I Made 100 Notebooks By Hand | Why Pay For Stationary?
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- Опубликовано: 13 янв 2024
- This is the story of how and why I made 100 pocket sized notebooks by hand - and why you should too.
I'd like to especially thank my crooked moustache for bringing down the production quality of this video.
Back in my college days, we had essay tests. The professor required us to buy blue books at the book store and bring them to class so we could take our test. Blue books were a quarter. My broke ass got my child's construction paper out, I selected a nice light blue sheet and I made my own. I wrote "poor man's blue book" on it and took my test. Even better was this was in a sociology course and I managed to work in the fact that I made my own blue book (the workers taking control of the means of production) into my essay. The fact that I remember that 30 years later says that "A" was well earned.
Loved reading this, thank you for taking the time to share! The fact that the very act reflected what you learned in the course is hilarious! Nicely done.
Wow!!!!
Based
Great nicely done but paper is not like the ones in field notes i mean water resistant but when i go to restaurant i only est dishes that i don t have the skills to do like this insave à ton of money 😅
Love this!!! 🙂
as a bookbinder myself, you don't need to explain yourself at all.
i understand and i stand by you.
I knew I was 'bound' to meet some like minded people on here! Thanks for the support!
@orlansfw. Thanks
I really want to do this now for custom watercolor sketchbooks of my size preference, etc…
I got 99 notebooks and a field note ain't one!
Thanks for this comment, made me laugh!
I don't have that many notebooks, but I don't think Field Notes are worth the price unless you spend extra on their Expedition version which uses Rite in the Rain waterproof paper.
I gotta admit that does sound pretty cool.
clever
@@austinkamenz The only downside of waterproof paper is that you can't use water based inks. So no fountain pens. But as someone that studied geology in college, Rite in the Rain reigned supreme. In fact, as someone that has done field work in school, the idea of a notebook being called "Field" anything that isn't made with waterproof paper just sounds weird to me. The name "Field Notes" implies that it is intended to be used in the great outdoors. And the great outdoors can get wet.
As a prolific writer, it irks me that notebooks are becoming more and more expensive (along with pens too) where I live. I do write on my tablet but I don’t like doing it because I loved the feel of the paper to pen so now I’m thinking of making my own notebooks. As soon as you said you were a stationary nerd, I knew you would relate to this so thank you for uploading this video.
I know right! I feel like all my best ideas come to life on paper, there's just something about it. Thank you for the comment, nice to meet a fellow nerd!
Notebooks like moleskin and field notes, are to an extent, collector's items and fashion accessories to a lot of people. It's not hard to imagine a world where it's common for people to refer to all journals like that as moleskines the same way every adhesive bandage is a bandaid or every lip balm is chapstick, from how ubiquitous the Moleskine brand is to the general public with small bound journals. Moleskine makes garbage quality notebooks for their price, but people buy them because it is a fashion accessory for the lifestyle they want to present themselves to the world as. I don't even know what the aesthetic of buying a moleskine because it's trendy would be called but it's like buying doc martens to be punk because that's just what punks wear.
This isn't to say that if you buy a trendy brand like moleskine or field notes that you're necessarily one of these people, but it's just to explain the absurd price. If there were no cult following around them and they were used purely for utilitarian reasons, they would cost as much as you'd expect them to, but when things get trendy and people start buying it because they think owning branded products says something about them as a person, that's a reason why the price can shoot up.
Its also the quality doesn't match the price either. Its horrible, cheap paper that bleeds ink if you use anything other then a ballpoint.
When I went to Japan I was floored by the difference in quality and it was at really reasonable prices. Now nothing back home even compares to their stuff 😭
@@nobody2021 tbh I’m not much of a moleskin type. I actually also refer to regular school notebooks as well. Pens and pencils are also getting expensive too.
Still it was interesting to see why moleskins are popular, so thanks for that insight atleast. 💜
I went down a similar rabbit hole when I discovered Travelers Notebooks four years ago. I looked at the price and thought "Huh, I can get some scrap leather and make the cover myself" and just as you did made some notebooks. Not only that I made a bunch of covers for myself and friends for the price of a single brand name one and they fit my needs better. Quite satisfying.
That’s awesome! I’m excited to give these ones out to friends also, it’s a cheap gift but the personal touch makes all the difference!
@@austinkamenz when you do something with your hands instantly gets a different value, one that can't be linked to a price tag.
@choco7047 I totally agree with you!!.. Who had that "brilliant" idea of make the writing uncomfortable??
@@austinkamenz Now, you have to find a way to recycle the little paper into something else, perhaps a artwork you could sell in a youtube auction ? You will succeed at making your notebooks worth -2 dollars or something, lol !
Haha I delved into this Travelers Notebooks for the first time this month. Luckily, I have learned how to do my own notebooks when I was 9 and didnt have money to buy those fancy diaries my school girlfriends had. Now I have some adaptable tools, watched some YT tutorials on the "midori style cover" and I'm going to try it this month. Finally, the crochet and sewing classes I took 12 years ago will be of some use. And I intent of giving this for Christmas gifts this year too. I believe my friends have already recieved enough personalized handmade candles and soap... Nothing like the power of DIY!
