Seashell Collage Printables + Why Junk Journaling Doesn’t Have to Be Complicated.
Junk Journaling Doesn’t Have to Be Complicated. Keep It Simple and Start with a Seashell.
Junk journaling is a joyful, creative practice that can be as layered and artistic or as minimal and meditative as you want it to be. But somewhere along the way, it can start to feel like there are a thousand rules to follow: color theory, composition, gesso, layering, stenciling, stamping, hand-lettering, and the perfect aesthetic. Sound familiar? If you've ever felt overwhelmed before even putting glue to paper, you're not alone. The truth is, junk journaling doesn't have to be complicated. In fact, it can be as simple as one beautiful image, one memory, or one moment of peace on a page.
And sometimes, all it takes to get started is a seashell.
Free Giveaway: Seashell Printable Ephemera Sheets
To help you begin your next journal spread with ease, I'm giving away two printable collage sheets featuring vintage seashell illustrations. One sheet includes 2.5 x 3.5 inch artist trading card (ATC) sized images perfect for backgrounds and layering. The second offers coordinating seashell gift tags, which are great for writing down thoughts, adding texture, or tucking into pockets and envelopes.
These printables are ideal for summer-themed journals, beach memory books, or simply bringing a soft, natural vibe into your mixed-media work. You can download both sheets for free on this page.
Why We Overcomplicate Creative Practices
Many of us are drawn to junk journaling because it promises freedom. There are no rules, no right or wrong way to do it. But ironically, this freedom can sometimes be paralyzing. Social media feeds filled with perfectly curated spreads can leave us wondering if we're doing it "right."
Some common overthinking traps include:
Feeling like every page needs a theme or deep meaning
Believing we need expensive materials to create something "worthy"
Over-planning our layouts instead of experimenting
Comparing our work to others and losing our voice
These hang-ups can stop us before we even begin. The good news? Simplicity is not only allowed. It's powerful.
What Simple Junk Journaling Looks Like
Simple junk journaling doesn't mean boring or less creative. It means:
Grabbing a single printable image that inspires you
Gluing it down without overthinking
Writing a single thought or memory next to it
Letting blank space breathe
Imagine a page with a vintage shell in one corner and the words: "Reminds me of summers with my grandmother at the coast." That page holds just as much emotional weight, if not more, than one packed with layers and embellishments.
Simplicity can invite presence and reflection.
Using Printables as a Starting Point
One of the easiest ways to simplify your journaling process is to begin with a printable image. Here’s how to use the seashell collage sheets effectively:
Choose one shell image that catches your eye.
Glue it down on a blank journal page, tea-stained page, or old book page.
Respond to it in writing. What does it remind you of? A trip, a texture, a sound?
Add one or two elements like a fabric scrap, a postage stamp, or torn book text.
Stop there. Really. Give yourself permission to walk away from the page.
By starting with just one image, you reduce decision fatigue and create space for creativity to emerge naturally.
Here is an example of a junk journal page I created with one of the shell images. I started with a page from a dictionary I got from a free box outside a used bookstore. I added a strip torn from a brown paper bag and what popped into my head. I could have stopped there, and it would have been fine. I went a little further and added a second strip, a scrap of lace, and a postage stamp I had on hand, but it would have been okay if I hadn’t had that lace or stamp.
Small Prompts for Simple Pages
If you're not sure what to write, here are some shell-inspired journaling prompts to get your thoughts flowing:
Describe a beach you remember vividly from childhood.
Write a letter to the ocean.
List five sounds you associate with the sea.
Describe a memory that feels soft and worn like a shell.
When have you needed to retreat into your shell, and why?
You can write these directly on the shell tags or tuck the tags into a pocket on your page.
Letting Go of Perfection
One of the biggest myths about journaling is that your pages need to look beautiful. But the best journals are the ones that are used, not the ones that sit untouched because we fear messing them up.
Here are a few mantras to keep in mind:
My journal is for me.
It’s okay if it’s messy.
This page doesn't need to be anything but honest.
Progress over perfection.
A single image and thought are enough.
You don’t have to impress anyone. Not even future you. Just show up.
2.5 x 3.5 Inch ATCs
Creating a Gentle Routine
If you want to incorporate more regular journaling into your life, but avoid burnout or pressure, keep it simple:
Once a week, print out a single collage sheet like the seashells.
Sit down with a cup of tea and choose one image.
Spend 10 minutes creating one page.
Stop. You’re done.
Building small creative rituals like this helps you stay connected to your practice without turning it into a chore.
Ideas for Summer and Beach-Themed Journals
The vintage seashell images work beautifully with seasonal and nature-inspired pages. Try pairing them with:
Tea-dyed or sand-colored paper
Vintage maps or nautical charts
Old postcards or travel tickets
Quotes about the sea or solitude
Driftwood-toned washi tape or netting textures
You can also incorporate the seashell gift tags into:
Handmade greeting cards
Mini-albums or memory books
Summer pen pal letters
Collage bookmarks
Final Thoughts
You don’t need a lot to make meaningful art. One shell. One page. One moment. That’s enough.
The next time you feel overwhelmed by junk journaling tutorials, supply hauls, or Instagram perfection, remember this: your journal belongs to you. Let it be simple, let it be small, let it be soothing.
Start with a seashell, and see where it leads.
Gift Tags
Love These Printables? Support The Art Scavenger!
I love sharing free vintage printables, and if you enjoy them, there are easy ways to support my work so I can continue creating and offering more free designs:
You may also enjoy these free collage sheets.
Terms of use:
Free to use for personal or commercial projects. You may print the collage sheets as many times as you wish for your personal crafts or in your projects to sell, including: art journals, scrapbooks, junk journals, collage art, etc. You may not redistribute or sell the collage sheets “as is" in either print or digital form.
If you wish to share the files on your own website, please do not make the files available for download directly from your site. Instead, include an image with a link back to this site.
To the best of my knowledge, these are all royalty free images that are in the Public Domain in the US. However, you should always do your own research if you plan to use them commercially.
