Make a leather journal cover (and junk journal too)
Adult Class | Registration opens 11/3/2026 10:00 AM MDT
A travelers style notebook is a refillable “perpetual” journal system that holds multiple sketchbooks, planners, notebooks within its leather cover. Craft a beautiful, refillable leather journal cover — perfect for writers, artists, planners or anyone who likes to keep a journal system in their bags. In this workshop we will build a complete wrap-style leather journal from start to finish, customizing it with embossing, charms, rivets, patches or embroidery to make it uniquely yours. We will also cover how to make a saddle stitch junk journal to use right away.
First class with cover making the journal cover and starting customizing and the second will be finishing up personalizing and making our notebooks!
- Great for beginners but more experienced people are always welcome! No prior leatherworking or bookmaking experience needed. You’ll learn basic leathercraft and bookmaking techniques to create something both functional and deeply personal, for you or a loved one!
- All leather supplies provided. If you have small charms, broken jewelry, or collected odds and ends you want to add to your journal cover or inserts, make sure to bring them! I will do my best to provide a bunch of enticing objects, but it’s always more personal if you bring your own things. If there is a specific size of notebook you would like to put inside this cover, bring it so we can make sure it fits!
Emerson Alexander
Emerson Alexander is a printmaker, fiber lover and visual artist from Denver, Colorado. She received her BFA from from the Maryland Institute College of Art in May 2022; graduating Magna Cum Laude in printmaking and humanities with minors in illustration and book arts.
Her work is largely filled with references to an obsession with printed ephemera and bygone eras. She frequently blends history and accessibility into her classes, with the goal of exposing young artists to many different mediums and their connection to the world around them.
Learn more about the artist and her work: https://emersonalexander.cargo.site/