bryonna shows how to make a uniquely decorated and designed Happy Mail. A Happy Mail will oftentimes contain a variety of ephemera. This week’s video includes ideas and inspiration for your own Happy Mail ephemera. More paper crafting techniques are also shared.

Have you ever had a pen pal, or created a Happy Mail? If so, we would love to see your story in the comments. We hope you enjoy this week’s video; subscribe if you do!

Cheap Notebook Makeover

Sometimes we want to make a very unique and personalized journal, but would like it filled with lined pages rather than reclaimed pages, or scrapbooking pages. Every journal needs to be functional for its purpose. Also, we always try to save anywhere we can in a project. Check out our latest video to see how to do a Cheap Notebook Makeover.

How to Keep an Affirmation Journal

Affirmations are a positive way to change your perspective on yourself, and even the world. As such, Bryonna recently wrote an article all about creating affirmations and keeping an affirmation journal.

Affirmations

Journaling in itself is a great way to practice self-reflection and can be a useful tool in your self-care toolbox. Filling your journal with affirmations can also make for a creative and visually interesting journal.

Affirmation Journal Spread

The more you add, the more beautiful, and helpful, the journal becomes. Your journal is your creation. Your affirmations are personal to you. Never limit yourself in what you add to your journal pages. Fill the pages with what speaks to you personally.

Complete Affirmation Spread

For a detailed overview of how to create your own affirmations and how to keep the affirmation journal, follow the link below. Bryonna’s article is thorough and thoughtful; if you find it helpful, don’t hesitate to click the ‘follow’ button at the top of the article.

Read the Full Article Here.

How to Make a Junk Journal from Old Books

1134’s very first handmade book was a mini-comic called The Adventures of Blakbone. I made about ten copies and was stoked to have sold one to a reader all the way in Australia. Was I an international author at that point? Since then, we’ve made numerous handmade books of varying genres.

In recent years, Bryonna has taken our handmade books to a new level of creativity. Unlike the printed and roughly stapled mini-comics and zines of our past, Bryonna’s journals are made with creative intention. Each journal has its own creative spirit.

We thought that the next logical step would be to share the process of journal making with everyone. Learn How to Make a Junk Journal from Old Books in the video below; presented by Bryonna.

How to Make a Junk Journal from Old Books

For Us: Reflecting on the Journal's Creation

For Us: A Self Care Journal for Mamas is the first collaborative project that we, 1134 Press, have published. Between life’s responsibilities, Bri “Bam” Mobley and I worked diligently for over a year to create a special journal for mothers’ journey in self-care and love. 

I am not a mother, but I know so many amazing women that are. Working on this project was a way for me show my gratitude to all those women who have helped shape me into the person that I am today. It takes a lot to raise children and mentor others. Taking time to replenish yourself mentally and spiritually is not just a practice for those who don’t have children, yet, we expect (demand, even) for moms to put their wants and needs last. As Mobley said, “How are you going to pour into your little one if you’re pouring from an empty cup?”

In early discussions about what For Us could be, the conversation always returned to the idea of a room. We wanted this journal to feel like a vibrant room filled with flora and fauna, affirmations, a safe space to question, forgive, and reflect. There are too many aspects in life where women, especially mothers, don’t have autonomy over their spaces, be it internal or external. For Us attempts to achieve just that—a room of your own to be as loud or quiet as you want. 

As a person who has kept a journal since I was eight-years-old, I was surprised by the transformation that my personal journaling underwent while working on this project. Yes, For Uswas made for moms, but prompts such as, “Here is the tribe I can call on for help” and “What kind of woman do I want to be in the world,”struck a chord in me. It is our hope that For Us will do the same for you.