The mini journals are approx. 4"x4" size. These are my first run, first time making this type of journal. As part of the functional art guidelines I have, this journal should be user friendly and yet be a work of art. So I took a regular size paper and divided it into thirds, like folding it to put into a business size envelope. The paper used is a handmade faux dark brown leather, it's one of my favorites! Then I played with a few ideas of paper combinations until something suited me. Now, what kind of lacing? I had some black leather cord I knew to use, and decided on trying a zig zag formation, like three mountain peaks. Played with that a bit, I was smart this time and made a template of how to measure the holes to punch and to figure out the lacing. I secured the lacing by using a crimp tube for necklace making on the back of each journal. Who knew I would actually use some geometry in my art projects, I really did use my protractor for the template! (Draftsman I'm not, but I can get by). Gold parchment paper was used for the pages, and I hand cut all sheets. As the booklet was forming, I felt like it needed a real leather border, so I got some of the Tandy leather scraps bag with black leather. Experimented a bit with measuring leather strips and got a leather border glued on each of the three journals. This is one area I will do a little different on the next set of journals. I like the look, but my gluing skills are a little rough. As a result, the inside covers with the leather borders looked rough, so I added a silk paper liner inside to cover up the leather gluing process. Figured that was a smart move on my part, LOL!!
Now for some pictures showing the process of creating the paper journals and binding:
Next post, the choosing of the beads and theme of each journal!