Plus, you can make some kind of "marketing" about all the benefits of a EDC Notebook and it will gain even more value.
As I watched this video, I kept thinking, “This guy is me.” (Except for the curse words…and I'm an old woman, not a guy.) But the love of stationery, gathering the supplies, figuring out the costs, and the attention to detail. All me. Only thing is I didn't stop at 100. Oh no. I had to keep going. Started printing my own lined papers, and making decorative covers that could rival Field Notes. I foist them off on friends and family members who have been very understanding so far. But that's okay. They can think of me as the pixilated grandma, but I'm having fun. I subscribed to your feed, then I realized this is your only video. Yep, you're me….
That is so awesome, I love to hear it! Printing your own paper is a great idea, I bet it adds a whole other element to the project. Thank you for the subscription and for sharing this comment!
May I ask, what do you recommend for margins? I'm trying my hand at printing line and grid paper and I am trying every recommendation I get from more experience people
Your friends and family are very lucky!
We should be friends.
The best sketchbook that I had, was one I did myself, with print cheap paper and cardboard from an Amazon's box. Was the best experience I had with notebooks, because I own one basically made from "trash" so I wasn't afraid of using them
That sounds awesome! I might have to try that out myself, I’m a big fan of the grungy trash aesthetic. I bet it would look really cool!
It's even more satisfactory when you find a way to make the notebooks out of package waste or old notebooks. Truly worth it
I agree!
I am absolutely guilty of finding a new $49.99 notebook/planner every time i go to the bookstore. This was a great idea and a great video!
Thank you! Don't get me wrong, I will 100% still be drooling over the planners at the bookstore next time I'm there. My city also has a few local specialty stationary stores... so tempting!
As a stationary and supply nerd, I'm totally obsessed. This is exactly the type of content that I'm here for ❤️
Thank you for saying that! I'm glad this video made its way to you. Nice to meet a fellow stationary nerd!
Me too! 😁
Me, too!
Love this. Must say : “stationary” = “not moving”
“stAtionEry” = “pApEr” 😅. Thanks Mom!❤
That's a good way to remember!
I get them mixed up at times as well, thanks…this may help now! 😊
E for Envelopes
I love this! ❤ thank you 🙏🏻
E for equipment too.
I started doing this last year and it's honestly a game changer. I've been journaling and writing books for 20 years or so, and it floors me how expensive notebooks are now. I've started urging everyone around me to get into the book-binding hobby for the very reasons you've listed. Thank you for making this! Hopefully it encourages more to take on this amazing hobby
Thank you for the encouragement! I started a RUclips channel so that I could find like minded people, and it's so cool to be doing exactly that after just one post!
I also make my own pocket notebooks. This was refreshing.
5:13 " if I lose a few or I give a couple away I'm not going to think to myself wow there goes eight bucks"
Thank you!
I appreciate the kind words, thank you! Glad to meet a fellow DIY’er.
This is the clearest illustration of "Economy of Scale" I've ever seen. It even works that way for ships; building one ship is unfathomably expensive, building 100 ships is a bargain.
I’m in full support of this as someone really into bookbinding. Also a tip for anyone who wants to try this: you can usually get some copy paper from the library if you don’t already have it at home, you can use a ruler in place of a bone folder if needed, and you can also use thread, strings, binder clips, or even glue to put the pages together! Really you can kind of make a book out of anything. Happy binding y’all 🥰
"Because I keep my receipts because I don't know how to say no to the cashier without feeling weird about it." Might hands down be the most relateable thing ever said on the internet for me hahahaha
I knew somebody would relate!
The fact that this is the first video…. You are a living legend, I see it already.
Haha! Thank you for the kind comment. Finding a community of like minded people was what interested me in RUclips to begin with, so I'm super excited to see that this channel is heading that direction!
I've been journal for 7 years and every year I make my "bullet journal notebook" by hand. At first I made it with leftover papers from last semester. And the next year, I save my pocket money to buy cheap copy paper and made my book with that. I clicked and watched your video just to make sure that I'm not alone that this cheap 😂🙏 Thank you for make this video! It means so much for me and help me feel proud with my craft/stuff that I made.
That’s wonderful! Good for you. I started this channel to make sure that I’m not alone either, haha. So it’s good to be meeting others like me. Thanks so much for the support!
Exactly how I felt upon looking at traveler's notebook, inserts, charms, art journals... it's expensive (for me). So I ended up making my own, which cost me about $20 for any additional materials I needed to put them all together. I felt better because I was able to use/repurpose what I already have.
Nice! There’s definitely something special about using the supplies you have to make something you love!
Yes! Expensive pretty notebooks intimidate me to the point of me not even using them for fear of “messing them up”. Great video. I actually just started buying bulk amounts of the “pen and gear” brand notebooks from Walmart because they’re only $1 a piece. But it is definitely more fun and satisfying making them yourself!
It's great that we all have our own motivations for why we do what we do. The one thing I might have missed in your video is the accounting of time. Time is money. If you're going to make notebooks, that takes away from the time you could be doing something else. I'm a firm believer in paying other people to do things if I'm in a position to do it and so choose. It isn't about the money. At least, it isn't for me. While I am capable of making my own, I do also purchase paper, notebooks, journals, etc. I am obsessed with stationery and have been for as long as I can remember. I make my own journals, notebooks, sketchbooks, etc. because I enjoy the process of making them and I enjoy seeing my words, handwriting, and other forms of art on a substrate I made with my own hands. Thanks for sharing.
