Hand Stitched Notebook Test Result

Miss Linda, a friend, has been testing my notebook since Jan. 2011. This week, she allowed me to record her review to put on YouTube. As I did with Marielle’s review, we did not prepare for the video, just went straight to recording.

The notebook Linda was testing is smaller than the final product because the cutter had an imperfection and I had cut the sides once more with the new cutter.

With the new notebook, Linda noticed that it wasn’t easy to tell which side is the front. I’m so glad she noticed it, otherwise I’d hear it from my customers.

My solution is to put a notch on the front cover. This worked out great, now you can see what color is on the inside! And with this fix, I’m ready to make the notebooks for my shop. I’ll post again when they are ready!

I like to thank Linda for doing this! I’m so happy the hear that she didn’t want to be without it, hope it goes the same for all my customers. It’s a small way to make someone’s day better and I am lucky to have the chance to bring that to every NeedsToNote owner.

NeedToNote Hand Stitched Notebook Review

Yes, I finally crossed over, from static images (graphic design) to moving images (YouTube).

My client (for design) and customer (for hand stitched notebook), Marielle, was kind enough to share her review about the “Best Selling Romance” notebook she bought from my Etsy shop.

I know it might be hard for potential customers to believe what Marielle said in the video review since I did the taping. However, we did not prepare for it at all, no script, no run through.

A side note: sorry you can’t see the stitching from the video, so be sure to find it in the “Best Selling Romance” listing page.

No matter what may come of it, I want to thank Marielle, The Money Whisperer, for being a friend and a supporter!

Origin of My Etsy Adventure

I’ve lost my interest in craft show a while back because every show looks the same. On one cold, rainy day, I decided to visit a holiday craft show, just because.

And as expected, nothing stood out… until I got to the last room. At a corner, columns of square frames caught my eyes. What can I say, I’m a square who loves squares.

Close up, I saw in each frame, interesting matching background image and decorative magnets. The clean and stylish aesthetic was calming compared to the visual noises from other booths. Some even had neon color words scribbled on the clear surface. My favorite, Functional Art!

Before I left, I couldn’t help but to go back for another look. And there she was, the artist rearranging her work. Miss K (Magna Memos) told me she’s a scientist who does this for fun. Ah ha! That’s why I like her stuff. We are both have the logical mind, I, being an engineer in my former life.

She pointed me to Etsy and since that moment on, I knew I should give my handmade notebooks and myself a chance on Etsy.

Few months into the development, as I was stitching up a notebook together, a flash of insight struck me – everything I’ve ever learned all went into making this pile of paper into something beautiful and functional. It took engineering to figure out the best format and process, design to create the desire effects, and writing to inspire more ideas and marketing.

Thank you, Miss K for creating and for taking the time to show me the way.