Audrey Oblongata brought Jochen's vision to life with a lovingly crafted notebook, rich in Kenyan tradition and thoughtful, inspiring words. What's your wish?
A request by Jochen from Berlin, Germany
I would like a handmade notebook in the format A6, the material should be produced with a local Kenyan pattern, locally produced in Kenya. I would like a part of a saying from a leso visible on the outside (perhaps even with business relevance). Apart from that I would like the words “Ideen verbinden…”(please include the ellipsis) on the bottom left of the front cover. On the bottom left of the back cover, the English version “Ideas connect …” I’m flexible with the color and open to suggestions.
The Journey of Creating Handmade notebook on customer request
Negotiation & Planning
Handmade notebook on customer request - design ideas and artisan proposals
Hello,am delighted to be able to make you the book. It's hand stitched plain paper and the inner and outer back copies are covered with recycled rose petals paper and finally covered with kitenge material.
Sound very good!
Some clarification though.You want the inside top covers to be written as indicated.
The words written on the lesson are normally African proverbs.so should those words be seen prominently or ....They are usually in a large font so it they can't fit an A6 book.i will look for some samples to show you.
Hello Audrey,
in regards to your question: I would like to have both terms "Ideen verbinden..." and "Ideas connect..." on the outside of the book, probably stitched. In regards to the lesso proverb. I thought about just one word out of a complete proverb. It is okay if I know the proverb (you could probably write it in the inside of the cover to better remember 🙂
Overall feel free to add your thoughts and creativity,
Regards
Hello,
Thanks for your response.My measurements for the book will be 10.5cm by 15 cm.The width is 2 cm thick.Are you okay with that....The words to be stitched;do you want any colour of thread used on the stitching or I just use my discretion.
The pages inside the book will be plain.Is that okay with you?
I am also looking for some sample lessos,will send you the photos later.
sounds all good to me. Just suggest the color for the stiching once we select the fabric
Hello,
I went to search for lessos with some business relevance.sadly most of them are mostly to do with God and the wedding ceremony because that's when they are mostly worn.I picked one that when translated means "focus on the goal",here are the pictures.( I have attached them)
The lessos are really colourful therefore the stitching has to stand out.I thought that we could use gold stitching.The don't of the stitches will be small because the space for an A5 is pretty limited.
Regards
Audrey Oblongata
Hello Audrey,
thank you so much for your effort! I understand the challenge to find something business related. As it is a challenge and the color is even more relevant to me I suggest we just pick the right color. If then there is a single word which makes sense in relation to business we could display this word. I like the green-orange fabric of one of the books displayed above. In regards to the stitching I can imagine that grey or silver could work with this fabric. So from my side all is fine 🙂
Hello, thanks for your prompt response.i will go and look for a lesso in that colour.
If I don't find those specific colours then I will use the same material as the one you have seen and liked but the catch is that it won't have any wording since it's a different type of print called kitenge.Is that okay with you?
Regards
Audrey
yes, that is okay for me
I will start doing the book then.it takes me less than a day.will see d pics of the process
Crafting Process
How to make a Handmade notebook on customer request – work in progress
Hello,
For the stitching I used a crocheting machine to make them since the hand made stitching was too big for the small book.
I hope you like the colour of the thread.
Hello Audrey, it looks very nice. I like it. Could you please send me some more photos from different angels?
Hello,
Thanks for the feedback.I took some more photos and sure hope the lighting is good.Let me know if the photos are okay.
Hi Audrey, there are no new photos displayed?
Hello I did send more photos but it seems like they are not showing on your side.let me reduce their size and resend.
Regards
Audrey
Hello,
Am Resending them.
Audrey
Hello Audrey,
the photos are still not good enough to really see the outcome. It looks like you have also stitched the quotation mark (what was not intended) and left out the three dots after the two words. This changes the meaning into opposite.
I would appreciate if you could change that? And as I said photos from all sides with a bit more light and possibility to read the letters would be great.
Regards
jochen
Hello,
I didn't realise that the dots have a different meaning.Sorry about that.Let me redo and send better photos.
Regards
Audrey
okay
Hello,
I have redone the stitching in red colour.
Thanks
Hello Audrey,
thanks for the update. Now there are the three dots which is correct but as I wrote earlier there should be no quotation marks. The quotation mark makes the meaning different, so need to be removed. Hope this is possibly without too many effort?
Regards
Jochen
Hello,
I will remove the quotation marks for both before and after the word.its not a big deal.
Thanks
Hello,
Here are more photos.
Thanks
Hello Audrey,
it looks better now, but why have you added the three dots also before the quote?
Regards
Jochen
Hello Jochen,
I am getting confused now.You told me to remove the quotation marks and include the elipses from our initial conversations.Please confirm.This is what i did.Am i supposed to remove the elipses both before and after the words.
Regards
Audrey
Hello Aufrey, attaged I send you a photo of the backside of my business card. Hope this explains it better now?
Hello,
I have finally understood what you mean.Will get back to you with more pics after redoing the writing.
Thanks
Audrey
Hello Audrey,
good to hear! Looking forward to it.
Regards
Jochen
Hello,
Finally did it again.please check it out.
Regards
Audrey
Hello Audrey,
it looks great!
Thank you! Looking forward to my new notebook.
Jochen
Hello Jochem,
That's great news.I will add you a free bookmark of the same material.Are you satisfied and that I can now send it for shipment.
Cheers
Audrey.
Hello Audrey,
that sounds great!
Yes, I am satisfied.
Regards
Jochen
Jochem
That's great to know.it was a good learning experience.
Thanks.
Audrey
👍🏾
The Finished Unique Piece – Individually Handmade
Reference: ON001266E-4392
Detailed Cost Breakdown
| Price | |
|---|---|
| Cost of material |
5.58
|
| Cost of labour |
4.65
|
| Cost of packaging |
4.65
|
| Cost of delivery to local operations manager |
4.65
|
| Subtotal – payout to artisan |
19.53
|
| Customer acquisition costs (advertising etc.) |
1.95
|
| Handling fee Urban Change Lab |
1.95
|
| Shipping costs from Kenya to Germany* |
5
|
| VAT (Germany)* |
5.4
|
| Total |
33.83
|
*Shipping costs and VAT vary depending on your location.
Each price shown is based on a unique, custom request. Final prices may vary depending on materials, effort, and delivery location.