I was about to say the same thing, but this is often countered by the ikea effect. Making and using your own things builds immense inner joy. Thats why so many people are willing to pay themselves $0 for their labor.
I have used pocket notebooks for over 20 years and I have never thought to make my own. Thank you for this video, I will be starting this weekend 🎉
Wow, that’s amazing! I hope that one day I can say the same. I have always journaled, but carrying around a pocket book is a new thing for me. Hope your making goes well!
@@austinkamenz Thank you 🙏🏿 hopefully you can continue to journal and hone your daily routine.
A couple quick thoughts: first, I agree with you. You can save money by making your own notebooks, like you said. That's one reason I recently started binding my own notebooks. That said, Field Notes isn't just printer paper. As a fountain pen user, I have to be a bit choosy about my paper. Field Notes isn't the best, but it does the job, whereas copy paper is hit and miss. Field Notes also collaborates with artists to create regular special editions, and some of them are gorgeous. So there are reasons why someone might choose to pay up for them, but not $20+. Amazon is often very expensive. When it comes to pens and stationery, I usually avoid Amazon if I can help it. But again, there are so many reasons why making your own notebooks is awesome, and I'll probably buy very few notebooks now that I can make my own.
Hi, fellow fountain pen user! It's true, some papers don't work as well. Although I'll use anything and live with the consequences/show through (most of my pen nibs are too fine for the ink to actually bleed through or feather) I like 24lb paper especially well. Is there any type of paper you recommend?
If is a fuzzy mess counts as does the job sure, about the best I can say is it's legible and doesn't show through the other side. Though I'm picky enough I notice when even my nicer paper starts feathering slightly due to humidity.
Though I have been using Field Notes, I use a fisher bullet pen or just a pencil with them, I'm not sure I'll buy more. I need to get around to trying to make a leather cover for them because they're sure not durable enough for pocket use one their own, not sure if that'll feel too thick or not though.
I was also shocked by the price of Field note. Then I made my own using 80 gsm Karnaphuli Paper and for cover used brown craft paper. It cost me 25 cents for making 72 page notebook each.
Wow, 72 pages! That sounds great.
For an even easier ring bound system - if you use 5.5x8.5 paper or A-series paper like A5 or A6, before you toss any paper in the shread, look and see if there is a fraction of the page left unused that can be cut down.
North American letter size paper can be cut in half to make 5.5x8.5 paper. And A-series, each size is exactly half the size of the next largest. So you only need 1/4 of a sheet of A4 to cut out a sheet of A6. Great way to repurpose waste paper.
Hole punch the paper and toss it in your favorite loose leaf notebook or planner and you'll never pay for filler paper again.
You can even load it into your printer to add a grid or lines if desired.
I've not paid for 5.5x8.5 paper in decades doing this.
This is brilliant!
Whenever you're driving and you see a rest area or welcome center, stop in and pick up a free state map. Glue them to some card stock or craft paper and you have cool covers.
Woah! I’ve gotten a lot of amazing tips in the comments here but this one I particularly like. That’s such a great idea. Thank you!
It's worth it! Once you have the supplies you can just make notebooks to your heart's content. Giving some away or selling. They won't go to waste. Great video!
I totally agree! It’s been nice to give them out to friends as random gifts. Thanks for watching!
I had a year where a made almost a book a day. Different forms and sizes and bindings. I still love the time it took to create and it’s so customizable. Love this share. Thank you!
That’s awesome, I bet it became a peaceful part of your routine! Thanks for supporting the video, I’m glad you enjoyed it!
Stationery freak here too, I love making my own notebooks, but I sometimes let myself splurge on a pre-made notebook with better quality paper and construction. The ones I make are good, they serve their purpose and according to the people around me they even look "store bought", but I still enjoy nice notebooks. I think there's something out there for everyone, and everyone can make their own alternatives, which I think it's so cool.
I liked your video in general, and I'm glad I'm not the only one who enjoys creating their own massive reserve of books!
On the topic of field notes: I've been looking at them for some time, mostly because of the size, but where I live they're just not a viable option, as they're very difficult to find. I can find Moleskine, but not Field Notes, and while they also make a few similar products, I just don't think I can justify buying those, as the paper quality is pretty bad and the construction is completely achievable by my box cutter and sewing machine.
And not to go on a tangent, but have you seen the Field Notes archival box? What even is that price point???
Thank you for this comment! You hit the nail right on the head. If quality is high up on your priority list, then there's no reason to feel guilty for splurging on nice things when you can! Making things is rewarding, but so is bringing home a shiny new thing from your favourite stationary store!
Also, I googled the archival box you mentioned, wow!!
I've fallen in love with the process of making handmade books for myself for a couple of months now after being really broke from life's usual unexpected circumstances. The limits forced me to get creative with how to be resourceful with materials I already got onhand. While certainly it's more time-consuming, the added steps to the process has given me the space to pause and be more intentional with why I put my books together, why I write and draw on these sheets, and other trade-offs with my brainspace and use of time and fed my brain with more respect for the whole thing and for how books & record-keeping have evolved alongside humanity too. It's quite healing in its own way, hehe.
