Turn Your Junk Mail into Happy Mail Art!

I've recently noticed all the great mail art people are making and sharing on YouTube. If you're like me, you probably get a lot of "junk" mail. I decided to give it a try and I'm hooked.

Like most things, all it takes is looking at things in a new and different way. Turning flyers, advertisements, postcards and other mailings into artwork can quickly become addictive. So much better than throwing them into the trash!

Before long, you'll be positively giddy to see junk mailings in your mailbox! You can also find unique and creative ways to reuse cardboard boxes, product packaging and even retail product tags. Keeping everything in a box and ready to use will help inspire ideas!

Here are just a few things I've recently made from junk mail:

© 2016 Susan Barton

The piece on the left was made from a recycled cracker box (the "you'll love" text was already on there). The piece on the right was a church mailing that I turned into an 8-page mini zine. A little paint, some drawings, pen and ink and I have something I can send in some happy mail.

© 2016 Susan Barton

This piece was another sheet from the church mailing. I was able to tear the sheets in half and get several 8.5 x 11 inch sheets to use. I painted, stenciled and stamped on it, drew one of my girls to glue on and folded over the top slightly to create an envelope. I sealed the edges with double-sided tape. (you can also sew the edges to seal them)

© 2016 Susan Barton

This one is made from several different pieces of junk mail cards that I folded over and bound together using some inexpensive cotton string. I added ATCs, hang tags with tassels and a bunch of other secret goodies inside some pockets created from junk mail envelopes. You can pretty much paint over anything and add your own touches using this technique.  

Do you create junk mail art? I'd love to see some of your work. Please leave a comment below. I'm always open to trading mail art too!

Fun With Junk Journaling

Have you heard about junk journaling (also known as junk mail journaling). Journal enthusiasts having been having fun turning junk mail into art for a while, but I only just heard about it a few months ago. I'm telling you, once you get started you're going to be hooked! And...I promise you'll never look at a piece of junk mail the same again. In fact, I guarantee you'll be positively giddy to see your mail carrier coming to your door.

Below are just a couple of very humble examples of what I've done so far. Aside from the advertisements I get in the mail, I've found uses for all sorts of things I'd otherwise throw in the trash. It's a great way to recycle!

You know those medical pamphlets you see in doctor and dentist offices? They make excellent mini journals. A coat of paint, some embellishments and you've got a work of art.

I've also discovered toilet paper roll journals. Who would have thought paper towel and toilet paper rolls could be transformed into something other than kids crafts? The mini-tag inserts are even recycled, since I reused an old mailing envelope.

There's a whole world out there devoted to junk mail artists and they love trading and collecting. I've recently joined the International Union of Mail Artists (IUOMA) but still have to post some of my creations.

Let me know if you're a junk mail artist. I'd love to see your artwork! Trading is always an option too :)

Medical Pamphlet Into Journal Inside View

Medical Pamphlet Into Journal

Toilet Paper Roll Journal

Toilet Paper Roll Journal Tag Inserts