Ruth Bleakley book artist

Ruth Bleakley in her home studio in Florida.

Hand painted watercolor fish journal in progress [sold]

All journals are hand-sewn with high quality recycled pages.

Finished Hand painted watercolor fish journal in progress [sold]

I starred in a Japanese reality TV show in 2016!

In paper heaven, surrounded by Chiyogami paper in Tokyo, Japan.

Paper marbling with master marbler in Kyoto, Japan.

A few Handmade journals by Ruth Bleakley! [all sold]

Ruth Bleakley Etsy About Page 2018 Fish - studio 1.jpg

Hi, I’m ruth!

Welcome to my handmade journal shop! Creating beautiful journals is my passion, and I’ve been bookbinding for more than 15 years. I’m inspired by precious materials like marbled paper, created by floating ink on water, and bright and colorful Japanese Chiyogami paper, which is based on kimono patterns.

too much paper? never!

Sometimes I joke that my real love is collecting beautiful paper, and that I learned bookbinding so I'd have a way to show it all off! That’s not true though - I really enjoy the meditative process of bookbinding: cutting and folding paper, pasting covers and sewing a book together. It’s also deeply satisfying to create a useful item that I know will last for years.

Japanese Reality TV

In the summer of 2016 I had the once-in-a-lifetime experience of participating in a Japanese reality TV show (“Nippon Ni Ikitai”) about Paper! I flew to Japan and learned the Japanese paper marbling called Suminagashi and stenciled paper patterns called Katazome. Read more: Ruth's Japan TV Show Trip

I love books!

Reading books is my next favorite thing after making books. My mom, grandma, and my great-aunt were all Librarians. I even tried working at a library too, hoping to carry on the family occupation. However, I found myself drawn toward book repair more than anything else, and eventually found myself back in the studio making my own books.

Featured Journals:

Moon Rising Over the Ocean Journal

$79.00

Size: 4”x6” (approximate)
Covers: I combined Japanese Chiyogami Paper and blue handmade marbled paper, and gold and cream Tibetan paper inspired by the deep blue of the ocean at night as the moon rises. I bound this by hand with coptic stitch binding so it lays flat.
Inside: 160 unlined pages of smooth recycled paper
Uses: art journaling, sketching, writing, fountain pen
Handmade by book artist Ruth Bleakley

• high quality paper with no show through
• compact and portable
• lays flat for easy writing and drawing

Gift box available • One of a kind

Sold

Pink and Blue Marbled Moon Journal

$79.00

Size: 4”x6” (approximate)
Covers: A celebration of two contrasting marbled papers - it reminds me of an otherworldly celestial sky.
Inside: 160 unlined pages of smooth recycled paper
Uses: art journaling, sketching, writing, fountain pen (or do what I do - keep it on display to show off the beautiful covers!)
Handmade by book artist Ruth Bleakley

Gift box included • One of a kind

Sold

Ocean Collage Journal

$79.00

Size: 4”x6” (approximate)
Covers: I combined nautical charts, Japanese Chiyogami Paper and aqua handmade marbled paper, inspired by my long walks on the beach. I bound this by hand with coptic stitch binding so it lays flat.
Inside: 160 unlined pages of smooth recycled paper
Uses: art journaling, sketching, writing, fountain pen
Handmade by book artist Ruth Bleakley

• high quality paper with no show through
• compact and portable
• lays flat for easy writing and drawing

Gift box available • One of a kind

Purple and Blue Marbled Moon Journal

$79.00

Gift box included • One of a kind

Tropical Flower Silk Journal Handmade by Ruth Bleakley 12-23 3.JPG

Sold

Tropical Flowers Painted Silk Journal

$49.00 $99.99

Size: 4”x6” (approximate)
Covers: Painted silk fabric with vibrant pink, green and red flowers - one of a kind
Inside: 160 unlined pages of smooth recycled paper
Uses: art journaling, sketching, writing, fountain pen
Handmade by book artist Ruth Bleakley

• high quality paper with no show through
• compact and portable
• lays flat for easy writing and drawing

Gift box available • One of a kind

Green and Blue Marbled Moon Journal

$79.00

Gift box included • One of a kind

Sold

Blue Diamond and Green Flowers Journal

$39.99 $79.00

Size: 4”x6” (approximate)
Covers: handmade Japanese hand-stenciled Katazome paper featuring green and red flowers paired with blue diamond paper
Interior: 160 unlined pages of smooth 100% recycled paper
Uses: art journaling, sketching, writing, fountain pen

Handmade by book artist Ruth Bleakley

• high quality paper with no show through
• compact and portable
• lays flat for easy writing and drawing

Lavender Springtime Flowers Journal

$79.00

Size: 4”x6” (approximate)
Covers: handmade Japanese chiyogami paper featuring delicate pink, purple and green circles and Block printed Italian paper with purple flowers
Interior: 160 unlined pages of smooth 100% recycled paper
Uses: art journaling, sketching, writing, fountain pen

Handmade by book artist Ruth Bleakley

• high quality paper with no show through
• compact and portable
• lays flat for easy writing and drawing

Golden waves Artist Book

$99.00

Size: 4”x6” (approximate)
Covers: Blue green marbled paper inlaid with geometric gold diamond and blue circle paper with hand-painted gold waves.
Inside: 160 unlined pages of smooth recycled paper
Uses: art journaling, sketching, writing, fountain pen (or do what I do - keep it on display to show off the beautiful covers!)
Handmade by book artist Ruth Bleakley

Gift box included • One of a kind

Springtime Flowers Journal

$79.00

Handmade by book artist Ruth Bleakley

• high quality paper with no show through
• compact and portable
• lays flat for easy writing and drawing

Blue Bathymetric Circle Journal 2

$79.00

Size: 4”x6” (approximate)
Covers: Vintage bathymetric nautical chart mimeographs - these were used in the chart-drawing process as drafts.. This area is around Bangor, Maine. I used the original chart, so this is the only one!
Inside: 160 unlined pages of smooth recycled paper
Uses: art journaling, sketching, writing, fountain pen (or do what I do - keep it on display to show off the beautiful covers!)
Handmade by book artist Ruth Bleakley

Gift box included • One of a kind

Sold

06 Starry Night in the Mountains - Artist Book

$39.00 $99.99

Size: 4”x6” (approximate)
Covers: Chiyogami paper from Kyoto, Japan in a special collage of mountains and night sky
Inside: 160 unlined pages of smooth recycled paper
Uses: art journaling, sketching, writing, fountain pen
Handmade by book artist Ruth Bleakley

• high quality paper with no show through
• compact and portable
• lays flat for easy writing and drawing

Gift box available • One of a kind

journal shop

Contact Ruth