It also gives me a chance to personally seek out paper makers and suppliers in my city hoping to help them out in a small way by buying from them too when they usually fly under the radar of one's notice too. Thank you so much for this video! 😊
That's so great to hear! It sounds like book making has been a really positive part of your life. Thank you for supporting the video!
I am not fooled. As a fellow stationery store addict, I know you had some of those supplies already! And the rest was totally worth it because you also got to shop at the stationery store AGAIN.
Yeah. This. I fell down the Field Notes rabbithole few years back, but I started making my own and it is SO MUCH MORE satisfying to finish. They're more rugged, have my own artwork or photography on them, and I don't need to be so precious about losing them because it's quite satisfying to just make another run. DIY FOREVER
I did this a while back for my husband who likes to carry a notebook at all times. I don’t think you can help getting carried away! Especially when you are getting the notebook you want in the size and supplies that best fit your needs. You had me at “I’m a stationery nerd”. Can’t wait to see what other videos you have to share!
Haha, you're so right! Thank you for supporting the video, I'll have more out soon!
God, this was hilarious. Bookbinding is so much fun, I've made several pamphlets and notebooks as a means and an end. I'm glad you took the dive! Welcome to the club lol
Thank you! Reading through the comments, I'm amazed to see how many others share this way of life. Very cool!
My mother takes old books, removes some pages to reduce bulk, and pastes scrap paper over the text to create journals. It's a relaxing creative outlet for her, plus she get's a "new" note book! I'm sure she would try this out or at least entertain the thought. 😊
That sounds wonderful!
I want to resonate the true message of this video that I relate with: That once you know, hands-on, how something is made, you gain experience, a new skill, maybe a new hobby, and most importantly, a recipe to remake a thing for a few years if relying only on memory, or more, especially if you leave yourself notes personal to you on the process.
I too recently gone into bookbinding and made not just myself, but my significant other, my dad and my grandma their own notebooks with what I have learned, all different sizes, tehniquesband more. They where thrilled to learn way more that I MADE them a gift over buying one. And altought my father did tell me he won't use his, is because of the sentimental value, even if I reassured him I can make another one again.
Making your own is what freedom really is like, because I set how long I want to work on this, how many do I wanna make, if I want to sell these or give them away, what materials to use etc. I can make the fanciest one or the most low budget one each with a different use case. Companies no longer restrain you to what is popular" or what systems work just for the majority. You can truly make something that WORKS for YOU!
As an avid Notetaker I have thought about making my own Notebooks more than once. But as soon as there is the word "Bookbinding" in the title or description its generally too much for my personal taste. I want to use my notebooks more than spend time making them or anything else. This approach of making your own "Field Notes" is very intriguing as it seems simple enough (and cheap enough) to try at the very least. Thank you for the Video! I think I am not alone when I say that I would appreciate a tutorial on how you make them, maybe more for things you learned from making 100 of them and things you would do different the next time than the process itself.
Thank you for this comment! It is insightful and helpful to me as a new creator. I will definitely consider making a tutorial and reflection video! Also, I encourage you to give it a try! If you hate it, at least you confirmed it's not for you!
You can also take a hole punch and make two covers, and "tie" the pages inside, so you have two notebooks, and lots of refills!
We are kindred spirits, last year I made a lot of field notebook size as well as travelers sized. I also used an 1949 typewriter for some typography and designed some covers in old school publisher. I did it because I wanted paper I like for example account tabular paper to keep track of expenses and mileage , drawing paper, water color paper for when I get inspired! And of course dot paper for doing bujo planning. and I wanted it stitched rather then stapled. Was it worth it I believe it was! Nothing feels so gratifying them making something by hand!
That sounds amazing! I never thought to combine multiple paper types for an all in one, and the typewriter cover is icing on the cake. Nice to meet a like minded person (who, apparently, is a step or two ahead of me), and thank you for the sub!!
This is awesome! I recently got into bookbinding and I find that I’m way more eager to draw in handmade sketchbooks than store bought ones.
That's awesome! Yeah, it's funny how a handmade book is more approachable somehow than a store bought one (sometimes)
As a stationary freak, I decided to watch because i was intrigued. However, i then remembered making a bunch of these mini notbebooks as a child while at summer camp to provide a space to write down memories and observations and to give as gifts. This is way more sustainable and cooler than buying expensive german journal for a simple commonplace boom. Thanks for a new project and for unlocking a cool memory ❤
That's so wholesome! I too am excited to give these out as gifts, it's simple but might mean a lot to someone! I'm glad to hear you enjoyed the video thank you for supporting!
Oh yes, he's got it, that's exactly what I've been doing since I was a child. It's not only cheaper, it's also fun and slows you down.
It's cool to hear that you've been doing this since childhood! The concept of it slowing you down is both valuable and frequently overlooked. Great point!
:) @@austinkamenz
I really like how brief and to the point the video is, love the content!
Thank you so much! That's a wonderful compliment.
