The Superior Labor is another brand I love. It has a very rustic, utilitarian aesthetic that reminds me of Traveler’s Company, but with a wider range of products. They have stunning leather and canvas handbags, quality leather notebook covers that… Read More ›
I was an early adopter of traveler’s notebooks. In the beginning there was almost nothing to choose from if you did not want the basic brown and black covers made by what was then Midori, now Traveler’s Company. I stumbled… Read More ›
We were due to be in South Africa at the moment, but the flights were cancelled due to COVID-19. For the same reason, we are avoiding travel to see family elsewhere in Sweden. And not using public transport unless necessary…. Read More ›
These gorgeous bags are made by Justin, the supremely talented partner of one of my favourite clients. He is in the process of building an online store (links below) and honing his craft but he is insanely talented and… Read More ›
The story of Janet Leather (aka JL) is fairly well-known within Van Der Spek circles. I discovered the first hide of JL packed far away on a shelf and asked if I could have a binder made with it. Initially… Read More ›
I have written many times in my blog about five year diaries. I love them because they can be used in so many ways and they are still compact. This one is the Hobonichi five-year Techo, which is made of… Read More ›
This leatherwork is absolutely stunning. Find Oxana and Alex from ArtelSlivin on Etsy here. I don’t have any of their work but they have 100% 5-star reviews. They do notebook covers, passport covers, wallets, purses, cardholders, bracelets, dog collars, and could… Read More ›
When Steve Morton and I were at Van Der Spek in Puttershoek a few weeks ago, I spotted this beauty in the workshop. It is a custom Codex cover made for a Hobonichi weeks planner and was a return so… Read More ›
I have two binders and a notebook in Janet Leather 104, which is the original tan version of this leather. The binder below is the first item made from the battered scarred hide I found at the factory in 2014…. Read More ›
Irene was visiting the Van Der Spek factory while Steve and I were there and I absolutely loved her black Janet Leather Nodex (Nomad traveler’s notebook cover + Codex Hobonich cover = Nodex). This can thus be used as both… Read More ›
