Hell, fans of all things stationery, miniature and colourful! Miniature Journals pack all that into a super-cute, easy to gift stationery gift made in the smoothest, finest quality leather.
Minis were one of the first styles I launched my bookbinding business with back in 2008 (has it really been that long?!) and since then they've made their way into lots of hearts, stationery collections, Christmas stockings and magazine features (thanks especially to Country Living, Hello! and the Sunday Telegraph).
I make Minis with offuts from my larger leather books; not only does this make business sense, it minimises waste of this natural materials and reduces landfill. Recently I've updated the Miniature Journal collection with some old favourite colourways, including zesty fresh Peach & Lemon to jewel-like Emerald & Peach.
A couple of years ago I fell in love with cork textile; a sustainable, plant-based, naturally vegan alternative to leather. So of course, I introduced a Vegan Mini Journal option, currently available in Rose Gold and Natural. (You can buy full-size Cork Vegan Journals, too).
Anyway, I thought it would be great to collect some fo the feedback my lovely customers have left for their Mini Journals over the years and put together all their brilliant ideas into this list that might inspire your birthday and Christmas gift giving!
Nuts, satsuma, chocolate, soap, socks? Check! But what else? How about a finely hand crafted Mini Journal that tucks into a pocket just as easily as it does a Christmas stocking?
"This size is perfect for those people who like having an actual notebook with them but don’t want a full-sized one. It fits into a back pocket no problems." - Erica
You've got a £20 budget and you're SO BORED of the usual high street *ahem* stuff, am I right? Problem solved (and under budget).
“The Miniature Journals are more special than I imagined. Thank you so much! I'm passing along a few to my co-workers..." - Hope, Ohio USA
This one's for the craft aficianados out there! When you're making your cracker, bear in mind that my Miniature Journals measure 76 x 60mm and are about 25mm deep. The Mini Journal could be the 'main' gift and you could fill the rest of the space with a roll of washi tape, miniature pencils and maybe some funky shaped paper clips.
"Bought to go in my wife's Christmas cracker. A lovely little gift." - Paul, Stockport UK
Traditionally, your third wedding anniversary demands a leather gift. Belts, handbags, fancy luggage... a bit expensive? I don't know about you, but by our third wedding anniversary we were using most of our spare cash to pay the plumber and assorted other bills.
This special edition Miniature Journal with gold hearts says it all without blowing your understandably modest budget. And it's a useful gift, too perfect for little jottings as your loved one goes about their day.
"I keep it in my bag so I can capture sketches / ideas for new pieces when I'm out. So handy and just lovely to use." - Regina, Dublin, Ireland
The Sunday Telegraph suggested my Mini Leather Journals as an addition to a non-traditional hamper - and who am I to argue? Afterall, who knows when the muse will strike - perhaps even at your next picnic!
"Adorable!! Love it. Perfect size for carrying around and tracking daily activity patterns." - Jishen, California, USA
Elizabeth Stone wrote that to have a child is "to decide forever to have your heart go walking around outside your body". Well, let your child (whatever their age) know that you carry their heart in yours and that you'll always be there for them, wherever they walk, with the Gold Love Hearts Mini Journal.
"I just wanted to say thank you so so much for the mini journal...it arrived this morning and I’ve already given it to my daughter! She absolutely adores it! It’s beautiful and I’m sure she will treasure it always." - Jane, Cornwall UK
Why is the date of Mother's Day so hard to remember? It's not just you - it's everybody. Firstly, the date differs between countries. In the USA, Mother's Day is observed on the second Sunday in May. And in France, it's the last Sunday (unless that also happens to be Whit Sunday, in which case Mothers' Day is moved to the first Sunday in June). Confusing, much?
Secondly - in the UK, at least - Mother's Day doesn't fall on the same date every year. Like Easter, it's a 'movable feast' and occurs on the 4th Sunday in Lent, which is three weeks before Easter.
And knowing all that makes you the most organised offspring in the world!
“Wow, what a lovely tiny book… delightful work.” - Marrije, Utrecht Netherlands
Grey & Teal or Grey & Peach are the most popular colours for Father's Day which falls on the third Sunday in June, whatever country you live in.
"Absolutely perfect, it fits beautifully in the pockets of my uniform and it's adorable and it has enough paper to hold all my notes! Truly a great buy if you need to have a notebook dedicated to a single purpose." - John, San Diego USA
Forget the chocolate and the flowers. Actually, we like those too. But wouldn't it be good to give something that a lot of thought and care has gone into? That Mini Leather Journal with hand-embosed gold hearts is a wonderfully thoughtful gift for Valentine's Day, too.
“The Mini Journals are absolutely lovely and I am very pleased with them… they will make lovely little gifts.” - Anne, West Sussex
Take a look at my Cork Miniature Journals in pretty pastels and earthy tones. Cork is a naturally vegan, renewable and sustainable natural resource and it's oh, so soft to handle.
"It’s been with me all over the place! I love the fact it’s vegan leather, yet holds up brilliantly to everything I’ve put it through." Erica
You might need to buy two:
“I bought it for someone else but think I’m going to keep it!” - Gretchen, Bondues, France
Browse the full Miniature Journal Collection here and if you're using your little Bound by Hand notebooks in a way I haven't thought of please get in touch because I'd love to know!
Susan
info@boundbyhand.co.uk
+44 (0)7748 759371
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Discover 10 Ways to Use a Mini Journal in your daily life. Practice mindfulness and engage with your creativity with these ideas from artists, poets, writers, business coaches and psychologists.
What do those professional bookbinding terms mean? Can I use any kind of glue? Where do I find waxed linen thread? Do I need special paper? Is that awl as good as the one I already have? I hear you. I was you.