I am a bookbinder and you are absolutely right. Although here in Argentina the costs are higher, it is also cheaper to do it ourselves. Besides, the pleasure of making our own stationery is immeasurable... Or at least for people like us. New subscriber here!✨
I agree, there’s something fun and satisfying about it! Thanks for watching and for the subscription too!
A lot of the ppl already have most of the tools, so it is more cheaper.
Also I started to carry a little notebook in my job. (I had to learn a lot of stuff, and when I helped with things which were not in my role, I needed it more. Also ppl asked for advice, because I dabbed into everything and kept note of it. My next job got a spiral bound to every newcomers. We had specific things you had to know, also they would modify it so you had to be up to date. Deliveries, discounts, ordering supplies, recipes, HACCP for new ingredients. Seasonal changes) It helped tremendously.
That's awesome! A little journal can be so much powerful than we think.
My DIY in the paper/cardstock realm is Prayer Books for my homebound/hospital patients. Blessed stapling! Great vid!
That sounds so wholesome! It's funny to see all the various ways that lead people to DIY. Thanks for the support!
Kindred spirit! I too have made my own cheapass pocket and A5 notebooks. It's addictive. Though I'd get my supplies from the dollar store or Costco.
Nice! I agree, it is addictive! The process is fun and the final result is so rewarding. Happy to meet another enthusiast!
I’ve made all of my sketch book. I sewed them, there was a bit of a learning curve but it’s the best decision I’ve made! They’re super cheap and customizable.
That's great to hear! I'm quickly realizing how worth it this hobby is!
I Bought a lot of "notebooks" like these and gave them to my nieces and nephews. They love to draw and share their stuff with me.
That's so great! I bet they love them.
I think that I enjoy making notebooks as much as using them - maybe even more. I pulled the paper promos out of a bunch of old design mags for covers. Inkjet printable craft paper is fun too. I went through a phase of printing different line and grid patterns on the paper. I've settled on dot grids now. This started with buying a pack of Field Notes and thinking that I could make this myself.
I agree, making them is half the fun! It's neat to look back on the winding road that leads to obsessive DIY'ing, haha. Thanks for sharing!
I was with you right up until you laid out your supplies and said you were going to be using printer paper.
If this is just a conversation on commodities then yes, I totally agree with you rather than buying the nameless cheap pocket notebooks on Amazon making your own might be a great step. Or if this video was about what you learned from the process I could see the value in that but ending it with a middle finger to stationary while being self-proclaimed obsessed with stationary and pens rings false. Stationary like wine, audio equipment, tailored clothing, watches whatever is a hobby and an obsession on finding and learning about the quality in the mundane. I'm not the biggest Field Notes fan (they're good just not my personal favorite) but it seems disingenuous to pretend like what you made was of the same quality as that. And like yeah, I know it is nerdy as hell to be talking about stationary semantics on the internet but good quality stationary isn't just printer paper folded up, the thoughts on the weight, the paper origin, the coloring, the grid/lines etc are all factors that people that really like to journal or write really appreciate.
To answer the question of your video title that you never broached in your title: why pay for stationary? because life is short and if you can busy your mind with learning and caring about the small things- the feel and look and writing experience of the journal in your pocket maybe it can quiet your brain for a bit and allow you to seek out the nourishing hobby of writing. I promise getting a fountain pen on some Tomoe River paper just feels better, and in the end we do everything for pleasure.
Thank you for taking the time to share this comment. I think what you pointed out about my video is true, it does present opposing values. I've got some self reflecting to do!
I'm a stationary addict too. I've been making my own journals for awhile now. I find slabs of different kinds of paper at thrift stores. I found a bone folder, metal ruler and exacto knife at Dollar Tree. I don't use staples though. I use embroidery thread to sew the book together. The Dollar Tree has a tiny hole puncher with a bone folder type thing at the bottom. I sometimes use the bottom third of the paper from junk mail. It's usually blank, and already folded so I just tear it at the fold. Free notebook paper!
That's inspiring to hear! It sounds like you've got a good system going. I did not think to combine multiple paper types, but I would like to try it for a future project!
Thank you so much for this video! I am really into maintaining diaries/notebooks based on my interests and fill them out pretty quickly. With inflation, quality notebooks are way over my budget and with these I'm pretty sure I can cut off one guilt of overspending on notebooks finally XD. Plus, I like to carry them wherever I go so they are a pretty convenient size for me. Waiting for more of such quality content!
Thank you for sharing this! I am so glad to hear you enjoyed the video. Do you mean to say that you have multiple books on the go for multiple topics? I never considered doing that, but I like the sounds of it!
When I finished this great video, I was momentarily disappointed that there weren't anymore videos yet- BUT that was quickly quashed by the excitement of more of your videos to come! Really enjoyed this one, mate. Might even make some notebooks myself !
Thank you so much, that's a really nice compliment!
As a teacher, I often come across lots of leftover paper from tests and exams. I love binding books in different sizes, and there's lots of recycling I often do. I also use candy wrappers , eyeshadow wrappers and other stuff around for covers. My husband thinks I'm a bit crazy, lol
That sounds so fun! I just made a sketchbook for myself (video coming soon) and one of the pages is a letter from my insurance company, haha!
