Seems like journaling is all the craze these days. Some of the magazines that I like promote journaling as a way to jump start the creative process, and several blogs I follow note journaling as well. Recently I was reading an article that suggested you start journaling by simply noting five good/inspirational thoughts every day. Seems reasonable, but I still wasn't inspired to begin a journal. However, tomorrow, a friend and I will be taking a metalsmithing session with a well known local artist, and she strongly suggests keeping a journal. Ok...what could it hurt, I'm gonna give it a go. Then, the search for just the right book to journal in began...finally, I decided to purchase a small sketch pad and embellish the cover with a copper piece. I wanted something that would really inspire me...a kinda journal, sketch pad, note taking kinda book. Over the weekend, I decided to get started...with no thoughts really of what I wanted it to look like of where I would go with the copper piece...fly by the seat of my pants, if you will. This is what I came up with...
Journal with handmade cover
I stated with a piece of sheet copper cut to size, then broke out the hammers, stamps, and basically anything that would create texture. There are inspirational words stamped randomly around the sheet, texture everywhere, then I torched the piece in select areas to create a wonderful patina, while in other areas I used LOS. Finally, the sheet copper was riveted to the cover of the sketch pad.
This isn't the greatest picture, but I'm super please with the outcome. Now...to begin journaling.
Do you journal? Everyday?
Does it help you creatively?
