So today I finished the customer order for the large size sketchbook. Things went pretty seamlessly on the actual journal. I encountered none of the issues I had with the smaller size and the other journal I made. I reinforced the spine with tyvek AND 80lb drawing paper. I then used eyelets for added strength and durability. I love how it looks. It’s also very hefty. 9×11 inches is a big sketchbook. It has 144 pages in 9 signatures. Hopefully the woman who ordered it is as happy with the results as I am.

Here are some pics:
The last 2 are of the cover and the eyelets without any pages or anything else.
The rest are of the finished product.

I just put this journal up on eBay

It is a 9 signature 180 page journal with light blue strathmore paper. The spine is reinforced with tyvek and I used eyelets to reinforce the station along the holes. I used my typical envelope flap and thong for the closure. I used an alternating long stitch forthe spine. The sewing is done in natural linen.

The leather is black and pebbly textured. I used a lightweight hand made marbled paper for the inside. The leather is soft and wonderfully textured.

If Iwere to put this up on the website it would be priced in the $24 to $29 range.

Check itout on eBay

I managed to get many things finished this morning. I had my business stationary printed and I was going to get the cards printed but they didn’t have the color paper I wanted. In fact the color I wanted my stationary printed on was no longer available. I had it printed on a mottled dark ivory color, which was almost close enough. They had no card stock so I headed to several stores to find the color I wanted. No one had it. So I went to Michaels and found only 3 sheets in a similar color. So I bought a couple of sheets in a color that can only be described as coffee colored. After I had printed out the kraft and coffee color, I liked the coffee color better.

I printed the cards cut 3 of 4 edges and hand tore the other edge, so it has what looks like a deckled edge. The cards are pretty basic but enjoyable. As for the stationary, there isn’t anything special about it, same information as the cards, just on a full sheet.

Instead of going to have the stationary printed I’m going to see if I can find a ream of kraft colored paper, or kraft sheets and just print it off myself.

Not exactly bookbinding related but, it’ related to eBay sales and all that fun stuff. I managed to snag a ton of little sheets of bubble wrap from work. Not to worry, I’m re-using not stealing. They came on these cute little vases I ordered for the store. I had saved a few of them before and they were the perfect size for wrapping books for shipping. So I saved ALL 24 sheets this time. I don’t’ know where I’m going to store them, but I’ll store them somewhere. Shipping supplies are always good to have on had. Speaking of that, I need to pick up 2 sizes of Ziploc Baggies and envelopes. I’ve been using the giant manila envelopes my Mom gave me- she gave me a dozen or so of these giant 10 by 14 inch envelopes. When I ran out of the “normal” size I started to use them, thinking I’d only use one or two. Yeah right! I’ve used most of them. I have 2 left. I’ve done a lot of shipping in the last 2 weeks.

I’ve cut and folded all the paper for the large size sketchbook I’m making. Today I’m going to cut the leather to size and get it ready for backing. I haven’t heard from the lady who is purchasing the book so I don’t know what style of inside she would like. I wanted to have most of the book done today so that I could ship by Tuesday. I feel like this project has taken too long. I like to have a turn around that is a little speedier. I like to get all the discussion and design work done in week one and week 2 should be spent making the book and sourcing materials. This project has taken closer to 3 weeks and I want to get it done.

I’d like to make a form so that people can fill it out and really let me know what kind of journal they like, but it seems so impersonal. I like the personalized emails or phone conversations that get the heart of what someone wants. They let the person interested know I’m a real person and I think it gives people a little more value in the finished book. There are always those people who want something less personal but still handmade.

The other thing I need to work on is my business cards and perhaps stationary. I used to have it, and I think it would be good to print off everything on Comfortable Shoes Studio stationary and to be able to include business cards with everything. I used to do that, and it was great if people were giving the books as gifts. So I need to work on that today too. (As well as clean the house and studio- mess mess mess!)

This is also of my new stock line of journals. I think that I like this one most of all. I think that i like the non-alternating pattern on the spine better. Mostly because it makes a thick chunky mass of black on the spine.

It is also on eBay
HERE!

I had decided some time ago to create a “stock” line of journals. Journals that take me less time to sew and therefore less expensive than my custom or more artistic creations. This is the first in the line. I rahter like it. the sewing is simple, more easily sewn than others, but still decorative enough that I’m not embarassed to have it up here. It’s a very functional journal.

It’s posted on eBay here:Stock Journal #1