One thing I've noticed about blogs that always disappoints me - I can't smell them. Call me old fashioned, but I still enjoy the look and feel and smell of books. Especially leather bound books. And for personal writing, there's nothing that is better than a journal with a nice thick leather cover to encase high quality paper. The kind of paper that just begs to be written on. In ink. It brings out the inner-Walt Wittman in me.
Leather journals have for me always symbolized classic, authentic quality. Our country's forefathers kept leather journals (in fact, Benjamin Franklin started what is generally considered to be the first public library in America in 1734). The Old West may have been won with guns, but it was the leather-bound journals that documented the feat. And what was that gift that Michelle Obama gave to Laura Bush on Inauguration Day? A leather journal and pen. Classic.
This is why we at Full Moon Rising, Inc. were so excited about finding Rustico, a proud Made in USA company based on the outskirts of Provo, Utah. Rustico recognized this rich tradition of fine leather tomes, and celebrates our rustic heritage with top-grain American cowhide products expertly hand-crafted by their team of artisans.
Isaac Childs, founder and President of Rustico, told me that he started making leather journals when, in the course of his travels, he found that the fancy and expensive imported journals he was buying were "getting trashed; I needed a journal that would last a while." He taught himself all about leather, and with a couple of book binding courses, he fashioned for himself some journals that would, in his own words, "withstand some serious traveling." He began making journals for friends and family, who were delighted with the all-natural quality and unique styling. Word quickly spread, and local companies began to press Isaac to make leather books and binders for them in that rough-hewn look, and in a few short years, Rustico was born. Soon after that, he was producing products for the likes of Disney, HBO and Oprah.
Rustico can personalize their products with a classic debossing process, which imprints the image into the leather, or for complex images, they can go high-tech and laser engrave the leather, producing amazingly crisp and detailed reproductions which really pop. But the real key to Rustico's success is its American top-grain leathers which are tanned and processed specifically to Rustico's specifications. "That's really rare," Isaac told me. Most leather products currently offered by other manufacturers use Chinese leather, and there's little thought given to the tanning process. By partnering with American leather producers and opting for high-quality eco-friendly paper, Isaac can ensure that every product meets his high standards for durability. And let me tell you, they look great!
So if you're sick of being 'ridden hard and hung up wet' by your overseas producer, give Full Moon Rising, Inc. a call and let us help you get those burrs out of your hide. And your logo onto some perfectly tanned hides which will make your customers want to saddle up with you!
L to R: Isaac Childs, President Rustico LLC; Brian Fallon, FMR Inc; Patrick White, Rustico Marketing; and Craig Daly, Rustico Sales Manager at the PPAI Show in Las Vegas, NV in Jan 2009.
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