You “David Gingery’d” the heck out of your notebook situation,now and in the future for subsequent notebooks. You will drive down the cost per notebook, as you will only be out the cost of consumables ( ie; staples, card stock, and paper). I like it!😂
Haha, good point! Thank you!
Great video!
I make my notebooks by cutting some paper to the size I want, sanding the side which will be the spline of the notebook and glueing the pages together with some PVA glue. They lay flat and are good enough for quick notes.
Some very good and quite cheap (2€ each for the A5 format) notebooks are Muji's. They're sewn bound. They work brilliantly with fountain pen ink, they're decent with acrylic paint and even tolerate watercolors (if you don't mind some warping). I always carry one of those with me for sketching.
Thank you! That's something I'm excited to use these books for is quick sketches and drawings on the go!
You’ve inspired me!! ❤ I’ve been wanting to make a little notebook for past year. But now I’ve been inspired by your video and I will definitely make my own little notebooks!!!
That’s awesome to hear! I’m going to be releasing a tutorial soon if you’re interested in how they’re made!
nice work.... So my grandfather who raised me was born in 1902, lived through the depression as a poor family boy. He dug graves for extra money during the Spanish flu. As I was growing up, he would take the scrap cardboard from chicken boxes, like from a restaurant, and he would cut them down to pocket size and staple or even sew the pages together to make his own. Nothing went to waste.
Great work! Ill keep watching.
Wow, thank you for sharing his story! Inspiring. I appreciate the support and the subscription, I'll have more videos soon!
I understand it, I love stationary too and made my own books. To this day I use the disc bound system and always make my own notebooks, when needed for a new topic or to change the design. I'm grateful, that I invested in the supplies I can use over and over again. But I'm shocked at the prices you listed. I could get the same with only 1/3 of the costs, but even then it's worth in the long run. 10 years in and I still use my first purchased supplies, because they're made of quality, can't imagine how much I saved this way.
I used to sell pocket hardcover notebooks (and handsaw everything) so I can say I have made over 300 $3 notebooks (I'm Brazilian, I did price conversion). Honestly, the work isn't worth it for selling. But if you want cheap great quality gifts for friends and family and to use them yourself, it's very worth it. But the type of notebook from the video is a lot easier to make so even more worth it to make it yourself if you like it.
EEK! I like this content! Im super inspired to make my own notebooks, but only gotten started in making my own discbound notebooks so far. The ease of customization is what I love. I suggest you show us your stationery collection/favorite brands and products. Im sure wed have a lot in common! Great first video, Good luck to you & your following!
Thank you so much! I agree, customization makes it so much more meaningful! I do plan on doing a desk tour eventually, I think that’s a good idea. Appreciate the support!
Clicked on the video just to give it a like. As a fellow handy person I refuse to buy stuff this easy to make. You rule
Thank you for taking the time to support this video! You rule too!!
When my kids are young they love drawings, and I used to give them A4 papers to draw and they used a lot and my you can see A4 papers everywhere, so I decided to make a drawing books by using a large stapler at first with A4 paper then I bind them when I want to make it even thicker(the amount of paper they use to draw increasing ) Then I make some kind of cover with different material and when they growing up, they still use A4 paper book but they started to make those themselves and design their own cover. the best thing about giving children books to draw rather than paper is, all their works are kept in books rather than just paper which most of the time would be thrown away. But we mostly will keep books and after many years they can look back at those drawings collections of their childhood. Like you I still make my own notebooks. Really enjoyed your video, it brings back memories when my children still young.
That is so wonderful, thank you for sharing this! Makes me think back on my own childhood which was exactly like you described, loose leaf paper everywhere! I bet your kids appreciate that you put in the effort to preserve their stuff like that, what a great idea!
What an absolutely genius idea Haven't watched another of your videos but this alone made me subscribe and now I will go make my own notebooks
Thank you for the support! I hope your notebooks turn out nicely!
Looking forward to more of your videos. i actually paid for a Domestika course by Maru Godas on making your own art books. i have quite a few huge sketch painting pads that will be perfect for cutting down to a smaller size.
Love Maru Godas’ art! I’ll have to look for that course.
Great idea! It's cool that your stapler goes through card stock. A sewing machine works great, if you already have one. It's great to have notebook for everything. One for random notes, one for videogaming, one for a specific project. I ❤ drawing all over mine with swirls and 🌼 (some of us never left kindergarten). Clip a mechanical pencil to each and never lose a trail of thought. Thanks for the video!
I agree, having multiple books for different categories is a great idea! I have yet to try the sewing method but I want to! It will probably be a future video! Thank you for supporting!
So glad to not be the only stationery nerd in the world! I discovered bookbinding some 15 years ago, and I still love it! Journals, art journals, sketchbooks, vacation notebooks - I can do it all! Add that to my fountain pen habit... why yes, Alice, I've been here quite a while!
Thanks for sharing a piece of your journey!
That's awesome! Once you get started... who knows where it'll take you!
First of all , your video making style is super engaging and awesome, i wish you make more videos about stationary, secondly I've done this before i just made my own version of field notes but i think people buy these stuff for the branding and the pleasure of unwrapping it with some many designs on the cover it's kinda yummy but expensive
Thank you so much, that means a lot! Aside from stationary I am also interested in photo/video stuff, so I hope to improve my production quality over time. I also agree that the experience of bringing home a crisply wrapped journal is yummy, nothing else compares!
