Using Found Ephemera in Scrapbooking
Introduction
Scrapbooking is a wonderful craft that we can share with our families and preserve our heritage. Using our collected ephemera is a cost effective way to scrap great layouts but not break the bank. Here we will look at what ephemera is, where we can find it, how to store it and how we can include elements into our everyday layouts.
What is Ephemera?
Beginning your ephemera collection to use in your scrapbooking is easy - you are already keeping those bits and pieces as you travel or go on family outings. Now you can look at them in a new light. You're not just a gatherer of junk; you are collecting ephemera to use in your scrapbooking. Any piece of paper could potentially become part of your craft work, so search for maps as you visit new places, keep your ticket stubs and, of course, take LOTS of photos.
Some of the ephemera you gather will be free and there may be an opportunity to buy elements, like postcards or a history of the places of significance you visit. Travel brochures of the places you visit are also a great source of photos and mini-maps. they can help you to tell your story by adding another piece to the puzzle.
Storing our collected ephemera
Keeping our ephemera collection safe and easy to find until we need it needs to be considered when thinking about how best to store our growing collection. Putting like items together and labelling them with the event and date will make creating layouts much easier, as we can find where we have put things and kept them flat. Scrapbooking pockets, display folders and expanding files are all cost effective ways to store any documentation and your ephemera collections can also be stored in these organisers.
Once your main layout is complete, any left over ephemera can join a general collection to be used another time. May be you could even swap ephemera with friends.
Using Ephemera in our Layouts
When we sit down to scrap, pull out our ephemera files for that event and see which elements we can incorporate into out layouts. Small items like tickets can help tell the story, showing the event and date and where it was held. Maps can make great backgrounds, leaving the area of importance marked and clear from any embellishments. Spread out all the bits and pieces you have and arrange them a few times, pulling some elements forward, moving other back, until you are happy with the general composition.
Where can I learn more?
- Mixed Media Art
Scrapbooking and mixed media art techniques and tutorials
