Easy Mixed Media Art: Using Your Leftover Collage Papers

In this video, I'm challenging myself to sort and use random collage papers before tossing them in the recycling bin. My paper stash had gotten out of hand so I felt it was time to make some hard choices. I'm guessing I'm not the only one who loves every bit of collage paper--how do you manage yours?
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LINKS TO PRODUCTS MENTIONED:
Vintage Book Art Journal - pamhemmerling.com/other
Canson 9X12 Mixed Media Art Journal (similar) - amzn.to/3I0A57n
Painted Paper Collage Set - pamhemmerling.com/other
Catalyst Wedge - amzn.to/3Vo7iPr
Simply Simmons Brush Set - amzn.to/3NA9O3m
Liquitex Matte Medium - amzn.to/3qXUKTG
Color Shaper - amzn.to/43zJVVt
Tim Holtz Scissors - amzn.to/46PsQci
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[@PaintedPaperStudio]

I love that you used the papers AND used them in so many journals at one time! Fantastic inspiration, Pam!

[@pamhemmerling]

Thanks Jackie! As you know, drying time is always an issue in collage--so for me the more art journals the better. And I have found a lot of inspiration in your videos as well.

[@PaintedPaperStudio]

Thanks Pam! @@pamhemmerling

[@cindythoms7246]

Would love to see how you finish these pages. I get this far then get "stuck" on finishing them. You had some cool pages

[@pamhemmerling]

Thanks, that's a great idea Cindy. I'll add that to my list of video ideas--finishing can be hard sometimes and it can be helpful to see the full process.

[@dailydoseofpaper]

I would have a hard time throwing out your scraps as well, they are simply beautiful! So I am glad they ended up in your journals anyway, they deserve a spot, for sure!😀🍀💖

[@pamhemmerling]

You are so kind! Thanks for that! I hope you are also using up your scrap papers!

[@pambell6403]

After watching many of your 30 days I found this utube…wow..fun watching you use your left overs…how about more utubes like this one❤️

[@pamhemmerling]

Thanks for that suggestion Pam--I will definitely add it to my list of videos to make in the future.

[@loribeetler591]

A collage paper swap sounds like a great idea! I’m in!

[@pamhemmerling]

Sounds like we're all up for one Lori!

[@emilywatts993]

This was fun to watch. I'd very much like to see what you later do on some of these pages to finish them off. Thanks for sharing.

[@pamhemmerling]

Thanks Emily--that is a great suggestion. I might try to do a video on finishing art journal pages--not just getting started.

[@stevenjohnson4656]

That was excellent Pam. Thank you for sharing. I had a random thought about unused collage papers. Perhaps someone should start up a collage paper swap market. It would be interesting incorporating other people’s collage papers into your own collage works, it might add a flare. Just a thought, perhaps a silly one 😊

[@LoJo99]

I think it’s a fabulous ideal

[@Dhaezi]

I have often thought about this too 😮 I just have no idea about the logistics of getting something like that going

[@pamhemmerling]

Thanks--glad you enjoyed it! What a great idea to have a collage paper swap--count me in if you get one started!

[@pamhemmerling]

@@LoJo99 I agree!

[@pamhemmerling]

@@Dhaezi Yes, it might be tricky to figure out--but a fun idea!

[@rowinggranny5216]

Another great video Pam. So inspiring that I had to put you on pause halfway through to go and do some sorting and collaging in my art journal. Always great to watch you at work, thanks for the inspiration, Wendy x

[@pamhemmerling]

Oh Wendy, that is the best! I do the same thing when I get inspired by a video. I tell myself that the video will always be there but feeling inspired to get started is something that shouldn't be ignored.

[@kirstenweidinger3416]

thanks for sharing! 💜Inspiring video 🤓

[@pamhemmerling]

I appreciate you watching Kirsten!

[@angelinamichelle8474]

I enjoyed this as my morning inspiration. Thanks!

[@pamhemmerling]

Makes me happy that I can offer some morning inspiration, Angelina! Thanks for letting me know.

[@mariacheung647]

I love it, it's like making a pizza, using up old scraps to make a delicious meal. Mmmmmm Thanks for your inspiration, it's time to purge 😊

[@pamhemmerling]

I love your analogy Maria! I hope you have fun purging your papers!

[@tomasinaconti4140]

Crazy good !

[@pamhemmerling]

You made my day, Tomasina! Thanks so much!

[@kascialelonek8757]

Loved this video, thanks

[@pamhemmerling]

I appreciate you watching Kascia! I hope you were inspired!

[@martinacolombresART]

Hey Pam, hi! I love your videos. Always waiting for the next one. You should do an episode showing you all your stash of papers and how do you have them storaged and organized. I always have a mess and end up not using them because of the caos I have them in. Tried almost everything. Thanks… and keep showing more of your work! 😘

[@pamhemmerling]

I'm holding back a smile Martina because my paper stash is not organized at all!!! It is just a big pile. I am not even kidding. I have seen how other artists sort their papers by color in clear plastic bags, clear notebook sleeves, drawers, or bins. I just cannot seem to do that. As much as I love a good organizational system the paper stack is the only thing that seems to work for me--at least for now. I think that is why I have to purge all the time because it gets too out of control!!

[@The_artistic_yogi]

Love it! Off to my stash I go! Thanks for the inspiration!

[@pamhemmerling]

Glad to hear you were inspired Nathalie! Have fun using up those papers!

[@MrsPatJones]

That was fun!

