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Notebooks

December 29, 2009
Often I decide it's time to make myself a proper notebook, sometimes I make the book, seldom I actually use the book. For some reason I'm fine with books bound by others, but self made ones are trouble from the start. Maybe it is that I somehow find combining my two favorite things, bookbinding and writing, is a bad idea. My bookbinding and writing moods are quite the opposite, I need peace and quiet when I write (inside my head, for bookbinding I need those things outside it).

This one is the second real book I've ever made, and it took years before I even used it as a notebook, and never finished it. I did get closer to finishing it than usual, but still... all books made by me used by me end up only half-full.

My current notebook system may be a bit odd, but it works for me. I need a notebook wherever I go, even though I don't even use one everyday, but if I don't have one, I'm bound to come up with a master plan for the thing I've always wanted. But here's how my life is organized right now: three skinny lined notebooks*, a rubber band and two or three 0.01 pens, tossed in my handbag. One of the notebooks is for crafty things, planning and writing down shopping lists for 50cm invisible zippers and teal blue sewing thread. The other is a diary/poetry/serious writing notebook. And the last (the middle one, actually) is full of diary/poetry/serious stuff but needs to be carried around everywhere because important things were written in it (just realized it would be in a much safer place at home behind several locks).
There may be hope in the world as long as there are notebooks. At least my handwriting has possibly stopped deteriorating.

Would you please tell me about your notebook? I'd love to hear what you use it for (notes, drawings, newspaper clippings?), what it looks like,  if you keep it in a special place and whatever comes to mind. You can leave a comment or you can email me (the address is in my profile). What would make me really happy is if you sent me a photo or two. I'd love to make a little blog post of other people's notebooks too. Just write a line or two (or twenty) for me, if you're in the mood for sharing.

This isn't a call for artist's notebooks! I'm interested in your notebook (simply curious, I admit!), and if you happen to be an artist, well, maybe we can both live with it :) I'm equally fascinated by the notebooks of engineers and gardeners and all you people out there.

And geez, enough with the snow already!!

*from Muji, I hoard these whenever in London.

In everything else Tags creativity, me, weather, writing
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Welcome to Paperiaarre!

Kaija Rantakari / Paperiaarre in her Helsinki based studio

Hello, my name is Kaija. I'm a master bookbinder / mixed media artist / accumulator extraordinaire / poet from Finland. This website is where I share my creations to fellow paper enthusiasts.

Paperiaarre is Finnish for a paper treasure, and I hope you find many of those here!

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The Paperiaarre shop is open again! I've now returned from the incredibly lush Edinburgh where I had the privilege to stay at a wonderful writing recidency. So many long walks, big hills, old kirkyards, and vinegary treats!

As mentioned, the shop is
Hello you, just a quick note that I'm spending May in Edinburgh at a writing recidency, so the Paperiaarre shop will be closed from April 30th. Any orders placed by Wednesday afternoon will be shipped as usual ❤️❤️❤️
Another great day for this bookbinder! Thank you all for your many orders - they really make my day every time ❤️
This golden floral kimono silk is one of my all time favourites. I love how beautifully light plays with the weave even on a cloudy day like today.

This notebook with semi-flexible covers is one of the five still left of yesterday's shop update. All
New books in the Paperiaarre shop! Four hardcover notebooks with heavier weight paper, and ten notebooks bound with the sewn boards binding style that results in semi-flexible covers. All made with repurposed vintage kimono silk.
On my to-do list is to add this stack of vintage kimono notebooks to my shop. Some time next week, I hope!

I made these using the sewn boards binding structure that creates lovely semi-flexible covers.
Wrapping a lovely order today 🤍🤍🤍

We've now made it through the darkest moments of winter, so maybe soon I will finally get to my stack of journals waiting to be photographed. Read: New books coming soon-ish!
New blog post and new books now available in the Paperiaarre shop at www.paperiaarre.com. There's postcard-sized watercolor journals perfect for travel journal use, too, and a small lot of the popular adorably tiny notebooks. All covered with repurpo
Watercolor journals and mini kimono journals for sale through my IG stories for the next 24h. Any remaining books will be available at paperiaarre.com in a few days 🤍🤍🤍
Every now and then I get requests for notebooks suitable for watercolors, and even though I don't do custom orders in the traditional sense, every now and then I hear your requests! This lot of six lovely A6 landscape format watercolor journals will

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