Cassette Journals

 

The most popular type of journal I make are these cassette books. I find old cassettes and turn the liner notes into journals. They fit snugly back into the plastic case, thoroughly hiding their secret new purpose. 

The problem is finding good cassettes. Lately, they haven't been as available as they used to. I guess people learned that they don't really sell at tag sales or thrift shops, and they ended up in the trash. Either that, or maybe some avid cassette collectors have snatched up all the good ones to keep in the giant tape collection they have housed in their basement. 

The other problem is that I have amassed quite a collection of my own. I use the liner notes and cases, but I still have the actual cassettes. It feels wasteful to throw them away, so I keep them. What for? I have no idea. Perhaps I will come up with a use for them someday (vague images of an 80s themed party are floating through my head). 

♥ Jessica

Jessica's journals in my home

Here is a showcase of Jessica's journals that she has made for me.

 

She has made me a nice variety of sizes and shapes. Each has different kinds of paper to fit my needs.

This book has recycled paper that I use to keep track of my pottery sales.

This book I use as a traveling watercolor journal. It fits perfect in my purse.

I also use the books as a sketchbook and personal journal.

Thanks for taking a look at how I use Jessica's books. Thank-you Jessica for making me these beautiful journals. I treasure them:) 

Sarah

 

 

Camera Print Journals

My newest set of pamphlet journals features a camera and a roll of film. I'm a big film geek so I enjoyed carving this print. I think film is very nostalgic for people of a certain age, and even if you don't use film anymore, you may have fond memories of it.  Remember finding an exposed roll that you forgot about? Getting the prints back was like opening a hidden treasure.

 

 

These journals are 6 inches square and have watercolor paper inside. 

♥ Jessica

More Upcycled Journals

I finished four more "upcycled" journals this weekend. I also made a journal as a gift for a friend, and started a new project that I'm pretty excited about. I can't wait to finish so I can share it with you. Overall, I had a pretty productive weekend. I had been falling behind on my bookbinding goal, but I'm starting to get back on track and that's a good feeling.

Goals

"You never get anything done by planning."

-Karl Pilkington

Those words come into my head every time I try to make a plan. I can be a bit of a procrastinator, and solidifying goals usually gives me an excuse to avoid reaching them. "You never get anything done by planning" sounds like a silly statement, but I get it. 

The thing is, I NEED to plan if I am going to have enough books made for Renegade. It takes me a few days to complete a book, and I want a bountiful selection by the time Renegade rolls around next summer. I decided that I want to bring at least 150 books to the fair. That means if I average about three a week, I should meet my goal in plenty of time. There are going to be weeks that I make less than three, and weeks that I make more. I know that about myself. 

So without further ado, here are my first three books.

The first two are hardbound and full of fun recycled papers. The third book has a quarter leather binding, with hand-sewn headbands and is full of Canson art paper. 

I'm pleased that my first three books are done, and I'm happy with how they came out.  So, three down 147 to go.

♥ Jessica