How to Make an Easy Binder Ring Journal Without Journaling
When I go on a trip, I love to collect mementos to remember the places we went, the things we did and the places we had a meal. I say travel, but really anywhere I go, I collect. Sometimes I buy trinkets, but a lot of the time, I grab a business card, sometimes I buy a postcard, if a tag or bag is especially nice I’ll save those too. I am not big on journaling, so collecting the business cards, postcards or stickers is my way of journaling. No, future generations will know why I have a Coca Cola postcard so I can remember my first taste of Inca Gold or why there are Laurel Mercantile (a place I fell in love with) postcards tucked amongst my memories, they won’t understand the Milk Bar (a place that brings back a memory of freedom) flyer that came with my box of cookies. Collecting business cards and other advertisements is a unique way of journaling without having to actually journal.
I have a couple of ways that I corral my business cards, postcards, stickers and other random advertisement pieces, but today I will show you how I make an actual journal. Don’t worry, we’re not making signatures or binding or anything like that, this will be really easy! You simply need: a hole punch, eyelet setter, binder rings and your collection of business cards, postcards etc. Starting with your narrowest card, punch holes in the top and add eyelets. Now use the finished card as a template for punching holes and adding eyelets to the rest of your cards. Using the smallest card as a template, allows the cards to generally line up so the binder rings will fit. I like the binder rings because you can easily rearrange or add new cards in any place inside your journal. You can use a permanent marker to add thoughts and notes to your cards. If your eyelets are not perfectly lined up, it’s ok, just do your best and have fun! I made a fun Reel that I shared on Instagram that might get your creative juices flowing, and it will help you see what I mean by using your smallest card as a template.
When you collect things to track your memories, be creative. Some places don’t have business cards or they’re fresh out, which I run into a lot! When I went to Five Daughters Bakery in Nashville to chow down on one of their delectable cronuts, they sadly had no business cards. The patient employees looked around everywhere to try and find me something equivalent to a business card, to no avail. When they handed me the box of cronuts, I was very careful with it. When I was finished, I wiped off all traces of frosting and I cut out the cute graphics and added it to my journal.
If you’re ever in New Orleans, Magazine Street might be my most favorite spots, because it’s chock full of eateries, bakeries, antique shops and it’s not too terribly crazy unlike Canal Street. Canal Street is a place I like to avoid at all costs. ALL COSTS. I could tell you stories. Back to the point. I stopped into Sucré for macarons and ice cream, but when I walked through the doors, my senses were enveloped with the scent of fresh lavender. The place was beautiful, I needed to remember it. They had no business cards, but they did have macaron menu cards, so they gave me one of those and it has been proudly added to my journal.
Don’t be afraid to ask for a business card or if they don’t have one, tell them why you want one and most places will find something for you that will work. You might get an odd look now and again, but most of the time I have found that people are delighted that you want to remember their shop. Even when the employees aren’t the owners of the shop, they’re proud that you like their place of work enough to want to keep it as part of your memories. I have found too, that having these conversations with employees allows for a moment of authenticity between you. You’re opening up to them and there is this moment when they understand what you are doing that they open up to you. There is joy written all over their face as they look around trying to help you achieve this thing. You’re being vulnerable together, you’re sharing a sweet moment of just being human, and that little business card equivalent that you take home, has even more memories attached to it.
