Coptic Bound 166 Page Handmade Chinese Grunge Peacock Junk Journal with Handtorn Paper

This flaming red book has a spine made from red Chinese paint paper.  I covered both front and back with a replicated Chinese manuscript page and then handpainted a peacock stencil over the top.  The peacock has a pink rhinestone eye.  There is a black and gold ribbon running up the inner part of the front cover.

There are brass edges on the book.  I sprayed a light waterbased varnish over it to protect the inks.  It comes with an aqua colored Chinese plastic measure tape closure.

There are pieces of ephemera: a found Jack of hearts that seemed to beg to stay with this funky journal and then an antique book page I overlaid with an old image of a jester.

I LOVE handmade stuff, real folkart that’s actually, truly, from scratch.  I collect stuff that’s human and full of the heart of whomever made it.  All my journals are this way – I mean to make treasures. I’m not making a product, I’m building something beautiful because it’s worth doing.

In every case there is only 1 of these; you are buying the only one there will ever be.

VIDEO:  If you want to see every page of this product, please use the link that is a sort of mustard color right at the base of this listing.  In the video, I take you through the entire journal.

DETAILS OF THIS BOOK

SIZE: This journal measures 6 3/4 inches tall (about 17cm) by 4 1/2 inches wide (about 11.5cm) and is about 1 inches thick (about 2.5 cm)

# of PAGES: 166 pages (I count the back and front of every page.)

# of SIGNATURES: About 9 Signatures

BINDING: This is a coptic bound book.  The spine is quite flexible meaning that even though it is exceptionally sturdy there is play in it and can be lain flat for use.   I sew with doubled cotton crochet thread.

HARVESTING USED PAPER:  I employ actual used paper, with rips, spots, stains, glues; I glue pages together, overlay them if they’re not big enough, and repair pages with little patches. I prep each piece by washing it with a bleaching wipe.  Then I iron each piece four times.  I usually remove excess glue with acetone – I’m always thinking, “This is how to take something worth negative money and utilize all kinds of commodities to modify it…”  But I do it anyway!

I handcut or rip each page to size for each project. I collect all kinds of papers, some are handmade cotton, many are from commercial bags from my travels or from home.  I’m always rummaging.

SIGNATURES: I design each book so that the colors work, and I usually keep a kind of idea of the entire feel as I put it together.  I normally do a very thin page at the center of each signature.

EDGES:  This book has brass edges added to the top and bottom of the leather cover in front and back.  These have been hammered on by hand – they’re there to keep the edges crisp.

ALL SHIPPING IS FREE.* Once purchased I will ship within 48 hours unless the weather interferes. We live on an island off the coast of northern Maine.  In winter we get loads of storms and on rare occasions mail isn’t able to come or go off island, though never for more than a few hours or one day.

After I ship I’ll email you the tracking.

**If you live outside of the United States, please email me about shipping and tell me the exact name of the item and I will tell you the cost.

$65.00

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Coptic Bound 166 Page Handmade Chinese Grunge Peacock Junk Journal with Handtorn Paper quantity

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