Hail and well met my friends!

Welcome to Argent Lion Leatherworks! I specialize in handmade leather journals and sketchbooks and sooo much more.

I am sure that you have noticed that this account has a pretty low feedback, well, since I turned my hobby into a business, I figured it was high time that my business have a chance to stand on its own merit. So, Argent Lion Leatherworks now has its own eBay ID and account. You all know me as Nykodymus here. I have 260+ 100% positive feedback, so you know you can trust me. I take pride in my feedback and will strive to continue the tradition of honesty, respect, and customer service that you have come to expect from me.

The Cover
Each book is rough cut from the very best 4oz to 6oz leather I can get my hands on. The interior flap folds perfectly over the paper to protect your innermost thoughts and works of art, while the cover flap laces securely at the opening to insure a smooth, yet tough housing for the edges of the paper. The standard Journal/Sketchbook is stiff and semi-rigid to provide a stable writing platform in your lap. It will soften up with time and use to really bring out its beauty and natural personality.

The Spine
The 8oz leather spine is hand cut and punched to provide a rigid, stable base to which the paper is secured by hand stitching, which is then screwed to the leather book cover using the finest nickel plated, brass, and blackened steel screws for a tight, sure fit. I never, ever use any machine to sew or cut my books.

The Paper
The pages I use for these one of a kind creations is a lightly textured, heavy-weight (24 Lbs), acid-free, lignin-free (Naturally found in wood – is removed in the making as additional insurance against aging or yellowing over time) archive quality ivory parchment paper that keeps and holds ink for a smooth, no seepage surface for all your writing and artistic needs.

Each bundle of ten pages (that’s 40 surfaces!) is laced tightly to the rigid spine with waxed, artificial sinew, insuring a secure fit that will not loosen up over time. Each book contains 200 pages of this fine paper.

The Book
The primitive design of these fantastic books is a large part of their beauty. Extremely attractive and durable, they can easily be customized as well. Think of it, your own, handmade, custom journal / sketchbook that catches the eye as it lays open on the table beside your favorite cup coffee or glass of wine. Now that’s what you call simple elegance.

When I am out at my favorite coffee shops, or even on a break at work, an writing in my own colonial style journal, I am constantly asked, "Where did you buy that gorgeous journal?". I just smile and tell them that I made it! Once they touch it, I know that I've just sold another one. People love leather, and they love unique items of apparent quality as well.

It’s an amazing conversation piece to add class and elegance to any coffee table or bookcase. It’s no exaggeration when I tell you that I have never been so popular, as I seem to be now when I am seen with this classic, colonial style journal.

So, having given you some background on it, I now offer you the following book!

You get what YOU want!!
(1) Your Choice of Coal Black, Dark Mahogany, Timber Brown, or Range Tan, 4-5oz basic leather journal / sketchbook with a corded leather screw-back Concho closure. It also contains 200 pages of the highest quality archive paper as mentioned before, in the natural brown interior. The dimensions of the book are 9.25" L x 6.5" W x 1.75" Thick when closed. The paper dimensions are 8.5" L x approx. 5.5" W. If you win the auction, I’ll send you a pic and list of the Concho’s I have in stock that you can choose from or you can go online at www.argentlionleatherworks.com and choose one from there! Please allow 3-10 days after payment is received to construct your book to your specifications. Also, I can send you pictures of the different dying styles that can really make your book stand out! Once you win the auction, wait for me to invoice you after we talk about what exactly you want. I want to make sure that you get a fair price quote and have a clear vision of what it is you want for your book before you pay.

This is the kind of leather book that keeps looking better the more you use it. Every scratch, marring, discoloration, ding, and dent gives it more character and increases its own unique style. These are really tough books, made to last several lifetimes! Don't ever be afraid to knock this thing around, it can take it! Don’t you want something that your grandchildren will fight over when you are gone? Ever think about what it might be like to leave your own unique insights and thoughts in print so that others may glimpse the world and you as you have seen it? Here is your chance.

If you want a journal or sketchbook that reflects the very best of what you are, you might consider picking one up from me. Sometimes a simple grooved border is enough to give it that finished look. Maybe having your initials on the spine in a beautiful ivy script would be more reflective of your personality. A rugged western style script for your initials is another consideration, or perhaps you re so totally unique and enigmatic that you your initials in Elder Futhark Runic script is what you’re looking for.

Each of us is unique, and I can’t think of a better way to express that than with a hand crafted, quality leather journal. Don’t settle for the cheap pieces of …. (I’m too polite to express myself freely here) from book stores. You know the ones that I am talking about. The thin, cheap upholstery leather/vinyl with the thin, fragile copy paper that’s permanently stitched to the cover with inferior thread…come on, really, a piece of thread for a book wrap? I am almost embarrassed to see them or even mention them in this ad.

Suffice it to say that there is NO comparison between my books and those…others…

The pictures barely do it justice. The price is about half what you'd pay for the same or similar size and inferior quality. The starting price is $40.00 USD. I put a lot of time, effort, and research into this pattern. I know what they are worth and believe me, you are getting an amazing deal.

