Calendar-Making: Tools, Tips & Materials

A few tips to help you make your own calendar

Dec 09, 2024

December: CALENDARS

Hello makers,

In the coming weeks I’ll be sharing beautiful art ideas that you can use to inspire your calendar-making. But today, I want to share a few practical tips and tools to help you get started creating your very own personalised calendar.

One of the first things to think about is how you want to use your calendar. Will it be to track your days and the daily activities of your friends or family? Will it be a personal way to plan your goals and celebrate the big (or little!) moments? Or even just an excuse to have a little bit of art on your work desk. However you choose to use your calendar, making your own is a great way to infuse your creativity into something you’ll use every day. It’s also a great daily visual reminder of your values!

1. Choose Your Format

Think about what kind of calendar you want to create based on how you want to use it. Here are a few common formats for calendars:

Wall Calendar: A large, visual piece with monthly layouts. I’ve never had success using one of these but maybe it’s because I’m better seeing just one or two months at a time to curb the feeling of overwhelm! Or maybe it’s because the office supplies shop always has big ugly ones rather than ones like these from WiLaNo!
Desk Calendar: Compact and functional. Creating a little desk calendar would be perfect for those who feel pushed for time but want to create a little piece of art each month.
Planner: A book-style format combining a calendar with space for notes and lists. Last year I made my own un-dated planner that I added a quilted cover to (inspired by Sarah Ruiz’s quilted postcards). I then used coptic stitching (after my bookbinding class) to bind it together:
My homemade, un-dated planner
Perpetual Calendar: Focuses on special dates, like birthdays or anniversaries, and can be reused year after year. I once had an un-dated calendar that I never wrote on because I wanted to use it year after year just because I liked the art on it!

2. Tools and Materials

Paper:

It’s pretty unusual to have a calendar that is not made from some sort of cardstock or heavyweight paper. But I would love to see someone think outside the box on this!

Binding:

This is where you can get creative! After our month of making notebooks I now know there are so many super cool bookbinding techniques that could be applied to making a calendar. Or you could use a hole punch and binder rings or a stapler depending on your calendar format.

Templates:

Programs like Canva, Adobe InDesign, or even Google Docs make layout creation easy.

Stamps and Stencils: If you are like me and don’t have the most beautiful handwriting, try getting a little calendar stamp or stencil to do the job for you.
Cute little Midori self-inking calendar stamps - https://www.bookbindersdesign.com.au/products/midori-stamp-self-inking-calendar

4. Extra Tips:

Start with a Plan or Don’t! This might depend on your personality but I’m usually that person who likes to know what I’m doing before I start. Usually thought things don’t go to plan and that is when the magic happens! If you are like me, let yourself be taken to new places and don’t stress over the imperfections.
Test Your Supplies: If you’re using markers or paints, it can be a good idea to check how they react with your chosen paper. Again though, unexpected beauty can come from just experimenting and going for it!
Give Yourself Time: Depending on what you have in mind, give yourself the time and space (if you can) to be creative. If you need to, take a whole month to create one month of the calendar at a time. If you don’t have space where you live, try going to a local library or cafe to get creative. Sometimes I find a new environment actually helps me think differently.

And Finally, Why Are We Doing This?

Well, I think a handmade calendar isn’t just a practical item—it’s a reflection of you. It’s a way to express your creativity, set the tone for your year, and craft something truly unique. Plus, it’s a great way to step away from screens and connect with your tactile, artistic side. I’ll be sharing more on the mental health and wellbeing benefits of being creative soon.

If you’re having a go at this months project, I’d love to see what you create! Share your designs and progress with the Seek to Make community—tag me or reply to this post. Let’s inspire each other to start the new year with creativity and intention.

Happy making!

Esta