Project description
I am looking for a skilled leather crafter to make a custom hand-tooled cover for a refillable travel journal. The cover should hold a standard notebook insert that can be swapped out once it is filled, so the design needs an internal band or pocket system that keeps the paper block secure but easy to remove and replace. I would like the front panel decorated with a hand-tooled or embossed motif — something botanical or a compass-and-map theme would work well, but I am open to seeing a few sketch options before we commit to a final design.
The cover needs a closure that keeps the journal shut while traveling: either a wide elastic band that wraps around the spine or a leather strap with a simple buckle or snap. Either way it must be sturdy enough to survive being tossed in a bag every day. On the inside or along one edge, please add a slim pen loop sized for a standard ballpoint or fountain pen, positioned so the pen does not press against the paper when the cover is closed.
I would prefer full-grain or vegetable-tanned leather in a mid-brown or chestnut tone that will develop a nice patina with age, but I am happy to hear your recommendations on hide type and thickness for durability versus flexibility. Stitching should be neat saddle stitch in a matching or subtly contrasting thread. Please also include a small back pocket for loose cards or a folded note, and if possible a discreet spot where initials could be hand-stamped later.
Before starting, please share reference photos of similar tooled journal covers you have made, a materials and hardware list, and an estimated timeline. I would like at least one progress photo once the tooling and embossing stage is finished so I can approve the design before the cover is assembled and stitched. Clear communication about any changes to cost or timeline is appreciated throughout the project.
The cover needs a closure that keeps the journal shut while traveling: either a wide elastic band that wraps around the spine or a leather strap with a simple buckle or snap. Either way it must be sturdy enough to survive being tossed in a bag every day. On the inside or along one edge, please add a slim pen loop sized for a standard ballpoint or fountain pen, positioned so the pen does not press against the paper when the cover is closed.
I would prefer full-grain or vegetable-tanned leather in a mid-brown or chestnut tone that will develop a nice patina with age, but I am happy to hear your recommendations on hide type and thickness for durability versus flexibility. Stitching should be neat saddle stitch in a matching or subtly contrasting thread. Please also include a small back pocket for loose cards or a folded note, and if possible a discreet spot where initials could be hand-stamped later.
Before starting, please share reference photos of similar tooled journal covers you have made, a materials and hardware list, and an estimated timeline. I would like at least one progress photo once the tooling and embossing stage is finished so I can approve the design before the cover is assembled and stitched. Clear communication about any changes to cost or timeline is appreciated throughout the project.
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