Useful Journaling Supplies

Over the years, there have been a few items which I have found to be very useful in the journaling process, so this seems to be a good time to round them up in one place.  These are just some of my own favorites, but not intended to be taken as ideal in any way, and undoubtedly you have favorites of your own you like to use.  They are listed in no particular order.

Pens: “Sarasa” gel pens by “Zebra,” both 0.05 and 0.07 sizes.  They are archival quality, last a long time, and come in at least 8 colors.  Also, the “Profile” gel pen by “PaperMate,” though I have  seen no claim that it is archival quality.

Pencils: There are three main brands I use regularly.  The Sketching & Drawing pencils by Derwent , in the “B” (Soft), “H” (Hard), and “HB” (medium) range have been my personal favorites for years.  Derwent has many other products which might be helpful.  The Derwent “Colorsoft” collection is formulated for resistance to fading and their watercolor pencils can be applied like standard colored pencils and then liquefied with water for watercolor effects.  They also have pastels, metallics and other specialized products.  I want to mention the colored pencil products of two other companies which I have found very useful for journaling work: Faber-Castell (“Polychromos”) and Caran D’Ache (“Luminance 6901”).  They are both somewhat more expensive, but there are some unique colors not available elsewhere.  I find all of these products are extremely dependable.  Personal preference is more the issue.

Glassine Envelopes: These are economical and most often found in philatelic stores, as they are used for storing stamps.  I use the 3.5” x 6.5” size, though they come in many sizes.  Since sketches and drawings on journal pages sometimes smudge easily, I cut a glassine envelope to the size I want, and tape it over the sketch.  I just make sure not to put it in the same place on every page, or it will become an unbecoming “lump” and distort the rest of the journal and spine.

Erasers:  I have been using Staedtler’s :Mars-Plastic erasers for years.  I bought a small case of them as a student, and so have never run out.  They make clean erasures without disturbing the surface of the paper.

Mistakes Happen!  I willingly admit that I am rather a traditionalist about my journals.  I write in them every day, in ink, and longhand.  Inevitably, when expressing oneself, there will be at best some small mistakes: spelling, choosing a better word, etc.  So I make it a habit to keep a dispenser of the dry paper tape which is drawn over the error or a bottle of “White-Out” (liquid correction fluid with a brush or foam dauber).  Either works just fine, and you can write in your correction when it is dry.

Rulers:  Since many journal books are anywhere from 7” to 10” high, depending on which you prefer, having a ruler at hand serves many convenient purposes.  I keep two.  First, is a metal ruler with a cork backing which prevents slipping and the numbers are easy to read.  Second, is a clear plastic ruler with clear numbers, which is the same length as the spine of the journal.  It was hard to find this – some are too long and hard to handle conveniently; others are too short and need frequent repositioning on the page, which is inconvenient.  As a result I bought a long plastic ruler, scored a line on it at the proper size, and broke the ruler on the score line.  Works like a charm.

Miscellaneous:  A few other odds and ends which come to mind are colored gel pens, pencil sharpener, bone paper folder, glue, small scissors, and archival-quality “invisible” tape, a calendar for the year you are working with, photograph mounting devices, book marks, maps, etc.

I hope that this is an assistance to your journal keeping.

Some Words of Encouragement:

·        “Sometimes just picking up my journal, just holding it, leads me through a doorway and into another state of mind.”  [“One Hand, One Voice,” Barbara Bash, p. 1.]

·        “What I have done most of my writing career has been to fill folders with notes, ideas, and clippings. … Another note, scribbled on a scrap of paper: ‘I wonder if dirt’ll hurt a turtle?’  Sounds a little saucy.  Probably wouldn’t use it.  But it’s in here. … It’s a good place to tuck ideas.”  [“Keeping A Life,” David Harrison]

·        “No longer private, but still safe, Jennifer Owings Dewey’s journals trigger new book ideas.  She opens her journal, flips the pages, and begins making notes.  New ideas always speak to her.” [“Rattlesnake Dance,” Jennifer Owings Dewey.]