I also offer custom services to cover and bind existing books as well. Imagine it, taking your favorite book (paperback or hardback) and having a beautiful colonial style cover made for it to give it new life and a personality of its own! Of course, this means that you’d have to send the book to me so I could bind it to the spine and custom cut the leather for it.

If you want a smaller book, we can work that as well. I have a really great pattern now for a book about half the size of a regular journal that’s perfect for purses, satchels, etc!

Here is a list of custom modifications that I can do as well, if you are the winning bidder!

Book Customizing Options:

Lined Paper + $5.00
Custom Paper/Inserts (Bordering, graph style, etc) + $5.00 to $10.00
Stylized paper (Color, Weight, Cover Sheet, etc) + $15.00 to $25.00
Decorative/Colored Spine Screws + $3.00
Leather lace Edging + $35.00

Grooved Border  + $10.00

Intricate Border Tooling + $15.00 - $25.00 (depending on complexity)
Pen Holder + $15.00
Paper Refills for Colonial Style Journal + $15.00

Paper Refills for Colonial Style Lined paper + $20.00

Initials: (3 Letters / 3 different styles to choose from!! ¾ Inch) + $3.00

Distressing (Makes the leather softer and pliable) + $10.00

Codex Binding (Change out your own pages anytie you want!!!) + $30.00

Rush Order (Your book will be done and shipped within 72 hours) + $75.00*

* Shipping is your responsibility!

MUCH MUCH MORE!!!!

Anything Else? Ask, We can make it happen!!!

Feel Free to contact me with any questions you might have! Also, see my lifetime guarantee on my website @ www.argentlionleatherworks.com

When requesting an invoice, please make sure that you send me the following information so that I can invoice you accurately and as soon as possible. You can find everything you need to answers these questions here! http://www.argentlionleatherworks.com/BookStyleChoices.html

1. Choose the color of your book!
2. Choose the color style of your book (i.e., Short Stroke, Long Stroke, solid Stroke)
3. Choose the screw back color (Anything beyond nickel stainless will cost extra).
4. Choose the paper style (Comes with Plain parchment paper).
5. Choose the cover style (i.e., Fold Over, Fold Under, Open face)
6. Choose closure style (i.e., Knotted Leather Cord, Concho (Specify which Concho)
7. Choose any other custom options (i.e., Bordering, Initials, Stamping, etc.)

The sooner I know what you want, the sooner you can pay me and I can get to work on it!

Here are the actual words of a few clients that I was very pleased to work with!

“Thank you Travis for all the hard work and passion you put into making my custom sketchbook!  It is exactly what I wanted- there is truly nothing else out there like it.  I appreciate the thoroughness, creativeness, and exceptional communication.  It was so exciting to have you take an idea that you haven’t done before and bringing it to fruition.  Thank you so much!”
- Kim G.- Los Angeles, CA

“Hi Travis, The journal in BEAUTIFUL!! My son loved the journal. He has already started writing/drawing in it. Thank you for the great personal sevice and wonderful craftmanship you provide!! Have a wonderful day!”
- Lea G.- Pfafftown, NC

"The journal I had made for me was amazingly done.  It was more than I could have ever asked for and had all the beauty of a hand-made, one-of-a-kind book.  You can tell that it will get more beautiful as time wears on.  Could not have asked for anything more.  (And not to mention how great Travis was at communicating through the whole process)  Thanks, Travis!  I will recommend you to anyone!"
- Loretta N. - Seattle, WA

"I am beyond wowed by the journal I just received.  It is truly a unique, one-of-a-kind, beautiful work of art that cannot be replicated.   I am very excited to give this as a gift and I know it will be treasured.  Thank you so much for this gorgeous book!"
- Paulina P. - New York, NY

Why should you consider hiring me to work on a custom Journal or Sketchbook? Here are a few reason that you might want to consider!

1.     A unique gift for that special person that you know that is so hard to buy for, that really appreciates quality!

2.     To have a Custom made book that reflects your sense of style, quality, and taste.

3.     One-of-a-kind item that NO ONE else has ever gotten you, that you‘ve always wanted!

4.     Why settle for something pre-made when you can have it made to your own specification?!

SHIPPING NOTE: The flat rate shipping does not apply to INTERNATIONAL  or NON-CONTINENTAL orders. I normally don't ship internationally, so I have to contact my shipping person and get a quote from them...it takes time to do that, so please be patient.

    I will not declare your item as a gift to avoid customs if you live outside the U.S..  I'm a man of integrity and lying isn't consistent with who I am.  Plus, it isn't worth the fines and possible prison time for fraudulent claims with the customs.  If you would like me to send it to an address in the U.S. and they send it on to you as a gift, that’s entirely up to you…

Thank you for your patience and I look forward to working on your book!

Ok, if you’ve read this ad more than once, you might as well send me the list of specifications that you’ve already written out, and give me your address so that I can get your box ready for shipping…*grins*