Productivity

Productivity is an issue for me. Even doing something I enjoy, like bookbinding for instance, takes motivation that I sometimes lack. While I don't have any great tips to combat procrastination or remedy a lack of motivation, I will say that guilt can be a powerful incentive. Sometimes the only reason I get to working on a project is because I know I'll hate myself later for not working on it. Luckily, I've been pretty focused for the last week or so. I made a handful of new books for my Etsy shop, including some accordion fold books, mini notebooks, and a Coptic bound sketch journal.

The most difficult to make out of these items is the Coptic bound sketch journal. The Coptic stitch is good for a variety of reasons; it's visually pleasing on an exposed spine and it allows the book to lie completely flat when opened, making it ideal for constructing sketch books. I learned how to do this stitch this past summer while I was living in Washington, DC. The Utrecht art supply store there had a ridiculously inexpensive ($5) workshop one afternoon and I attended. It wasn't hard to learn but it is hard to master and it takes a great deal of patience, which is something else I often fall short on. However, based on the way the journal (pictured above) came out, I'd say I'm getting it. You can expect to see many more sketch journals soon in my shop. If you like what you see, please don't hesitate to contact me about custom orders.

In other news, one of my products was included in another Etsy treasury, this one featuring items in primary colors. Having my work recognized is a good reward for getting so much done lately. I guess I'd better keep it coming.