A PAY IT FORWARD blog post.
Here at Transient Books, we have been making custom books for humans all over the planet via the internet since 2001. I'm always grateful that my work involves interacting with the best part of humans: their generous, sensitive, thoughtful side.
I open emails each morning, and I'm greeted by individuals who have other individuals in mind for whom they would like to make a special gift. Almost always the email begins with, "I don't know if this is possible but..."
It is very satisfying to get to respond regularly, "Of course this is possible!"
In 2011 when we celebrated 10 years online, I had hoped to somehow create a book ABOUT all the books we make (or ABOUT all the great ideas our clients have) but, unfortunately, the year slipped away from me. We're always so busy making books for other folks, we don't always get around to creating our own. All the same, the idea has never left me.
I find it difficult to begin because I simply do not know how to summarize the hundreds of inspiring books we've had the privilege to make, but here I'd love to #payitforward with a sampling of what a typical day for us is like. So now, to celebrate 15 years online, here's a start...
We are often touched by the beautiful quotes (so many!) people choose for their journal and sketchbook covers:
"Kiss your life, accept it, just as it is. Today. Now. So that those moments of happiness you're waiting for don't pass you by."
"The world of reality has its limits; the world of imagination is boundless." --Jean-Jacques Rousseau
"No matter what people tell you, words and ideas can change the world." -- Robin Williams
As a writer, another favorite of mine are the blank journal covers or notebook covers people design for aspiring writers or journalers:
A classic here in the studio is people creating blank books that have a book or manuscript title the receiver hasn't yet written, but has obviously dreamed about bringing to life. Nothing as inspiring as seeing your dream book title already in print:
Along the same lines, the composer's journals, or the musician's notebooks full of blank sheet music are the brightest star here in the studio. So many people have musicians and composers nearby by they want to support and inspire! That is good for the planet!
"Music washes away from the soul the dust of everyday life."
"Shoot for the moon. Even if you miss it, you will land among the stars."
"Music speaks what cannot be expressed
Soothes the mind and gives it rest
Heals the heart and makes it whole
Flows from heaven to the soul."
We do a number of projects for weddings and/or for fiancées. (As a matter of fact, so many that this topic deserves it's own blog post.) This custom hard back slip case was designed by the groom, and has been a favorite of mine for years:
Or how about this young gal who gave her husband-to-be this custom scrapbook, based on the Pixar movie UP!?
Another treasured design we can identify with very much are the diaries parents create for their new children:
Or grandmothers for their daughters and granddaughters...
"I carry your heart with me,
I carry it in my heart.
I am never without it.
Anywhere I go you go, My Dear."
--EE Cummings
Another lovely habit our clients have is making travel journals for loved ones. Sometimes the journey is physical, and sometimes spiritual. No matter what, a personalized diary is a dependable travel companion.
"And above all,
watch with glittering eyes
the whole world around you
because the greatest secrets
are always hidden in the most unlikely places.
Those who don't believe in magic
will never find it."
--Roald Dahl
"What we are -- Leap of Faith -- What we want to be
MAKE THE JUMP"
What I love, deeply, is the human characteristic that ceaselessly seeks to inspire and support loved ones. (What if we did it for total strangers, too?) The instinct to capture--explore--thought processes on paper brings about transformation and self knowledge. In my tiny corner of the planet, out here on the end of this dirt road, no matter what the news tells me about the world, every day at work I am immersed in this positive energy. When we started making #customboundbooks, we never could have imagined that the activity would be so positive, so generous, so worth paying forward.
We are grateful, and optimistic. 