Welcome! My name is Lynda and I’m the artist behind the shop. I graduated from the American Academy of Art in Chicago and Columbia College Chicago and have done commissioned portraits, murals, faux finishes, and collage. I’ve worked with oils, pastels, charcoal and played around with just about every medium out there.

A couple years ago I took a bookmaking course and found that I loved it! I can use everything I’ve learned over the years to create new, one-of-a-kind journals, while still learning something new every day. 

Journaling offers so many wonderful benefits! Use your journals to stay focused on your goals, vacation memories, affirmations and inspirational quotes, or anything else!

Every journal is a labor of love and one-of-a-kind. A blank page can be a little intimidating so I spend hours selecting and combining the right papers to complement each book’s story, choosing fabrics and trims, hand-finishing the spine, and sewing the signatures. I want you to have plenty of options so you can find a journal that truly fits your needs. 

While some books are new, most of our books come from library sales, flea markets, secondhand bookstores, resale/vintage shops, and generous friends. The papers and ephemera (mostly) come from three art supply resale shops near me. Because most journals are made from previously loved books, they might show signs of wear from their original owners — but we only use books that are in good condition. I use that parts I can – sometimes the whole book, sometimes just the images. 

These journals are offered through my Etsy shop: