A Simple Way to Organize Your Ephemera
If you love making journals, collecting ephemera, or simply finding ways to keep your paper crafting supplies organized, you’re going to want to try making an accordion envelope pocket. They’re simple to make, incredibly versatile, and one of those projects that can be adapted to whatever you have on hand. And the best part? You can use any size envelopes and as many envelopes as you like!
Make It With What You Have
One of the things I love most about this project is that there really aren’t many rules. Use small envelopes for tiny bits of ephemera or larger envelopes when you have bigger pieces to store. You can use just a few envelopes or keep adding envelopes to create as much storage as you need. It’s also a great project for using up envelopes you already have in your stash. Don’t worry if they’re different colours or patterns either—this is a perfect opportunity to mix and match! The only requirement is that they are all the same size.
In the video, I walk you through how I put one together and share some of the ways I’m using mine. You’ll find the video towards the end of this post.
So Many Ways to Use an Accordion Pocket
These pockets are especially handy for junk journals, but they certainly don’t have to stay inside a journal. You can use them to hold:
- Ephemera and memorabilia
- Photos and journaling cards
- Coupons and receipts
- Scraps of patterned paper
- Die cuts and embellishments
- Tickets, postcards and other travel memories
- Bits and pieces you’re saving for a future project
I especially love using them when I’m travelling. I tend to collect all sorts of little bits and pieces along the way—tickets, brochures, receipts, business cards, maps and other memorabilia. Rather than letting everything get lost in the bottom of my bag, I can tuck it into an accordion pocket and keep everything together. Then when I get home, I have all those little memories ready to add to a journal, scrapbook or other project.
A Great Project for Crafting on the Go
Accordion envelope pockets are also useful before you even start making your journal. When I’m working on a journal, I often have a pile of scraps, ephemera and other bits that I want to use but don’t necessarily know where they’ll go yet. An accordion pocket gives all those pieces a home. You can create sections for different types of ephemera, different pages of your journal, or simply use each pocket as a little holding spot for things you want to consider later. And because the finished pocket is easy to tuck into a craft bag or tote, it’s a great way to organize your supplies when you’re working away from your craft room.
My Finish-It Challenge Project
In the video, I’m using one of these accordion envelope pockets in my Snippets of 2023 project to hold my Christmas photos. This is one of the projects I’m working on as part of my Finish-It Challenge, where I’m tackling some of those unfinished projects that have been sitting around waiting for their turn.
Watch the Video
In the video, I’ll show you how to create the accordion envelope pocket and how I’m incorporating it into my Snippets of 2023 project.
I hope this gives you another idea for something you can make with supplies you already have on hand. Whether you’re making a journal, organizing your craft supplies, saving travel memories or simply looking for a fun way to use up some envelopes, these little accordion pockets are incredibly useful.
If you’re working along with my Finish-It Challenge, maybe this is the perfect little project to add to your list—or a solution for organizing one of the projects you’re already trying to finish.
Until next time,
Leave a Reply