Beginner Hidden Paperclip Embellishments

Beginner Hidden Paperclip Tutorial

If you’re looking for an easy way to add a little extra interest to your junk journals, this hidden paperclip embellishment is a fun project to try.

The hidden paperclip looks decorative from the outside, but the paperclip itself is cleverly tucked behind the embellishment, making it easy to attach to journal pages, pockets, tags and other elements.

This simple junk journal embellishment is perfect for beginners because it requires very few supplies and can be made in just a few minutes. It’s also a great way to use up pieces of scrapbook paper, book pages, patterned paper and other small pieces of ephemera.

In this tutorial, I’ll show you how to make a hidden paperclip embellishment for your junk journals, including how to attach the paperclip and some ideas for decorating and using your finished junk journal embellishment.

How to Make a Junk Journal Hidden Paperclip Embellishment for Beginners

Supplies

Printable Ephemera
Paperclips
Printer
Cardstock 110lb
Bone Folder
Gluesticks
Double sided tape 1/2″, Double sided tape 1/4″, Double sided tape 1/8″
Cutting Mat
Rotary Cutter
Ruler
Distress Ink
Ink pad applicator

Cut your Printables in No Time at all

What Is a Hidden Paperclip Embellishment?

A hidden paperclip is a decorated paperclip where the metal clip is concealed behind a paper or cardstock embellishment.

Unlike a traditional decorated paperclip, where the paperclip is clearly visible, the hidden version creates a more seamless embellishment. When it is attached to a journal page, you see the decorative element rather than the paperclip itself.

You can make hidden paperclips in almost any style to coordinate with your junk journal theme. Try vintage images, botanical illustrations, butterflies, labels, postage stamps, tickets, flowers, word snippets, or small pieces of ephemera.

The finished embellishment can be clipped over the edge of a page or attached to another journal element, creating a simple interactive detail.

Choosing Your Embellishment

The decorative part of your hidden paperclip can be almost any shape.

For a vintage junk journal, you could use:

a vintage portrait
a botanical illustration
a butterfly
a flower
a postage stamp
a vintage label
a ticket
a small journal card
a butterfly or bird
a tiny envelope
a vintage advertisement
a small collage of several of these elements layered one on top of each other

If you’re making several at once, choose a variety of shapes and sizes. This gives you a collection of small embellishments that can be added to different pages throughout your journal.

You can also use printable junk journal ephemera to make the process even easier. Simply print the images, cut them out and use them as the decorative layer.

How to Make a Hidden Paperclip

There’s no right or wrong way to make these hidden paperclip embellishments. Start by cutting out a piece of cardstock to use for the background. This piece folds over the top of the page. I’m using this neutral colored cardstock that I printed out.

You can cut this piece in any size. I’ve started with a piece 2.5″ wide by 6″ long.

Also cut another piece of plain cardstock that is slightly smaller. This is the piece where the paperclip attaches and will be glued to the inside of the background piece.

Fold both pieces over and press in half using a bone folder. Attach the paperclip over the folded edge of the plain piece of cardstock.

I’m using a large paperclip, but you could also use a small one if that’s all you have on hand.

Apply some glue the outsides of the paperclip section and glue to the underisde of the background section.

Select a few pieces of ephemera to embellish the background. I like to overlay several pieces to make little layered collages, but you could use one or two pieces if you prefer.

Once you’re happy with the arrangement, glue the pieces to the background. Then do the other side in the same way.

To use the embellishment, slip it over the top edge of your journal page, and the paperclip does all the work by keeping it from slipping off.

How to Use Hidden Paperclips in a Junk Journal

There are lots of ways to use a hidden paperclip embellishment.

Clip It Onto a Journal Page

The simplest option is to slide the paperclip over the edge of a journal page.

This creates a decorative tab that can also be moved around whenever you want.

Attach It to a Pocket

Use the paperclip to decorate the edge of a pocket. You could coordinate the embellishment with the ephemera stored inside the pocket.

Add It to a Journal Card

A hidden paperclip can be used to attach a small decorative element to a larger journal card.

This is particularly useful when you want to create layers without permanently gluing everything together.

Use It as a Page Marker

Because the embellishment can easily be moved, it can also work as a decorative page marker.

Make several different designs and move them throughout your journal as you work on different pages.

Create a Cluster

Use the hidden paperclip as part of a larger junk journal cluster.

Layer it with scraps of book paper, fabric, labels, tickets and other ephemera to create a dimensional decorative element.

Ideas for Different Junk Journal Themes

One of the easiest ways to make your hidden paperclips look cohesive is to design them around the theme of your journal.

Vintage Junk Journal
Use antique photographs, postage stamps, handwriting, old labels and muted paper scraps.

Botanical Junk Journal
Try flowers, leaves, botanical illustrations, seed packets and vintage garden labels.

Victorian Junk Journal
Use portraits, ornate frames, handwritten letters, lace and vintage typography.

Nature Junk Journal
Birds, butterflies, mushrooms, leaves and natural-history illustrations make wonderful paperclip embellishments.

Christmas Junk Journal
Create festive paperclips using vintage Christmas images, ornaments, holly, stars and seasonal ephemera.

Tips for Making Hidden Paperclips

Keep the embellishment lightweight.
Too many layers can make the paperclip difficult to use and can add unnecessary bulk to your journal.

Use sturdy paper for the backing.
Cardstock or heavier paper will help your embellishment last longer.

Make several at once.
Once you’ve made one, it’s easy to create a small collection of coordinating paperclips.

Use your scraps.
This is a great project for using small pieces of leftover paper and ephemera that might otherwise be discarded.

Experiment with different shapes.
Don’t limit yourself to rectangles. Try circles, ovals, tags, flowers, butterflies and other simple silhouettes.

Let the theme guide your design.
Choose colours and imagery that complement the papers and ephemera already in your junk journal.

Make Your Junk Journal More Interactive

Small embellishments such as hidden paperclips are an easy way to add more interest to a junk journal without making the project complicated.

They can be decorative, functional or both. You can use them to attach ephemera, create movable page markers, decorate pockets or simply add another layer to your journal pages.

Best of all, they’re quick to make and can be customised to suit almost any junk journal theme.

If you’re new to junk journaling, this is a great beginner project to add to your list. Once you’ve made one, try experimenting with different shapes, papers and decorative elements to create your own collection of DIY junk journal embellishments.

More Junk Journal Ideas

If you enjoy making your own junk journal embellishments, there are plenty of simple projects you can try using paper scraps and printable ephemera.

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Beginner Hidden Paperclip Embellishment