Book (Necklaces) of the Week!

The Elizabeth Bennet necklace for sale here.

First, I want to thank everyone for their participation in my first giveaway--it's been much more of a success than originally anticipated! (I only wanted to get a few more blog followers, but the original number has quadrupled!) The Giveaway will be drawing to a close on the 30th, when I'll be doing the drawing. But more on that later.

Lately, I've been making tiny leather book necklaces, and I've listed a few in my shop that are inspired by Jane Austen characters.

I'm not a jewelry expert, so I've decided against chains unless they are requested, or if I find some vintage ones I like. Instead I'm mostly using silk cords, which can be tied at any length. They're both colorful and flexible!

The Emma necklace, which sold to a wonderful customer. 

Honestly, the little books are a nice break from regular bookbinding, because they are almost an instant gratification project. If I end up doing a tutorial soon, it'll end up being on these, since they are the best beginner's project EVER.

In other news:
I've started compiling a bookbinding blogroll you can see on the bar on the right. Those featured are either members of my Etsy Bookbinding Team, or just super awesome blogs I've discovered. You should check them out whenever bored. (The ones at the top especially, since they likely post most frequently.)

And here are some more of the necklaces I've made:

This is my sister's favorite, and if it doesn't sell by Christmas, I'm giving it to her. It's the Tinkerbell necklace found here. 

The mini musical necklace, has music paper endpages, and is covered in distressed, yet smooth leather. For sale here. 

Here's the first one I made, which has a vintage chain, and is covered in black leather. For sale here.

Here's one of my favorites, inspired by Long John Silver, from Stevenson's Treasure Island. (It's sold.)

The Elinor necklace inspired by the character in Austen's Sense and Sensibility. For sale here.

This one was inspired by Marianne from Sense and Sensibility. It's for sale here.

The 80 Days Around the World necklace features a jasper stone which looks just like a flattened globe. (sold). 

I haven't listed this one yet, but I'll put a link up when I do. It's inspired by the Aunts from Arsenic and Old Lace.

I have one more I've finished, but haven't photographed. I'll tweet and facebook both it, and the one above once I've posted them to my shop.

Let me know if you're interested in a tutorial by commenting!

Manifesto for the Ethical Treatment of Mini Books

I've been making a lot of mini books lately, despite their unpopularity. Actually, probably because of their unpopularity. I guess mini books are the geeks in the pantheon that is book-high-school.

Since mini books are natural minorities, I'm going to write them a little manifesto:

1. Mini books are just as cool, and should be held in equal esteem by bibliophiles.
2. They might be small, but their size has several advantages: they can fit into a pocket or purse, they travel well, can be hidden easily, and they're just darn cute.

3. Mini books have been popular for 4,000 years (see photos below).
4. They are more economical since they are often much less expensive to make and purchase.
5. They are more environmentally friendly, because they use less paper, and inspire you to write smaller.

This was a short manifesto, but I'll be continuing my rant in further posts. Until then, here's a picture of the little recipe book I made for myself this weekend.

For more information on the history of the mini book, go to the Lilly Library's online exhibition, here. And here are a few more pictures on the history of the mini book:

Mini Manuscript: "Book of Hours, Bruges?, Belgium, ca. 1440." from the Lilly Library

Also from the Lilly LibraryCuriosities of the Tower of London, Vol. I. London: Printed for Tho. Boreman, 1741.

Prayer book in French, 1881 from Etsy shop: LucieTalesVintage 

Miniature French-English Dictionary (1961) for sale in sinstuff's Etsy shop.

If you're interested in making your own mini accordion book, go here for a picture tutorial: http://www.bookbindingteam.com/2011/11/mini-book-photo-tutorial.html

Also: found this just now; the miniature book society: http://www.mbs.org/