TL;DR version: A glue book is a type of art journal where images, words, and other materials are glued onto a page to create a collage. It’s a simple yet versatile art form that allows for self-expression and creativity. Here we’re going to nerd out a bit to explore the origins, components, purpose and different styles of glue books to find out more of the nitty gritty about them.
The origins of glue books
The concept of glue books, also known as art journals, scrapbooks or visual journals, dates back to ancient times. In the Middle Ages, monks would create illuminated manuscripts by hand, embellishing pages with illustrations, calligraphy, and gold leaf. These manuscripts were not only a form of artistic expression but also a way of preserving important texts and knowledge for future generations.
As time passed, the practice of keeping a visual record of one’s life continued. In the 19th century, scrapbooks became popular among the general public. Busy housewives would collect and paste images and quotes from magazines onto pages in their free time, creating an early form of glue books. These scrapbooks were not only a way to pass the time but also a way to document important events and memories, and even remember the name of that nifty product you saw in a magazine that you wanted to look at or buy later!
Early forms of glue books
The 20th century saw the evolution of glue books into a more artistic form. Artists such as Pablo Picasso started keeping a type of art or sketch journal known as a “carnet” (one famous example is his Carnet Californie). This was a portable notebook filled with sketches, ideas, and musings that they would carry with them everywhere they went, not only to capture ideas but also a way to experiment with different techniques and materials.
Other artists, such as Henri Matisse and Kurt Schwitters, created collages using found objects and scraps of paper; Schwitters in particular became very well known for his collages, which he called “Merz pictures.” This led to the evolution of glue books as we know them today. Glue books are now extremely popular in art, craft and general hobbyist circles as a way to nurture skills or just encourage and develop self expression.
The evolution of glue books
Glue books have come a long way since their humble beginnings. Today, they are not only a way to document important events and memories but also a way to express yourself creatively. With the rise of social media platforms such as Instagram and Pinterest, glue books have become even more popular, with people sharing their creations online for inspiration and motivation – and in fact you could argue that platforms like that are essentially “digital glue books” for the online age!
Glue books can be used to explore different themes, such as travel, nature, or personal growth. They can also be used as a form of journaling therapy, helping individuals to express their emotions and process their thoughts. Some people even use glue books as a way to plan and organize their lives, creating pages dedicated to goals, to-do lists, and schedules; bullet journals are one of the most popular and well-known incarnations of this style.
Components of a Glue Book
Before you start your own glue book, it’s important to understand the basic components that go into making one.
Choosing a glue book base
The first step in creating a glue book is choosing the right base. This can be a blank notebook, a sketchbook, or even a recycled book that you modify to suit your needs. It’s important that the pages are sturdy enough to handle the weight of the materials you will be gluing onto them. Don’t go for that nifty antique tome you found for cheap without suitable thought, as it may just fall apart! Remember also that most glue books become quite thick because of the addition of materials to each page, so you might want something that has flexible binding, or that you can just easily remove some pages or signatures from so you don’t end up with something that’s near-impossible to store.
Adhesives for glue books
The next step is to choose the right adhesive – the sticky stuff! There are many types of adhesives that can be used in glue books, including glue sticks, double-sided tape, and even liquid glue. Make sure to choose an adhesive that is acid-free to prevent damage to the materials over time. It’s also worth remembering that not all glue is created equal – the cheap discount stuff may work mostly okay in the short term but I find it often doesn’t go as far and doesn’t stick as well as something you might spend a little bit more on. Personally I recommend good ol’ fashioned brand Pritt Stick if you can afford it!
Glue book tools and materials
There are a few essential bits and bobs you will need to get started, including scissors, a ruler, a pencil, and some “stuff” to glue onto your pages. The “stuff” can be basically anything; magazine cut outs, photographs, stickers, washi tape, whatever! Think outside the box and see if you can use other things like scraps of fabric, ribbons, or even dried flowers, to add texture and interest to your pages.
The purpose of a glue book
The beauty of glue books is that they can be used for all kinds of purposes. Whether you’re looking for a way to express your creativity, capture memories, or simply de-stress and unwind, there’s a type and style of glue book that will do the job for you.
Creative expression
Glue books are a great way to express your creativity and experiment with different styles and techniques. You can create pages around specific themes, mix and match with colours and/or textures, or just go totally wild and see what your imagination makes.
Memory keeping or organisation
Glue books are also a fantastic way to document things and preserve memories. You can create pages around specific events or simply document your daily life. Some people use glue books to memorialise loved ones or pets who have passed away. You could even use them to collect images you just like to look at; fashion, food, cute animals, or pretty much anything else. Glue books can even be practical if you combine them with functional elements like recipes or financial planning, and can make something normally seen as an organisational chore into something more entertaining and fun.
Stress relief and mindfulness
Finally, glue books can be a great way to de-stress and practice mindfulness. Creating art has been shown to have numerous health benefits, including reducing stress and anxiety and improving mood; and that’s any type of art, which includes something as simple and accessible as glue books. A lot of people also like the collecting aspect of glue books, always watching for eye-catching pieces to add to an existing theme or spark a new page idea, which is a nice way to start literally “looking” at the world in a more creative and positive way.
Different styles of glue books
There are pretty much endless styles and types of glue books, depending on what you’re looking to achieve and how you want to feel while you make yours. Here are some of the most popular types.
Themed glue books
Themed glue books focus on specific topics or subjects. For example, you could create a travel-themed glue book to document your adventures, or a gratitude-themed glue book to focus on the things you’re thankful for.
Abstract glue books
Abstract glue books are all about exploring colour, texture, and form. You can experiment with different materials and techniques to create unique and visually stunning pages that are also fun to run your fingers across (and the sensory variation can be fab for non-neurotypical folks to enjoy too)!
Mixed media glue books
Mixed media glue books combine different art forms and techniques, such as painting, drawing, and collage. They can be a fun way to experiment with different mediums and push your creativity to the next level, and are often called scrapbooks or (ta-da, we got there in the end!) junk journals, depending on how you approach them (and what you’d prefer to call them, frankly, as the rules are far from hard and fast).
Get started on your own glue book
Now that we’ve nosed around the history and basics of various incarnations of glue books, you can feel all smart and snazzy and super-informed when you go to start your own. Remember, the most important thing is to have fun and let your creativity flow. Whether you’re using your glue book as a form of self-care, a way to document your life, or simply as a creative outlet, glue books, scrapbooks, junk journals and all the various other types offer endless possibilities for expression and fun. See what you feel like sticking down first!
