How to choose a handmade leather notebook?

A handmade leather notebook should match what you intend to use it for. First, choose the format, then the closure, and finally the paper. A small book is easy to carry. A larger one offers more space for thoughts and sketches. The right choice, therefore, is more about your daily life than about one specific model.

I understand the temptation to simply choose the most beautiful one. But when a notebook is to be used again and again, the feel in the hand, the space on the page, and the way it closes are just as important as the cover.

Which size handmade leather notebook suits you?

Start by deciding where the book will reside. Should it lie on your desk, be in your bag, or accompany you on a journey? Our current selection includes formats such as 13 x 18 cm, 15 x 23 cm, and 16.5 x 24 cm. The smaller formats take up less space in your bag. The larger ones provide more room for longer notes, recipes, sketches, or thoughts you want to gather in one place.

If you write with large movements or like to draw, a larger format can be pleasant. If you mainly write short notes, a smaller book might be easier to use in everyday life. See the full selection of handmade leather notebooks and compare the measurements on the specific product page. The measurements are verified on the current items, but the models have different details.

You can place a book of similar dimensions on your desk or in your bag. This gives a more concrete sense of the format than the numbers alone.

Should the notebook have a tie, lock, or elastic?

The closure changes both the look and how you use the book. A tie needs to be wrapped around the cover and gives a simple, handmade feel. A small leather lock holds the cover together more securely. An elastic is quick to open and close when the book is used frequently throughout the day.

In Molly's Heart's current assortment, you can find a notebook with a tie closure and a lockable notebook in bridle leather. Both are in stock now, but they suit different habits. Ask yourself if you want a quick everyday item or a small ritual when the book is opened. There isn't one correct answer. There is only the solution you will actually use.

Try to imagine the situation where you will most often write. The more precisely you envision it, the easier it is to choose the closure.

What to look for in the paper?

The paper determines which tools and ideas the book is suitable for. Some of the current notebooks have handmade paper, which the product text describes as treated for ink, pens, and watercolor. Others have cotton fiber pages with a slight texture. The lockable model of 15 x 23 cm is described with 180 pages.

Therefore, choose based on what you want to write or create. For short notes, simple writing comfort might be most important. For sketches or color, the paper's texture and the product's own information about suitable tools can be crucial. Always read the specific description and feel free to test a new tool carefully on a page at the back. This way, you protect both the book and what you want to preserve in it.

If you switch between pencil, pen, and color, choose based on the most demanding tool. This makes the book more suitable for your entire purpose.

Why do handmade notebooks vary from book to book?

The craftsmanship can be seen in the small differences. The collection text explains that natural variations in leather and processing make each item unique. Therefore, color, embossing, and surface cannot be expected to be completely identical from book to book. This is worth knowing if you are used to uniform factory-made goods.

Our notebook collection includes handmade products from Senegal, Burkina Faso, and South Africa. On each product page, you will find information about the specific model you are looking at. You can also compare it with the large camel leather notebook if you want more space on the page. Molly's Heart chooses craftsmanship with history, but the book truly becomes yours only when you fill it with something that matters to you.

Therefore, see the variation as part of the choice. This makes it easier to appreciate each book as it truly is, rather than expecting a copy.

Thank you for reading. I hope you find a book that invites you to open it.

Sincerely,
Birgitte