How to make an easy accordian-style or concertina-style art journal step-by-step:
Step one: Reuse a paper shopping bag (with or without handles). Remove the handles (if there are any), flatten the bag and glue all the edges until you have a flattened glued down cover for your journal.
Step two: Using the base of the bag as a guide, fold it into three. It’s OK if the top of the bag doesn’t fully fold over.
Step three: Take a sheet of watercolour paper or cartridge paper that will fit within your cover. I used A4-size (210 x 297mm, 8.3 x 11.7 inches). Cut it to fit within your cover, if it is too big.
Step four: Measure and fold it into thirds. Score the paper first and use a ruler or bone folder to flatten the creases.
Step five: (Optional) Cut a piece of card (I used packaging) to line the sections of your cover and strengthen it. It will need to be slightly smaller and allow for gaps so that your cover is still able to fold.
Step six: Glue all the elements together. Glue the back of the first concertina page to the back of the cover. To add more pages, fold another sheet of paper and glue a strip of paper to the back of the join.
Step seven: Put baking paper/greaseproof paper/tracing paper between the pages to prevent the glue from seeping out onto the pages. Place the folded journal under some weights and leave to dry. Decorate the cover with collage papers of your choice.
Step eight: (Optional) Create a small notebook by folding some lined paper and stapling it. Attach it with a paperclip to the middle of the cover.
Step nine: (Optional) Add some kind of journal closure. Wrap thread around the folded cover. See the video for some ideas.
