Exceptional Hand Bound Books and Die Cut Storage Tips

Each time I send out the All Things Paper newsletter, I include a reader's tip about a process, tool, or material they've discovered that works especially well. Melissa Schnaible, a bookbinder and quiller in Ohio, let me know about about her convenient method of storing cutting machine dies.

I asked her to elaborate on it here, but since this is the season of gifting, before we get to Melissa's how-to, I'd like to guide you to the perfectly hand bound, reasonably priced books and framed quilling that she creates for her shop, Pendant Paper [edit: now closed, but Melissa accepts orders via direct message on Instagram where she is @pendantpaper].

decorative journal with red and metallic gold cover and lined white pages

Red and Gold Lined Journal

Journals, sketchbooks, and miniature books are things that people might not consider buying for themselves, yet would appreciate receiving. Having ordered one of Melissa's book to give this Christmas, I can assure you that as lovely as her photos are, the books are even prettier in person.

For example, the cover of this red and gold journal practically glows. It is covered with recycled cotton paper from India in a screen-printed thistle and leaf pattern. Inside are eighty lined pages and the front and back cover endpapers are red, cream and black with flecks of gold.

decorative handmade sketchbook with half circle cut out cover and succulent patterned paper

Is there anything more popular than succulents at the moment? I nabbed this beauty, but Melissa welcomes custom orders if you want one too. Prefer not to wait? The version below is made with the same gorgeous papers and is in the shop at the moment. A sale is on now through Sunday, 12/15/19 - $10 off any $50 purchase with code COUPONTEN.

handmade sketchbook with succulent patterned cover

Succulent Plants Sketchbook

You know the way I'm always saying I love a bit of metallic shine? Well, I also happen to love the combination of blue and purple so you might have to fight me for this journal with its shiny copper highlights. By the way, the shop accepts Etsy gift cards.

marbled paper journal with hand bound cover

Marbled Coptic Journal

This handsome autumn leaf journal has a linen thread coptic binding. The interior endpapers are special too with a golden metallic wavy line grid pattern.

autumn leaf design coptic stitch hand bound journal

Autumn Leaf Journal

Here's a lovely sketchbook covered with marbled paper and teal bookcloth, and filled with artist-quality paper. A neat thing about the hand stitched, tacked binding is that it allows the book to lay flat when opened at any page, great for drawing or writing.

Marbled Teal and Yellow Sketchbook

Onward to Melissa's fine quilling... this framed Art Deco alphabet sampler in black and shiny gold with on-edge letters is a total wow.

Quilled Alphabet Sampler

Dare I mention Valentine's Day? It isn't too early to seriously consider this quilled heart mandala. There are two other equally pretty mandala designs in the shop as well.

Framed Heart Mandala

So now that you know what to get the book and quilling admirers on your list, here's an Etsy-curated gift guide for pets and pet lovers.

Details on Melissa's die storage system:

cork-framed board for easy access to cutting machine dies

"Here's a great way to store dies and see all that you have at a glance. I have them hanging above my workspace... it's such a time saver to just look up to see what I need, pull it off the board, and return it easily. It saves digging through stacks and boxes to find what I need. Also, many times while creating I just lift my head and spot something that’s perfect for my project that I might not have thought of otherwise."

craft room with cork framed boards for die storage and work desk with additional crafting supplies

"I made them by covering whiteboards from Hobby Lobby with magnetic sheets from Michael's. The boards have a nice frame with a cork strip all around where things like die overflow or quilling paper strips can be hung. The magnetic sheets can be cut to fit any configuration. I adhered mine with double-sided tape, but you might be lucky enough to find some that are adhesive backed."

Visit Pendant Paper on Instagram and contact her there if you wish to purchase any item you see in this post or have her create a custom order.

Update: I recently gave one of Melissa's handmade book ornaments with turnable pages to a young girl on my gift list... she was smitten! They're ideal as present toppers for bibliophiles too.