Post by Emily on Jan 26, 2007 0:32:47 GMT -5
Several have been asking what is a CJ and how does it work? I googled a lot of different sites and this is what I've come up with.
What's a Circle Journal?
For those who don't know, a Circle Journal (often referred to as "CJ") is an album created by you and contributed to by a group of people of your choosing. The completed album includes layouts by each person within the group and ties to a central theme.
How do you begin?
To start a CJ, you first need a group of participants. This might be members of your family, a group of local friends, or friends you've yet to meet (like online friends from a favorite scrapbook website). Once you've established your group, each participant selects the parameters for her own album - the format, size, and theme.
FORMAT: Most CJs tend to keep to a traditional scrapbook album format (hardcover album with space for layouts to be added). However, your CJ can be anything. Try a tag booklet - instead of layouts, individuals create tags, which are then added to a key ring. Or perhaps a recipe box format - each person creates an "index card" entry, which gets tucked into an altered box.
SIZE: Although you can use any size for your CJ, your format choice will factor into your size selection. Traditional scrapbook albums can be used for your CJ, with common sizes being 6x6, 8x8, 8.5x11, and 12x12. If your group membership resides locally, album dimensions are not a restriction. However, if your members live beyond commute distance - across the country or outside the United States - you might want to consider limiting album size to minimize shipping costs (we'll talk about shipping costs a little later).
THEME: Here's where the fun starts! Each person picks a theme for her CJ. It's okay if people duplicate themes within your group. Typically, however, each member selects something different. The themes you can choose from are limited only by your imagination. If you can think of it, you can create a CJ for it.
So THAT'S why they call it a "circle" journal!
After you've created the start of your CJ album, it's time to pass it throughout the group so that others can add their layouts (and you can add to theirs). A rotation order is determined within the group and that rotation remains the same until the CJ is complete. The group also agrees upon timing between handoffs. In my example, I use three weeks.
I will create a layout for person C's CJ (based on HER theme) and add it to her CJ. Participants have three weeks to add a layout to the CJ in their possession (following the instructions established by the CJ's owner).
Every three weeks, the CJ handoff is repeated. REMINDER: The rotation remains the same - I always handoff to person A, person A to person B, etc.
Eventually, person C will get my CJ and add her entry. Once she's done, the final handoff will bring my CJ back to me (and the other participants get back their CJs). Each CJ has completed a "full circle" throughout this "circle of friends" and is reunited with its owner. Thus, a CIRCLE journal!
Extra costs associated with CJs
Earlier, I mentioned cost of shipping CJs. If the participants don't live close enough to handoff CJs in person, then each person will have to mail the CJ at the end of each rotation. Keep in mind that the larger (and heavier) the CJ, the more costly it is to ship. This is why groups that require mailings may wish to limit the size of CJs. Also, the more people in the group, the higher the costs since you have more CJs to mail. Just be sure to consider shipping costs before committing to a CJ group whose members don't live locally.
Is it worth it all? You bet!
As you can see, CJs require some coordination, responsibility, and financial outlay.
Coordination - since many people are involved. You'll need to develop a workable schedule to handoff CJs...be sure to factor in shipping time.
Responsibility - since the CJ in your possession isn't yours. Each participant has entrusted you with an important item. You are expected to keep to the established schedule, maintaining communication if a problem should arise.
Financial - both for supplies and shipping. Feel free to use supplies from your stash. However, keep in mind that you'll want to use the same quality of products in the layouts you create, as you want others to incorporate into your CJ. And if your CJ members live in far-off places, you'll spend additional funds to mail each CJ.
However, the day your CJ returns "home", you'll realize just what a priceless treasure it is. Unlike most of your albums (which spotlight your work), this one is filled with incredible layouts and stories created by loved ones who comprise your "circle of friends". Each person has taken time to create a layout just for you. Treat your CJ as a custom-made idea book of inspiration...because that's exactly what it is. The money used to send it along its way and time marked as you anxiously awaited its return were investments well spent. So sit back and relish in your CJ of love. You deserve it.
