Stock exchange
About a week ago this fabulous journal caught my eye in an etsy treasury, such a funky imaginative take on a traditional journal had me itching to buy - but I’ve been banned from spending money as our imminent visitor will mean I won’t be working for a while. So I screwed up my courage and decided to be a little cheeky. I approached the bookbinder of www.paperfetish.etsy.com - Cheri Ucci with the suggestion of an exchange. Well unsurprisingly she was unwilling to part with this little gem, but she did get right back to me with the suggestion of a custom swap.
My desire was for an inspiring design journal - somewhere to jot down ideas, sketch out designs and work on technical pattern development - her’s was even more broad, a collaged piece of jewelry, steampunk inspired, but essential whatever I was inpired to make - who could ask for more freedom?
I spent an enjoyable day playing with a variety of metals and collage items before mailing off her unique piece, and a little bonus item, my fingers firmly crossed that she would love it. Just a few days later my box came in the mail - far too big to be a simple journal. I riffled through the packaging to find not 1, not 2, but 3 exquisite hand stitched coptic bound journals, all in starkly dramatic black white and red.
My design journal which combines plain, lined and graph paper to meet all my design needs is edged in red, while 
a long slim black edged volume contains luxuriously thick leaves for me to write my more personal thoughts - and I hope one day pass on to my unborn daughter, last but not least a smaller square notebook with hand ripped pages gives me a scribble book to throw in my handbag for those ideas on the run, lists and doodles that I need to accompany me everywhere.
Cheri has a beautiful selection of journals in her shop - but it doesn’t end there - pages upon pages of her creations are on her flickr and she creates custom designs to your tastes and needs at the drop of a hat - Thanks again Cheri!
2 years ago