Make a Custom Art/Travel Journal
Workshop | Available
Craft a beautiful, one-of-a-kind journal designed for drawing, mixed media, or writing. Perfect for travel, daily sketching, or meaningful gift-giving, this hands-on workshop guides you through the complete process of creating your own hand-bound book.
Learn how to fold and organize page groups (signatures), stitch and glue them securely to a spine, and assemble a durable, functional journal. You’ll personalize your cover using your own artwork — upcycled watercolors, alcohol-ink pieces, collage elements, or any mixed-media creations you’d like to incorporate. The result is a deeply expressive, entirely handmade journal that reflects your personal style.
All essential bookbinding tools, step-by-step instructions, and diagrams are provided, making this workshop accessible for beginners and enriching for experienced makers. (See supply list for additional supplies you will need to bring)
- • Paper Scraps:
A few sheets or scraps of watercolor paper (8x10 or smaller,
studio or pro quality)
• Cover Artwork:
Watercolor paintings, alcohol inks, or printed/specialty
papers to design your cover
• Paints:
Watercolor or Gouache
• Journal Pages:
140 lb watercolor or multimedia paper (9x12 paper size) for pad of paper at least 15 sheets
student grade is fine—please bring a new pad)
• Adhesive:
Aleene’s Tacky Glue (or similar crafting glue)
• Tools:
o Brushes (for painting and gluing)
o Ruler
o Masking tape
o Scissors
o X-Acto knife
o Cutting mat
Clara Sue Beym
Clara Sue Beym is a resident of Bayville NJ. She has been painting in watercolor for most of her life. Her education was in Graphic Design, Fine Art, Architectural Illustration and Fabric Arts. An award-winning graphic designer for over 25 years she has used both her graphic design and her fine art skills in her career in marketing of publications and international ad campaigns. Clara has helped teach art to seniors, young students and will soon be working with Easter Seals organization leading art-making with disabled adults.
Recently retired, Clara is an active member of several art organizations: OCAG, Garden State Watercolor Society (Board Member), Pine Shores Art Association and Toms River Arts Association. Clara is part of the Print Making group on Tuesdays at the Guild, has shown her art regularly at the Guild and other venues in Ocean County and Mercer County. Clara regularly donates her paintings to fund raisers. She paints commissioned house portraits and pet portraits, and has sold paintings to collectors throughout the states. Clara had a solo exhibit at the Berkeley Branch library in 2022, which showcased her local paintings including her watercolor collages. Clara won first place for her watercolor in the 2022 Senior Art Exhibit for Ocean County and honorable mention for NJ.
Websites:
https://clarasuebeym.wixsite.com/beymart
https://1-clara-sue-beym.pixels.com/
https://www.youtube.com/@clarasuebeym2846
Social Media:
https://www.instagram.com/beym_ar