Over the years, we've amassed a vast collection of reader-submitted tricks of the trade, many of which we've published in our popular Swipe File column or on our website. We thought now would be the perfect time to re-introduce this department and invite readers to share their best timesaving, budget-friendly tips and techniques. Here's one of our favorites from Bonnie Rodgers, who saved herself a nice chunk of change with a bit of grit and ingenuity:

Recently, while preparing for a plein air journey, I searched for a journal of the right size for my art travel bag. I wanted one that had 140-lb., cold-pressed paper. Local stores only allowed me a 90-lb. version. So, I looked on the internet and found a journal maker, but she was having trouble finding the right glue to adhere to the heavier paper. I tried to make my own from leather, watercolor paper and binding thread, but due to my limited time and knowledge, I gave up on that idea.

Then I came up with the solution: different-sized photo albumns that I could populate with watercolor paper, cut to the size of the albumns' sleeves or smaller. I found I could also extend the book size by adding larger spine pins to accommodate more sleeves. It worked wonderfully! I could paint on any size (as long as it was smaller than the paper I had brought with me). I could also collect tickets and memorabilia for future use and memory ticklers in the photo sleeves. On days when I needed to reduce the weight I was carrying, I could undo the spine screw pins and take pages out.
 
The best thing of all was that I saved myself about $125. Journals with enough pages, the proper paper weight, and the right-sized paper for sketching and journaling, with a sturdy binding that would hold up to rigorous use cost about $150 to $200, when available. Photo albums cost $7.50 to $15 and one sheet of 140-lb. watercolor paper costs $7.99. Each sheet of watercolor paper allowed me to cut several pages of 3x5-inch, 4x6-inch, and 6x8-inch journal pages for three different-sized journals. This idea will serve me well for all my plein air journeys.


Thanks Bonnie!

Send a description of your method and a photo or JPEG (with a resolution of 300 dpi) illustrating a tip or technique to wcamag@fwmedia.com for your chance to see your bright ideas in print, on our site or in our e-newsletter. Who knows? Your idea might be just the thing that a fellow artist needs to find his or her way back to the easel.