rustico leather journals

These exquisite leather journals, in varying sizes, closures, and colors, are available from Rustico leather goods.

From their website:

Every one of our books receives personal attention, ensuring that only the highest quality is produced. We personally hand tear the paper, hand stitch the paper into the leather, and hand cut our leather. Our Creative Designer personally inspects the books before they are sold to ensure that they represent our finest work.

I especially covet the journal shown at the top, in gorgeous brown leather with hand-torn pages. I like the tab closure – I'm not too much a fan of a string closure as it tends to get in the way while the journal is in use.

Their website seems fairly new, but go check it out. Journal prices range from the $12 3.25" square 100-page Everyday Small Journal to the $20 3.25" square 96-page Quote Book (with hand-torn thicker paper) to the aforementioned lavish $75 Travel Journal.

Rustico seems like a great establishment. Their books would be perfect for chronicling a vacation or just to carry in a purse. Their photo albums are also worth checking out.

levenger

Levenger sells some beautiful "tools for serious readers." I first learned about them when I was on my index card kick, but since then I've switched to my Moleskine planner and my 3×5"s are sitting on a lonely corner of my desk.

As far as notebooks, journals, and planners go, this is definitely something to look into if you're all for high quality and don't mind paying a little extra. Almost everything they carry can be monogrammed for yourself or your company, which is cool.

Shown above (from top) are a composition notebook, their SwiftNotes system (too small, alas, to hold a pocket Moleskine), and their index card accordion folder in a gorgeous green leather.

Check them out. If you have Levenger stuff already, tell me what you think of it. I'm considering investing in a nice notebook or folio.

ciak notebooks at borders

Found these a couple months ago and snapped a picture on my cameraphone. They have various sizes, both colored and white paper inside, and as you can see they come in black, hot pink, turquoise, and medium blue (which is really pretty in person).

I like ’em.

kate’s paperie

Kate’s Paperie, the renowned New York stationery shop, has a lovely online catalogue and plenty of journals, notebooks, and sketchbooks to keep everyone happy during the holidays and beyond.

My favorites:

Beach lined journal: “Like a brightly striped beach chair! This everyday journal is covered in boldly striped canvas from France, making it stylish and durable-especially a la playa! Edges of canvas at top and bottom are slightly fringed, blank pages inside are cream colored.” Each of three patterns comes in two sizes (pictured). The “slim” journals are $30, the “medium” size $25.

Textured stripe journal: “Organize your thoughts and words in our elegant fabric-bound books from a small bindery in Germany. These stylish journals come in sumptuous textured stripes, with lined cream pages and a ribbon to mark your place.” They’re 6″x8″ and available in blue/yellow (shown), olive/rust, and green/lavender, $25 each.

Miquelrius bound journals: “Handy bound notebooks go with you anywhere! With a leather-look cover in red, blue or black, the pages come with either lined or graph paper.” They’re availble as 6″x8″ for $8 or 4″x6″ for $6. I have a small black graph-paged one, and the smooth soft cover is really delightful. Great for technical notes or sketches.

Watercolor journals: “Take along sketchbooks of handmade 100% heavyweight cotton watercolor paper with a deckle on all sides. The sturdy cover makes it perfect for the studio or en plein air.” At 50 pages each, these lovely sketchbooks are a good value for 6″x8.5″ for $23 and 8.5″x11″ for $30. I love the handmade look of the paper. It would probably be delicious to write on with a good fountain pen.

So that’s it for my Kate’s Paperie writeup! Gift wrap’s $5 and shipping’s $10ish, depending on how soon you need your new goodies. Buy something for your sweetheart, coworker, or family papersnob.

bookfactory

“At BookFactory we understand the importance of documenting your work, research and inventions.

Through innovation and technology we provide the highest quality books at economical prices without requiring large runs.

We specialize in making custom Laboratory Notebooks, Engineering Notebooks, Journals, and Log Books with custom page designs, company logos, book numbers, and more, for less than you pay today.”

Not only do they produce scientific lab notebooks, but also custom journals, blank books, sketchbooks, and “inventor’s books” (whatever those are). They do have a minimum order of 40, but the prices are very good and they have a variety of sizes and colors.

For non-custom work, prices are between $10 and $20 for most books. They appear to be very high-quality and might be a fun alternative for a tech-savvy journaler.