As I continue sharing peeks inside my collage journals, I've been getting quite a few questions about my favorite journaling supplies. So I'm combining the supplies I love using with suggested supplies for Tell It: Collage so you can have all of it in one place.

Suggested Supplies for Tell It: Collage

Journal: Preferably not lined (see some suggestions below)
Gluestick (Any glue stick will work - you will need a couple. I'm preferring the Craft Bond from Elmer's for more permanent sticking)
Pens + at least one black Sharpie
Scissors
Magazines/catalogs
Other optional ideas: Colored pencils, paint pens and/or gel pens, 1-3 colors of acrylic paint, washi tape

A Few of My Favorite Collage + Journaling Supplies

Journals

Right now I'm working in mainly three (okay, really four) journals. I'll share those along with a few other suggestions. The biggest piece for me is that the journal isn't lined. I have seen some awesome collage done in lined journals, but I'm sticking with unlined for the kinds of collage I'm drawn to and will be sharing in the course. That said, lined is okay if that's what you love.

One of my favorites is a really large Cahier Moleskine that I picked up several years ago. It is very similar to these, which I also love, but mine is even bigger than the XL size and can often fit a full magazine page. The pages are thin, which means heavy marker or pen can sometimes be seen on the other side. I don't let this bother me (and will share tips about dealing with that), but it is something to consider. I don't add wet mediums, like watercolors, to the pages of this journal but I do sometimes add acrylic paint (without using any water).
Studio Oh! Sketchbook: I love that these are coptic bound so they lay flat. The sketchbooks aren't lined, but the regular journals are so make sure you read the description. I have this one and love it for collaging and journaling. I use only dry mediums (or acrylic paint without water) in it. This is the main journal you've been seeing pop up on Instagram.
A Stillman & Birn sketchbook: I'm using the 8x10 size that is for mixed media. The pages are like butter. And they are thick enough for all kinds of mediums, which means I can use paint in it if I like.* I found mine at my local art store. It doesn't have as many pages as the other journals, which is actually kind of nice, especially if you want to focus on one topic or complete a journal sooner.
I love Moleskine sketchbooks and watercolor journals. Both styles have thicker pages, which is nice so pen and marker don't bleed through.
Tricia Alexander makes gorgeous journals. Highly recommend her work!
A simple large sketchbook, spiral bound even, also works. (You can of course work smaller, but if you're taking the course, you will probably want something bigger for the prompts we'll be doing. I wouldn't go smaller than something around 10x7.)

*Note, I mention paint several times above but you do NOT need paint for Tell It: Collage. I just share a few tips about how I use it sometimes when I feel the itch or when I want to cover something up etc.

Pens and other writing goodness

A few of my favorite pens include: Staedtler, Flair Pens, and thin Sharpies.
I also love colored pencils to easily add softer color to a page: The sets from eeboo are fun because they come in the cutest tins. Also love Crayola and keep some on my studio table all the time.
Gel pens: You can't go wrong with the Uni-Ball Signo. I'm obsessed with the metallics and of course the white.
Paint pens
Metallic Sharpies
Brush pens

Paints

I love using just regular inexpensive craft paints from my local craft stores. Target has a fun line. I'm also a bit obsessed with these colors from Golden: Iridescent Gold, Green Gold, Quinacridone Magenta, and Prussian Blue Hue.

Magazines

I really believe you can use almost any magazine but you'll want to choose some that have a mix of images and pages with more words etc. A few of my favorites include: Real Simple, O, Vanity Fair, Happinez, Flow, Selvedge, Domino, Marie Claire, In the Moment, Project Calm, Good Housekeeping, The New Yorker, travel magazines, and just about anything I find at the thrift store.

A few of the examples I've listed above are pretty expensive, and I know many lovers of these magazines wouldn't want to cut them up. I respect that. I just made a decision that keeping them on my shelves wasn't as inspiring to me as cutting out the pieces that do inspire me and adding them to my journals. I return to them again and again and bring them to workshops to share etc, so I do feel like the price is worth it. BUT you do not need to use the more expensive magazines for collage. Also, check out your local thrift stores, used bookstores, and even eBay for back issues.

I welcome questions in the comments, so ask away, and will be adding to this page as I remember other supplies and use new ones.

If you'd like to learn more about Tell It: Collage, head over here. I'd love to have you join us!

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