Create an Artist’s Journal

---

Creativation 2026 may be behind us, but the inspiration continues.

We had a wonderful time at this year’s Creativation, connecting with creative professionals, manufacturers, retailers, educators, makers, and community members from across the industry. Thank you to everyone who stopped by to visit, create, learn, and share ideas with us throughout the event.

One of the highlights of our time on-site was hosting the Creative Connection Studio, a vibrant hub of creativity, conversation, and hands-on exploration. Under the leadership of mixed-media artist Ophelia Staton, the studio remained alive with activity as attendees gathered to experiment with materials, discover new techniques, and explore creative possibilities using products generously provided by our sponsors.

Throughout the event, Ophelia guided participants through a series of background-building demonstrations, sharing tips, techniques, and creative insights while encouraging attendees to explore and play with a variety of materials. Each session included approximately 45 minutes of instruction, hands-on experimentation, and discovery.

We are excited to continue sharing that experience beyond the show floor.

To help you revisit the techniques—or explore them for the first time—we are pleased to offer downloadable instructions for each of the four mixed-media backgrounds featured in the Creative Connection Studio. These PDFs provide an overview of the materials, techniques, and creative approaches demonstrated during the event and can serve as a starting point for your own artistic exploration.

Download the instructional guides below:

Whether you joined us in St. Louis or are discovering these projects for the first time, we hope these resources inspire you to continue experimenting, creating, and exploring new materials and techniques.

Thank you again to Ophelia Staton, our generous sponsors, and everyone who helped make the Creative Connection Studio such a memorable part of Creativation. We look forward to seeing where your creativity takes you next and seeing you at next year’s Creativation in Michigan!

---

What Is an Artist’s Journal? And Why Does It Matter?

An artist’s journal can be anything you need it to be:

• A sketchbook
• A color playground
• A scrapbook of ideas
• A place to test products and techniques
• A personal creative reset
• A record of growth over time

The important thing is to make it a space for exploration—a place to begin. No rules. No pressure. No finished masterpiece required. For makers, retailers, educators, and artists, journaling leads to more than pretty pages; sometimes it’s where you discover your next big idea.

That’s the concept behind the Creative Connection Studio, where we’ll pair creative play with a range of inspiring art materials. Check out the variety of tools and materials that will be on hand—each primed to ignite and expand your journaling adventures!

Add Color Without Fear

Color changes everything. Washes, splatters, pencils, markers, and layered paint—they all can shift the mood of a page in seconds. Try a bold background. Layer subtle neutrals. Blend unexpected combinations. There are no mistakes here—only discoveries.

Check out the following supplies to expand the possibilities with paints and other wet media:

• Americana Acrylics by DecoArt
• Gansai Tambi Watercolor Pans by Kuretake from Chartpak
• FW Acrylic Inks by Daler-Rowney from Dixon Ticonderoga
• Custom Handmade Watercolor Set by Brighter Day Pigments
• QoR Watercolor Urban Sketch Half-Pan Set and Intensity Half-Pan Set by Golden Artist Colors
• Richeson Casein Paint from DecoArt
• PaperArtsy Fresco Paints
• Pébéo LINO water-based printmaking inks
• Pointer Watercolor Solid Set of 36
• Metallic Liquid Sumi Inks by Yasutomo

And here’s a list of pens and pencils to further your color exploration:

• Drawing Pencils by Derwent
• Polychromos Artists’ Colour Pencils by Faber-Castell
• STABILO woody 3-in-1 Multi-Talented Pencils and Boss Highlighters
• Mars Lumograph Color Aquarell watercolor graphite pencils by Staedtler
• Le Pen and Le Pen writing pens by Uchida
• MILDLINER Dual-Tip Creative Highlighter by Zebra
• Olo Brush/Chisel Market Set of 32 (and Carry Case) from Global Creative
• Artists’ Watercolor Pencils by Holbein
• MATTEHOP gel roller pens by Pentel

Bring in Unexpected Details

Some pages want more than color. They want layers, raised surfaces, torn edges, stitched details, and tactile interest. Glue down collage pieces, create pockets, and attach embellishments that make the page feel alive. Artist Journals can always benefit from a touch of surprise. Let the page become an object, not just a surface.

Turn to some of these tools and materials for adding dimensional interest and other creative additions to transform a page:

• Artistic Wire by Beadalon
• 3” x 4″ Clear Photopolymer Stamps by Photocentric
• Ranger Archival Ink Pad (Jet Black)
• Stencils, Stamps & Papers by Dare 2B Artzy
• Stencil Butters and TCW Stencils from The Crafter’s Workshop
• Stencil Pro Brushes by Dynasty Brush
• Dura-Lar Prints by Grafix
• Zip Dry paper glue by Beacon Adhesives
• Book Lovers Junk Journal and Ephemera book from Ecstasy Crafts
• Crystal Fire® Flat Back Rhinestones and Fire Mountain Gems and Beads® Rhinestone Positioner

Experiment With Tools and Techniques

Sometimes, a new tool opens the door to a new technique and creative habit. Heat tools, cutters, presses, markers, punches, and other craft technology can make pages faster, cleaner, bolder, or more playful.

Start innovating with the help of these products:

• Metal Stamping & Bracelet Bundle by ImpressArt
• VersiFlex by Sawgrass from Craft Express
• xTool F2 Portable Dual Laser Engraver
• Amodex Ink & Stain Remover
• We R Heat Gun and Tonic 5″ Precision Scissors from Notions Marketing
• Color Cube 2nd Edition from Sarah Renae Clark

Play With Your Paper

Whether you turn to a ready-made sketchbook or build your own journal with your favorite paper, there are endless options. You can build a durable journal for just about any preferred media or technique.

Here are a few books and papers to investigate:

• Stonehenge Papers (cold-pressed and hot-pressed) by Legion
• Art Creation Sketchbooks by Royal Talens
• Fabriano Aristico watercolor paper from Chartpak
• White Ibis Paper by Holbein
• The Watercolor Made Simple Workbook by Nicki Traikos (Quarto Group)

Keeping an art journal is an ongoing adventure. Use what intrigues you. Ignore what doesn’t. Curiosity is the only rule!

Thank You to Our Sponsors

The Creative Connection Studio is made possible by companies that believe in imagination, experimentation, and the power of hands-on creativity. Their support helps transform materials into moments of inspiration.