Journal Cover

[particle]

Here is my first and second attempts at a journal cover. The first came out a tad small (won't close completely on its own), so I made some adjustments and built another. What do you think? I need to take better pictures so the colors show more accurately, but this is all I have to share at the moment.

This one came out much darker than I planned, but I'm overall pretty happy with it.

[Rohn]

I like them. The stitching on the second one looks real good. Did you do it by hand?

[particle]

Thanks - all sewn on my Boss.

[Luke Hatley]

Fine looking Journal covers......

[OdinUK]

Those are nicely made journal covers. How did you get the multi-tone dye effect, was it airbrushed?

[Tinneal]

Those are beautiful! I love the stitching, and the colour on both of them. What kind of leather did you use on the second one? I love the contrast of the two textures. I would also like to know how you achieved the two-tone colour effect.

[particle]

Here is another one I just finished last night. Back to holsters now!

The first one I posted was cut from 5-6 oz Herman Oak. The other two (this one included) was from one of the cheap hides Tandy had on sale recently - it's 4-5 oz. I normally airbrush everything I do. But, for these I wanted a little more mottled effect. I got a lot of inspiration from SojournerLeather, but sadly, they seem to no longer be in business since I can't find any current presence on the internet for them. I believe they use the block dyeing method to color their journals (so the tooling will remain light). I didn't have a block handy, so I experimented with other methods. I suck at applying dye with any method other than an airbrush - lack of experience I guess. All three journals in this thread were colored the same way. I took a piece of canvas about 6" square, folded it up, then dipped one end in Fiebing's Pro Oil dye - Light Brown. Then, I applied it in a circular motion for the first coat. The second coat was applied left to right, and the third up & down. Honestly, I probably put too much dye on this way, but at the time it didn't seem like there was much dye on the canvas I was using. Once that was done, I took the same piece of canvas and dipped it in Dark Brown (Fiebing's Pro Oil), blotted it on a paper towel, then dabbed it on randomly around the edges and fold locations. I followed this with a coat of Neetsfoot oil. I'm not sure if it was the leather, or the application method, but I had a LOT of color rub off - so much that it discolored the thread considerably. But, in the end I think it added to the character of the finished piece.

[Tinneal]

That one is even nicer than the other two!! Simply amazing!! I am going to be making a bible cover for my uncle, sometime in the future. I think I may make the front similar to your third one, if you don't mind?

[particle]

Thanks! And feel free to mimic the design for your friend's bible cover. Originally, I intended to make it look a little different (much more simple). But, I made a few mistakes along the way and had to cover them up - the final design evolved out of those mistakes. Not sure if I like the final version better than my original design...

Here is another photo that shows the color a little better.

Edited December 13, 2011 by particle

[BondoBobCustomSaddles]

Nice work Particle! I like the way you have your patterns planned out, and the way they go together with the colors, and stitching as accent. Well done, nice professional look.

Bob

[particle]

Thanks Bob!

[abn]

Beautiful work. I think the designs, the colors, and especially the decorative stitching turned out really nice.

p.s. I'm also disappointed that Sojourner Leather has disappeared... For a while, they were producing really unique and fresh designs in a rustic style, accentuated by Argentine "cincelado" stamp work...

Edited December 16, 2011 by abn

[particle]

Thanks ABN. I wish I knew where to buy the unique stamps Sojourner had. They're unlike any other! They'd mentioned maybe putting together a tutorial showing their process, but I guess they never did. I can't find any information showing what they sold their covers for. Seems like the going rate is around $40 on the internet, but you can't include a $20 Moleskine for that price.

Anyone have any suggestion for what to charge for something like I've posted here?

[BondoBobCustomSaddles]

Thanks ABN. I wish I knew where to buy the unique stamps Sojourner had. They're unlike any other! They'd mentioned maybe putting together a tutorial showing their process, but I guess they never did. I can't find any information showing what they sold their covers for. Seems like the going rate is around $40 on the internet, but you can't include a $20 Moleskine for that price.

Anyone have any suggestion for what to charge for something like I've posted here?

Particle, I can only tell you what I do. I charge a set $per Hr, plus material cost. If they want it, that's what they pay, otherwise, I just won't do it. If you have 2 1/2 hrs in one then you charge accordingly. For instance, 2 1/2 hrs @ $30 /hr plus $20 for material equals $95. If it's a close friend or some special reason to, you can discount it, but; don't sell yourself short, your labor is worth it.

Bob

[Chavez]

Hi!

Sorry to bring up such an old post, but how do I get such nice brown colour as on these notebook covers?

Thanks!

Chavez.

[particle]

Hi Chavez - refer to post #7 above in this thread. I tried to describe how I colored them in that post.

BondoBob - sorry I never replied to your post. You made a good suggestion on how to price stuff and I appreciate the input. Your $95 seems right on - just not sure something like this warrants that kind of price....? That's more than I'd charge for a holster, which is considerably more labor intensive. On the flip-side, my wife keeps telling me I need to charge more for my holsters, but I feel like I'm already fairly inline with what other makers are charging...

[Chavez]

Thanks!

Did not realise the answer was right there =)

[BondoBobCustomSaddles]

Particle, that's funny, your wife sounds just like mine! She is always saying the same thing to me. Usually, I will skin the price down a little if it is someone I know well or a repeat customer, but; that is always where I start. As for my wife, on the other hand she is a quilter and I wouldn't even begin to tell her how to price her stuff, she is always giving it away! Go figure!!!

Regards!

Bob

[jetman1981]

Good looking work Eric.....how about a photo of the inside of the journal?

[particle]

Thanks - I don't have any pics of the inside. I dyed the inside black, smoothed it by dampening it with a sponge then rubbed a glycerin bar over it, then sealed it. Ideally I'd like to line it, but I didn't have thin enough material at the time I made these.