Owlin' around....

Workin' on some new designs today, to incorporate into A5 journals.

I've had such an attraction to birds of late, so I've finally decided to do bring some Finki birds into the world. Today's focus is on owls in particular.

I will do a budgie or finch down the track, but I thought I'd start with an owl.
They are so much like cats almost, which might sound odd, but after sketching a few you realise that without the defining beak and wings they sort of have a cat silhouette. Probably those cute little ear things they have.

So I haven't narrowed it down yet, but I do like pudgy ones, with a retro inspired pattern on there bellies, and I haven't decided whether or not I'll go for a sketch or if I'll just use the sketch as an outline to create a collage owl. Hmmm...

On the A5 journal front, I have been redesigning. Mainly as a response to feedback at the market.

1: Do you have any with thicker covers.
2: Gee's they're expensive! (which I guess isn't really feedback, just criticism)

But....it's important to hear what everyone has to say, and then take it with a grain of salt.
Now traditionally, I create original artwork for my journals. Print them on 210 gsm card stock, laminate, trim and hole punch them, before spiral binding them to 200 pages of lined or plain paper.

For my first batch, I cut my own papers. My little guillotine only does 10 pages at a time so by the time you get 200, it ends up being a timely process and maybe not all that peter perfect straight either. I went down this road because I really wanted them to be handmade....not just art covers attached to a pre made in china backing book. My thought process was that they would be art journals or sketch books, but people asked for lined pages too.

For the life of me I cannot find lined pages, made in Aus, that I can cut up into the size I need, or a good quality cartridge paper to use for ink pens e.t.c.
If you have any ideas, I'm all ears.
I've scouted out the option of buying the art journals and putting my own covers on, but it seems a cop out. So for now I'm using 100% recycled paper, hand cut and punched. It takes longer, but I feel it's a little more authentic and I can proudly call it handmade.

I have been readdressing my covers too. I really really like a more grungy, artsy, recycled look, and sometimes think my stuff is a bit too polished. So no more laminate.

For my new range of covers I have used recycled board, original illustrations and text from old books, hand stitching and of course a little bit of collage and original Finki artwork.

So, addressing my feedback,
they do have thicker covers ....... but......they are not any cheaper.
Sorry customer number 2, but if you want original art journals cheaper than$12, I can not sacrifice quality and originality just to pump out something made in china and mass produced.

In saying that though....I am trying my bestest to finalise some sketch pads, similar in make to an exercise book. It will have less pages and a less involved making process, therefore working out a bit cheaper.
I can't please every one, but I'll sure try.