Basic Supplies List 

A printable copy of this list is available here.

This is not an exhaustive art journaling supply list. You will find many of these items in your own home, or may be able to ask family and friends to save up items you can use. This list is merely a guide to get your creative juices flowing, and help you begin to think outside of the box.

Art journaling and mixed media art are working their way into the "mainstream", and with this often comes pressure to spend money on products to get a certain look you want. Personally I advise you to use what you have, and when making purchases use coupons, sales, and less expensive brands.

While you are in the process of learning your craft/hobby/possible business venture, it is better to spend your time practicing instead of shopping. *gasp!* 

In the beginning, experiment with different techniques. Find what you love. Later on, splurge and try out some of the more expensive art supplies on the market. Sometimes it is better to spend a bit more, but a lot of times you can buy cheaper versions with excellent results!

Before you go shopping, and get excited wanting to purchase the newest item in the art journaling craze, take a deep breath and see what you already have on hand. You may be surprised at all of the art supplies you already own!

Now, go get started, and go make some oh so beautiful messes!

Cover up!
apron/art smock/large t-shirt
shower curtain/plastic table cloth {cover work area}

Art Supplies
crayons pencil     sharpener      pens      permanent markers      sharpies     washable markers     pencils     art pencils     colored pencils     erasers     ink chalk     play dough     clay    baker's clay     manilla folders     Velcro     Gesso

Tools & Accessories 
laminator     laminating sheets     xacto knife     scissors     child safety scissors stapler     staples     ruler     sandpaper     hole punch     clippers     nails pegs, wood rods screws     stencils     thumb tacks     loose binder rings {various sizes} key rings      paint brushes     makeup sponges

Basic Craft Supplies 
beads {assortment of colors, sizes, shapes}     bells      buttons      craft ice cream sticks     elastic     feathers     felt     foam pieces and foam stickers     foam sheets and shapes      glitter     googly eyes     magnets and magnet strips     paint sponges pipe cleaners/chenille stems     plastic gems     pompoms     ribbon     rubber bands rubber stamps     safety pins     sea shells     sequins     stickers     Styrofoam balls and cones      thread     tooth picks     toothbrushes     wire     yarn

Glue and Adhesives 
clear glue     craft glue     glue gun     glue sticks     fabric glue      glitter glue   tacky glue     white glue     scotch tape     double sided tape     duct tape     masking tape     mod podge     rubber cement

Around the House 
aluminum foil     aluminum pie plates     baker’s string     balls     balloons     candles     coffee filters     cookie cutters     cotton swabs     cupcake liners     dried beans and uncooked pasta     egg cartons     floss     foil {silver and gold} food coloring     forks and spoons {plastic and silverware}     knife     loc bags marbles     pantyhose     paper towel rolls     paper towels     picture frames   plates, dishes, glasses     pocket mirrors     rice     sewing pins and needles sponges     spray starch     straws     thread     toilet paper rolls     washers {various sizes}     wax paper     wood spoons

Outside 
acorns     bricks     dried flowers     leaves     nuts     pine cones     rocks, stones, pebbles     sand     seed pods     seeds {various shapes, sizes and colors}     sticks

Paints and Paint Supplies
acrylic spray     finger paint     paint brushes     paint rollers     paint sample cards paint tray     paints     spray paint     stamp pads {various colors}     watercolors

Paper 
art paper {watercolor, sketch, etc}     books {used, from thrift stores etc. for collages and more}     butcher paper     cardstock {white, colored}     colored paper     composition books {sewn books, less than a dollar each}     construction paper     contact paper     crepe paper     envelopes     index cards      muffin cup liners      paper bags {small and large}     paper clips     paper cups     paper doilies     paper napkins     paper plates, bowls, cups     paper rolls     paper scraps     paper towels     poster board     printer paper     scrap paper     scrapbook paper     sticky notes     white paper

Recycled Items
aluminum cans     baskets     bed sheet(s)     pillowcases     bottle caps/lids bottles boxes     bubble wrap     cans & jars     caps and hats     cardboard boxes cardboard scraps     cardboard tubes     catalogues & junkmail cds     cellophane cereal boxes     coat hangers     coffee cans with lids     combs     containers with handles     cookie boxes     cookie tins     corks     cotton balls     diaper wipe containers     drinking straws     fabric scraps     food storage containers     food trays     fruit/veggie containers from grocery store     gift wrap     greeting cards (used) grocery bags hair pins keys lids of all sizes magazines maps mason jars milk and juice cartons     milk jugs     mittens and gloves     newspapers     packing peanuts     plastic bags     plastic containers and tubs with lids     plastic cups from restaurants     plastic jars and bottles with lids     plastic trays     plastic yogurt, margarine, and sour cream containers     produce bags     sheet music     shirt for art smock     shoe boxes     shoelaces     socks     soda bottles     spools     tissue boxes     tissue paper     toy and cardboard boxes     toys {use for parts}     trays wine bottles     wood scraps     yogurt containers