[@pamhemmerling]

Thanks so much! Glad you enjoyed it.

[@marycollier1293]

I love this. I hope I can work this fast, I am easily distracted.

[@pamhemmerling]

I hear ya Mary! I am easily distracted as well, not to mention I get bored if there's too much repetition. I think forcing yourself to work quickly takes your mind off getting it "right" and instead just prods you to glue the papers down.

[@alysonhovanec6314]

I totally need to do this! I have bins and bins of beautiful papers. Need to start using them.

[@pamhemmerling]

I know what you mean Alyson--the collage papers are fun to make but then....what to do with them? I have a tendency to hold back on using my favorite papers which can be a big problem. I mean, what in the world am I saving them for? I hope you are inspired to grab a stack and just go for it!!

[@heidiklietz3902]

WOW !!! 🎉🎉🎉

[@pamhemmerling]

High praise! Thanks Heidi!

[@deborahneumann9162]

Good morning, Pam! 🙂 This is a great idea and yes, I hang on to SO much paper, as I'm sure we all do. One of the things I'm going to do with a lot of it, is to create 'collage kits'... or maybe I'll call them 'Kollage Kits' to sell. That way I can continue to create papers till my heart's content. LOL Looks like I'm going to be moving after all, so it will have to wait for a few months. Am going to put a myriad (about 65-75 pieces) of ephemera in each one, along with a substrate, so all of this comes in handy. Keep painting! BIG Hugs! Deborah 🙂

[@pamhemmerling]

Hi Deborah, that is a great idea about creating and selling collage kits. I sell something similar on my website called "Painted Paper Packs" and you are right it is a good use for your extra stash. Good luck with your move--are you moving far?

[@deborahneumann9162]

We've been looking all across the country for about 3 years (either cost too high & no stairs for Me anymore)... but to no avail. Tried for 6 months last year to find something in Davenport, IA... my Mom still lives there (93 year's wise now). Finally gave up. Unpacked everything, redecorated the apartment - - 2 days after I finished, the phone rang and a brand new construction apartment building I'd left messages all over town for... they called Me and said I could have my pick of the apartments, since I was the first to inquire. WHAT???!!! It overlooks the Mississippi River in the downtown area on the top floor, solid windows, wrap-around balcony, all appliances... and within our budget. Wow! May 1st - MAY DAY... MAY DAY! LOL I will check out your Painted Paper Stacks - VERY cool! 🙂 @@pamhemmerling

[@pamhemmerling]

@@deborahneumann9162 What a long process!! I'm glad you found something or rather had a place handed to you on a silver platter! How fun is that--your pick of apartments! Sounds amazing!

[@lisastevens2607]

Excellent use of these papers! Thanks 💙🦋

[@pamhemmerling]

Thanks for watching Lisa! I hope it inspires you to use your random papers.

[@beritbranch2436]

very educational :)

[@pamhemmerling]

I'm not sure what you mean.

[@kritter2976]

Thank you again for sharing Pam. I have a request that I was hoping you might consider. I was looking at your website, which is lovely by the way, and was wondering if you would share tips on how you created it. I have several questions like, the costs, difficulty level, blogging, photography of art work, etc. I hope this isn't an exhausting list of questions, but I very much enjoyed reading your blog posts. Anyway, take care and Happy Painting!! Krista

[@pamhemmerling]

Thanks for poking around my website Krista! I appreciate your feedback and kind words. I use Squarespace as the platform for my website and it costs about $300/year. Squarespace offers great templates (which include blogging styles, selling formats, etc) and lots of helpful videos and tutorials to get you started. I take all my own photography and do the best I can--initially, I used a DSLR camera but now I just use my phone, a white background, and lights. There was definitely a big learning curve for me when I set up my website but I'm glad I persevered as I don't need to rely on anyone else to make changes or add products. I'm a one-woman show for the most part. I hope that answers your questions--let me know if there's anything else.

[@kritter2976]

Hi Pam, thank you so much. This answers all of my questions! I'm grateful for your time in responding to my inquiry. I really appreciate your channel. Happy Painting!

[@janetdegenhardt5999]

Have you ever considered reaching out to art teachers at public schools to see if they would like some of your larger scraps?

[@pamhemmerling]

That's a great idea Janet!

[@LoJo99]

L🤎ve this,enjoyed some of the smudging too. Question; Was the circles 6:35 painted on vellum paper….?

[@pamhemmerling]

Thanks Lora! The circles were painted on deli paper.

[@carollands8842]

You'd never know these were your least favorite papers.

[@pamhemmerling]

Oh, Carol I was thinking the same thing when I edited the video!! I guess it's because I generally use colors and make marks that I like.

[@lisagornatti8655]

Tell me about the journal with the linen binding. Did you make that?

[@pamhemmerling]

Thanks for noticing that art journal Lisa! I am actually planning a video for February on how to make it. Very easy--no sewing.

[@lisagornatti8655]

Oh great!! I look forward to seeing that one!

[@outoftheforest7652]

i notice with your use of old books.. that those are not really archival. There is a lot of yellowing. How Brittle are those pages?

[@pamhemmerling]

Good point. The old books are not archival although keeping them on a shelf, closed, and out of the sun does help. The pages are brittle and aging--which I love. I glue pages together for stability which helps a bit and the more layers I add also increases page strength. In regards to being archival, if I'm honest I'm not under the impression that any of my art will stand the test of time so it really doesn't matter that much to me. If that is something that you desire then definitely use materials that are archival and avoid materials that degrade easily.