I’m just going to say it…
I’m a true crime person. Some people think it's weird and I am OK with that.
I am the kind who watches the documentaries, listens to the podcasts, and falls down the rabbit hole of stories that make you pause and think, how does something like this even happen?
And I know…
Some people still think that’s a little strange.
But if you’re here, there’s a good chance you get it too.
Because for a lot of us, it’s not about anything dark or disturbing…
It’s about understanding.
It’s about curiosity.
It’s about the puzzle of it all.
But Here’s Where It Started to Bother Me…
The more I looked around at true crime products—especially in the crafting world—the more something felt off.
Everything seemed to focus on:
- The killers
- The shock factor
- The gore
- The “sensational” side of things
And I found myself thinking…
Why are we giving all the attention to the people who caused the harm?
Why are they the center of the story?
Because that’s not what draws me to true crime at all.
What I’m Actually Fascinated By
For me, true crime has always been about:
- The clues
- The timelines
- The tiny details that matter
- The investigators who piece it all together
- The stories that deserve to be remembered
It’s the process.
The quiet unraveling of a mystery.
The moments where something small suddenly makes everything click.
That’s the part that pulls me in.
So I Couldn’t Find It… I Started Creating It
I went looking for something different.
Something I could use in my own creative space that felt:
- Thoughtful instead of sensational
- Story-driven instead of shock-driven
- Focused on the case, not the criminal
And honestly?
I couldn’t find it.
So… you know me…
I started making it.
I began with Junk Journal Loaded Tags
My True Crime Junk Journal Series (A Different Approach)
This is where my true crime junk journal series came from.
Not to recreate anything graphic or unsettling…
But to create something intentional.
Inside what I’m designing, you’ll find things like:
- Case-style layouts
- Detective-inspired elements
- Clue cards and evidence-style tags
- Hidden paper clips and tucked-away details
- Timeline pages and story-building prompts
It’s layered. It’s interactive.
It’s thoughtful.
And it gives you space to explore a story… not just consume it.
I have added Hidden Paper Clips
Why This Matters to Me
I don’t want to highlight serial killers.
I don’t want to give more attention to people who have already taken too much.
What I do want is:
- To honor the stories
- To focus on the details that matter
- To bring attention to the investigative side
- To create something meaningful in a space that often isn’t
Because creativity doesn’t have to ignore hard things…
But it also doesn’t have to glorify them.
And Maybe This Is You Too…
If you’ve ever:
- Been fascinated by true crime but uncomfortable with how it’s presented
- Wanted something more thoughtful, less graphic
- Loved the idea of clues, timelines, and detective-style storytelling
- Enjoyed creating with a purpose, not just for decoration
Then this might be something you’ve been looking for too.
What I’m Working On Next
Right now, I’m building this into a full junk journal kit.
Something you can sit down with—iced coffee in hand—and slowly work through:
- Layer by layer
- Page by page
- Story by story
No pressure. No overwhelm.
Just a creative space to explore something you’re curious about… in a way that actually feels good.
If you are into True Crime like me, check out this Playlist, Canvas and Crime Chronicles on my Youtube. A series where I narrate a true crime story while I paint.
Final Thought (Because This Matters)
It’s okay to be interested in true crime.
It doesn’t make you or me strange.
It makes you curious.
It makes you thoughtful.
It means you’re someone who wants to understand the world a little more deeply.
And if we can bring that curiosity into a creative space…
And shape it into something intentional, respectful, and meaningful…
That’s where something really special starts to happen.
-teresa xo
1 comment
For me, it’s the psychology of the crime, especially with serial killers. So many people have gone through what they have and or worst and yet they aren’t serial killers. Why? What was the catalyst for these men to cause the harm and commit these heinous crimes? My heart hurts for the victims of Jack the Ripper. These women had nothing and are mere footnotes to the grisly crime that ended their lives. I often question if the police could have done a better job if they didn’t look down on these women. They were mothers, sisters, someone’s daughter, and the only note in history is how they were killed. I shake my head, as in all this time, nothing much has changed in how people of “lowly status” are looked down on by society in a whole.