My husband, Frank, has a magpie's eye for crafts. Any shiny new technique appeals to him. He's a potter, of course, but he's also done photography, silkscreen, batik, jewelry, carpentry, a tiny bit of glass-blowing, and, long ago, some bookbinding.

When I started thinking about making journals, he taught me a simple Japanese folio binding stitch for assembling them. We wanted something that didn't obscure the paper being used for covers and end papers. The technique leaves a knot and loose ends in the middle of the spine, so we incorporate them into the ornamentation--good-luck coin or semi-precious stone bead--that completes the presentation.

• Journals; (page size 5.5 x 8.5")......$ 20.
  Our journals use a heavy-weight handmade paper sheet for the cover, with coordinated color end papers enclosing 100 pages of commercial recycled paper, Japanese folio-bound with a cloth reinforced spine and a good luck coin.
• Rainbow Books; (4.25 x 5.5")......$ 16.
  Each book has 32 handmade postcard pages in a rainbow of colors, with handmade paper for covers and end papers. Japanese folio-bound with a cloth reinforced spine and a decorative bead.
• Memory Books; (4.25 x 5.5")......$ 16.
  Each book has 32 handmade pages of matched color with handmade paper for covers and end papers. Japanese folio-bound with a cloth reinforced spine and a decorative bead.

Our Journals are very versatile, with 100 blank pages for your poetry, prose, (romances?) wit or wisdom. My parents use theirs to document travels in their RV. Frank is on his third volume of sketches, notes, and ideas for sculptures. Some have been used at weddings as guest books or gift records.

Rainbow Books and Memory Books are ideal for mounting pictures, mementos or ephemera from a vacation or special time with friends.