Nice idea. I have to produce reports. I got a couple of different binding systems, then had a pressing need to publish brochures. I got an Eason 11x17 printer and a long reach stapler. Desktop publishing is kind of fun when you can go from idea to pamphlet without stepping outside of your writer’s den. Hope you upload more video.
You are living my dream! I’m planning on getting a scanner/printer one day, when the time is right. Doing everything self sufficiently just feels better! Thank you for the support!
i highly recommend the Epson Eco Tank ET-8550. The ink comes in bottles Per page, it's cheaper than a laser and the color quality is very nice. Affinity Publisher is cheap and will output the correct page order for either book signatures or tabloid, center-folded, pamphlets.@@austinkamenz
Noted! Thank you for the recommendation.
When people are counting your time as part of your cost, I’m not sure they’ve really enjoyed making a useful piece of custom art that is also functional and can be their friend along the journey. So glad you did this as a young person. I’ve always loved paper and stationary. But not until I studied and designed my own books just for me or just for fun and just sometimes for more stationary unique to me. Very often I would find a flow state while working with materials I love. Like paper and string and thread and glue and great paper!!!! Thank you!
This is such a great comment, you're absolutely right! There is something really enjoyable about the process and repetitive flow that you get into. Thank you for the support of this video!
I love love love making my own books!! Amateur book-binding here ✋
If you can get your hands on cartridge paper, try that. Try different stitches etc (loads of RUclips videos) and have fun with it. I'm a stationary nerd too and I absolutely love making my own books, although I buy some really nice ones too 😂 I usually just reuse cereal box cardboard for the covers and old gift paper or copy paper for the covers.
But it's one of the most rewarding hobbies and honestly a lot easier than it seems! I'd encourage everyone to try it ❤
Nice! It's good to meet a fellow enthusiast, and thank you for supporting the channel! Those are great tips, I really want to try other binding methods and experiment with paper types too!
So I'm just getting into notebooks within the last few months...got a few Field Notes and I gotta say I love them. I have some from the National Park Collection and the Heart Land collection. I have no issue paying a premium for those because I know they are a step above a plain cardstock cover. That being said, if I wanted just a few plain type of books similar to Field Notes, this would be an interesting option. Also might not be a bad side hustle if you want to sell them for $2-$3 a pop for "homemade" notebooks to your local community. I'd be interested to know roughly how long it would take you to put one together completely from start to finish.
That's awesome! I agree that the quality is there. I actually would prefer to be buying them or something similar from other brands, but money is tight right now so DIY will have to do! As for time, once I got into the flow of things it took about 4 minutes to make one notebook!
Just few days ago I made my first 4 notebooks. Rhodia dotted paper, some cover, more pages that Field Notes, rounded corners. Asking myself - what for? Answer is ... because I'm Stationary freak! Greetings
Nice! The rounded corners are a good idea too! I bet they turned out great.
@@21cormorants It wasn't an industry production. I think I was using same tool as you have. Few sheets per one cut and some dose of patience. Works for few notebooks. At least for me, for now.
I agree, it's cheaper to make your own notebooks. It's expensive at first because of the needed tools, but later on only the card stocks, sheets and staples need to be replenished.
Totally, worth it in the long run!
I’ve cut up Kleenex boxes for notebook covers and filled them with barely used paper. And don’t forget the corner rounder!
And I admit to having two of the Field Notes birch wood storage boxes . . . Filled with unused Field Notes notebooks.
That's a great idea! Also, those wood storage boxes are so cool!
Bro, hold up. Where the hell are you shopping that a freakin' Stapler costs $15?? You're getting robbed lol
Staples, Canada :(
this guy got blessed with the algorithm:::D
It's true, I'm shocked to see it!
They are so cute! Good for trying out new colour combos for your art journals, writing lists of stuff (I'm a massive list maker), or even journalling affirmations to try and manifest stuff. Slowly making things by hand is quite therapeutic too. Love it!
That's a great point!
I agree, make your own journals/notebooks! They're cheaper (especially if you already have basic office supplies) and you can make them exactly to your specs. I'm in the middle of making 2 blank journals now- one with 100 pages, one 140. Both are sized to fit a leather journal cover I hand sewed for +/-$15. For the journals, I'm using techniques I learned from a RUclips tutorial in about 15 minutes. No money out of pocket this time, and relatively little time invested. Win-win!
That sounds awesome!
The price you found on Amazon is not the actual price that they sell for on the Field Notes website. They usually retail for $12-$15 for a three pack. By the time you pay for supplies and then labor, it'll easily be about the same or more.
Good to know! $12 isn’t so bad. Thanks for the info!
Stationary means not moving; stationery is paper goods.
This level of detail in this is wonderfully satisfying.
Thank you so much!
i made whole old style tomes and i love seeing people bind notebooks too
I love the energy that you bring to this video. Inspiring, I will make some more notebooks now.
Thank you so much!
