Japanese Journal

Make a beautiful Japanese-inspired journal with this project from Susan Pickering Rothamel. Mica pigments create a beautiful color background.

Materials:

• Excel Mat Board – Black – 2 - 5” x 7”
• Gildenglitz - Variegated
• Duo Embellishing Adhesive
• WireWorks
• Jewelz – Mica Pigments
• Perfect Paper Adhesive (PPA)
• Great Tape
• Art Paper - Japanese Fishwrap
• Texture Sponge
• Air Dry or Polymer Clay
• Rattan
• Book Cloth Tape
• Folia Cardstock – black, gold, various colors
• Beads
• Small black rubber bands
• Hole Punch
• Japanese Stamp - Hero Arts

Instructions:

1. Cut a 1” strip from one piece of the 5 x 7 Excel Mat Board – Black
2. Lay the two pieces of Excel Mat Board – Black next to each, leaving a 1/8” gap.
3. Cut a strip of black book cloth 1” wide.
4. Use Great Tape to adhere the book cloth to the 1” piece (spine) and the larger cut piece. Maintain the gap, because it will become the hinge.
5. One half inch down from the top, and one half inch up from the bottom punch two small holes ½” apart. Cut 6 pieces of paper for the inside pages. Punch holes into the paper that line up with the 4 punched spine holes.
6. Use two small rubber bands to attach the rattan, spine cover, and inside pages of the book together.
7. Cut two pieces of Art Paper - Japanese Fishwrap for the insides of the cover. Attach with Great Tape
8. Roll out a piece of clay. It should be about 1/8” thick and 2” square. Stamp image into the clay. Allow this to dry thoroughly. (Air dry or bake as directed.) Paint the clay with Perfect Paper Adhesive (PPA) and Jewelz – Mica Pigments
9. Cut four squares from a piece of black card stock. Coat the paper with Duo Embellishing Adhesive and let dry. Apply Gildenglitz - Variegated and brush off excess with a Texture Sponge.
10. Layer the gold, black, and gilded squares together with Great Tape. Attach the clay image with Perfect Paper Adhesive (PPA)
11. Attach beads and some wire together for a handle.