All information above from One Scrappy Site
Also check out these sites:
Another Explanation of CJ's
CJ Examples
What's a Circle Journal?
For those who don't know, a Circle Journal (often referred to as "CJ") is an album created by you and contributed to by a group of people of your choosing. The completed album includes layouts by each person within the group and ties to a central theme.
How do you begin?
To start a CJ, you first need a group of participants. This might be members of your family, a group of local friends, or friends you've yet to meet (like online friends from a favorite scrapbook website). Once you've established your group, each participant selects the parameters for her own album - the format, size, and theme.
FORMAT: Most CJs tend to keep to a traditional scrapbook album format (hardcover album with space for layouts to be added). However, your CJ can be anything. Try a tag booklet - instead of layouts, individuals create tags, which are then added to a key ring. Or perhaps a recipe box format - each person creates an "index card" entry, which gets tucked into an altered box.
SIZE: Although you can use any size for your CJ, your format choice will factor into your size selection. Traditional scrapbook albums can be used for your CJ, with common sizes being 6x6, 8x8, 8.5x11, and 12x12. If your group membership resides locally, album dimensions are not a restriction. However, if your members live beyond commute distance - across the country or outside the United States - you might want to consider limiting album size to minimize shipping costs (we'll talk about shipping costs a little later).
THEME: Here's where the fun starts! Each person picks a theme for her CJ. It's okay if people duplicate themes within your group. Typically, however, each member selects something different. The themes you can choose from are limited only by your imagination. If you can think of it, you can create a CJ for it.
So THAT'S why they call it a "circle" journal!
After you've created the start of your CJ album, it's time to pass it throughout the group so that others can add their layouts (and you can add to theirs). A rotation order is determined within the group and that rotation remains the same until the CJ is complete. The group also agrees upon timing between handoffs. In my example, I use three weeks.
I will create a layout for person C's CJ (based on HER theme) and add it to her CJ. Participants have three weeks to add a layout to the CJ in their possession (following the instructions established by the CJ's owner).
Every three weeks, the CJ handoff is repeated. REMINDER: The rotation remains the same - I always handoff to person A, person A to person B, etc.
Eventually, person C will get my CJ and add her entry. Once she's done, the final handoff will bring my CJ back to me (and the other participants get back their CJs). Each CJ has completed a "full circle" throughout this "circle of friends" and is reunited with its owner. Thus, a CIRCLE journal!
Extra costs associated with CJs
Earlier, I mentioned cost of shipping CJs. If the participants don't live close enough to handoff CJs in person, then each person will have to mail the CJ at the end of each rotation. Keep in mind that the larger (and heavier) the CJ, the more costly it is to ship. This is why groups that require mailings may wish to limit the size of CJs. Also, the more people in the group, the higher the costs since you have more CJs to mail. Just be sure to consider shipping costs before committing to a CJ group whose members don't live locally.
Is it worth it all? You bet!
As you can see, CJs require some coordination, responsibility, and financial outlay.
Coordination - since many people are involved. You'll need to develop a workable schedule to handoff CJs...be sure to factor in shipping time.
Responsibility - since the CJ in your possession isn't yours. Each participant has entrusted you with an important item. You are expected to keep to the established schedule, maintaining communication if a problem should arise.
Financial - both for supplies and shipping. Feel free to use supplies from your stash. However, keep in mind that you'll want to use the same quality of products in the layouts you create, as you want others to incorporate into your CJ. And if your CJ members live in far-off places, you'll spend additional funds to mail each CJ.
However, the day your CJ returns "home", you'll realize just what a priceless treasure it is. Unlike most of your albums (which spotlight your work), this one is filled with incredible layouts and stories created by loved ones who comprise your "circle of friends". Each person has taken time to create a layout just for you. Treat your CJ as a custom-made idea book of inspiration...because that's exactly what it is. The money used to send it along its way and time marked as you anxiously awaited its return were investments well spent. So sit back and relish in your CJ of love. You deserve it.
All information above from One Scrappy Site
Also check out these sites:
Another Explanation of CJ's
CJ Examples