I identified a lot with this video. Tbh I did a similar thing this year. I bought a pack of 500 sheets of 100g cream color paper, cutted the sheets I needed and printed a custom agenda. Then got everything in a nice leather binder. I use it every day and I really proud of my job 😅
That sounds lovely!
I do this exact thing for my traveler's notebooks both the standard and passport sizes. I get to choose the paper quality and it saves a lot of money over the long term!
Nice! Having control over the paper is a big advantage for sure!
I remember buying field notes 10 years ago. And for me it was much more expensive (due to international shipping).
And I also remember going onto same path (of creating my own notebooks). And i did make. However, I didn't care about the cost. All I cared was to create something. And even if we can reduce the cost (as per your method), you have completely neglected the cost of 'labor'. It requires lots of time in hand (especially when you are a beginner).
Nevertheless nice video! And shout out to Field Notes team (Aaron Draplin), their customer service was amazing!
My brother invested in both a paper trimmer/cutter and a long arm stapeler. We made a bunch of gift songbooks and music cd's with printed fronts and covers for friends and family. I still use the same paper trimmer for my origami projects 10 years later!
I went half-way. I bought some cheap spiral wire notebooks, then made fancier covers to replace the cheap cardboard covers. Good video.
That's a great idea!
Cheers to funny and creative Canadians! Love your humor. Thanks for sharing just might have to do this!
Thank you so much! I’m glad you enjoyed the video!
This is really high quality for your first video!! I look forward to seeing your channel grow!
Thank you so much! I'm still getting the hang of things but I'm excited to make more videos for sure!
I've been reading through the comments and you're a really nice person to everyone! Thank you for being kind.
I love stationery too: paper, pens, markers, pencils, art supplies, stamps, paper punches, and stickers! I even love digital stationery like the letters in Animal Crossing or the Swap Note app in the Nintendo 3DS! I used to spell stationery incorrectly too because of that app, I'm pretty sure Nikki spelled it wrong and I just accepted her spelling as correct.
The hardest part for me is the DOING. I want to write more letters and do projects, but I just can't seem to get started. I'm going to do like what you said in a comment here and try to just do crazy ideas this year and see what happens. Eff fear! We got this!
Someday you can do a video showing ways to upgrade your handmade notebook game with everyone's suggestions!
Have fun and no need to reply to this comment, I'd rather you do something creative, y'know?
Thank you so much for this! Your support means a lot.
And then you discover a simple, 3-hole pamphlet stitch. Then there's all the manila folders you didn't throw away... the cereal and macaroni and cheese boxes in the pantry, but then those need decorating. Oh ho, what about the two or three half-used latex paint buckets sitting in your garage just waiting (or wasting away)...? It's a thing, and as a thing, has a way of snowballing.
In case you don't know... college town thrift shops are FABULOUS for finding papery things to repurpose and recycle. Just sayin'...
:)
You're absolutely right! It's amazing what ideas can come up once your eyes have been opened to the possibilities! Thanks for the tip, I'm due for a thrift shop day soon!
"That's okay too." Depends on the day for me 😂
It sounds like you and I are similar that way, haha!
This is my favorite video this year. Thank you
Wow, I'm honoured! Thank you so much.
I very much enjoyed this video! I found a book years ago on bookbinding; both the traditional way and the easier way. I learned the craft and have had the supplies for years, so I just buy paper - I love the cheap sketchpads with a little bit of a beige tint to them, 110 pages for about 6 USD and I can make about 10 field notes notebooks from that.
One tip, if you are going to keep your notebook in your pocket or bag, is to use a corner cutter (I know, one more thing to buy) it rounds of the corners of your notebook and keeps the pages from easier getting bent. Great work, I subscribed and look forward to seeing what else you come up with. Have a good one!
That’s awesome! I’m a fan of cheap sketchpads too. The corner idea is a good one, thanks for the tip! Glad to hear you enjoyed the video!
Quote this dude, on the cute planner thing. It hit so hard frr.
I needed some notebooks to carry around in my traveler’s notebook system and didn’t want to spend so much on them, cos they’re just for scribbling and to-do lists. And then they would end up in the bin after. So when my husband and i unpacked some ikea furniture, i repurposed the paper they used to separate the pieces. I managed to get two full sized and a few passport sized notebooks and I’m stoked! They’re not fountain pen friendly but they do the job well, smooth enough for a ballpoint or gel. I only spent a fraction on kraft paper for the covers.
That is such a great idea! Creativity wins.
New subscriber!
I remember how much I wanted one of those notebooks with replaceble pages some years ago, but the price was incredibly high. The uglier was 12 euros (60 units in terms of the currency of my country) and I found it ridiculous to spend so much money on something that it's not a book (also, a vivid reader here). Well, I found an organizer with the same sheet closer mechanism my dreamed notebook had. The cost: just 2 euros. I cut that organizer to match the dimensions of a A5 notebook and I used two old skirts from my mom and some hot glue to make it look fabulous. It worked! My classmates couldn't believe I didn't buy it. I still have it and I love it 😊
That's so wonderful! Good you for. Sometimes those projects turn out to be the ones we admire the most!
I really appreciated the sense of humor in this video. Plus now I wanna make some notebooks. I see you only have this vid posted, i hope to see more!
Thank you so much! I'll be uploading more for sure!