Category Archives: Brands

Notebook Addict of the Week: Stephen Emond

This week’s notebook addict is actually a sketchbook addict, who comments: So, for someone who doesn’t have a ton of time for drawing for fun these days, I have an obsession with sketchbooks. I love trying new ones, always hoping to get that *just right* paper texture, thickness, and brightness… for the record it should … Continue reading Notebook Addict of the Week: Stephen Emond

Review: Kolo Essex Travel Book

The Kolo Essex Travel Book is an interesting hybrid of a Moleskine-type notebook and a Filofax. From the outside, it looks a lot like a Moleskine, but with some important differences. The binding is cloth, with a window in which you can insert your own image. An elastic band holds it shut. On the back, … Continue reading Review: Kolo Essex Travel Book

WSJ Europe on Moleskine’s Margins

Another Moleskine Monday tidbit I had to share: an interesting take on the private equity company that owns Moleskine and how they envision the company’s prospects in an age of cheaper knock-offs and digital competition. British office supplies store Ryman will sell you a lovely A5-sized Moleskine notebook for a hefty £12.99. Leather-bound, quality paper, … Continue reading WSJ Europe on Moleskine’s Margins

Notebooks in Istanbul

Not long ago, I traveled to Istanbul for a vacation. I was of course excited to see what kinds of notebooks I might find there! The only Turkish brand of notebooks I’d ever heard of was Arwey, but oddly enough, I didn’t spot a single Arwey notebook on my trip. I did see some other … Continue reading Notebooks in Istanbul

From Our Readers

Time for another look through the mailbag! From BMT: This might come under the “fell off the face of the Earth” dept. In the early sixties, possibly 1960 or 1961 a loose leaf company (Mead?) marketed a failed loose leaf product named “Nifty.” Instead of the conventional rings on the left side, it flipped up … Continue reading From Our Readers

Review: Kiki James Leather Jotter

I forget how I first heard about Kiki James, a British company that makes high-end leather goods. They were kind enough to offer me a sample of their pocket jotters, and though it is very different from the kind of notebooks I usually review, I was excited to take a look! The first thing I … Continue reading Review: Kiki James Leather Jotter

Change Your Journaling Paper

Anyone who keeps an art journal will enjoy this post. Roz recommends shaking up your creativity by simply trying a new kind of paper: I’ve been writing about taking trips and mini-vacations. Well, now I want you to consider taking one away from your favorite paper. Or away from the paper you normally use, which … Continue reading Change Your Journaling Paper