A6 Recovered Hardback Sketch Notebook
Each of these unlined A6 sketch notebooks feature a different hardback cover made using specially selected pages extracted from old discarded books. It's a special 'One of a Kind' stationery item like no other in the entire world!
Why we love it
- Repurposed from an old, unused book that has been thrown out
- Thick blank pages ideal for notes, journaling, doodling or sketching
- Hand made in a social employment facility offering paid work to local people with poor job prospects
The idea for About Blanks started in 2013 when founder Kjell Betlem was studying at the Willem de Kooning Academie and spent a lot of time in the central library in Rotterdam. He came across a pile of old books at the back of the library that had been written off. He felt quite sad that people weren't reading these books anymore, and noticed how beautiful the covers were and how special they smelt. When Kjell realised that one book didn’t even have a title on the cover, he could imagine it being brought back to life as a sketchbook, similar to a favourite one he used for drawing in. He decided to take the book home and after learning bookbinding techniques and purchasing some second hand machines for cutting and gluing, the first notebook was ready. Shortly after the first one, he made another for a friend, one for his mother and then for his aunt, and before he knew it he'd found himself starting up a business!
From there the business slowly evolved and moved to new premises in Rotterdam in 2018. Today, About Blanks is still all about re-use and re-purpose. Throughout the whole process it finds ways to work as sustainably as possible, using only FSC certified paper and ensuring any little rubbish produced is recycled. Using books that otherwise would have been thrown out at some point because nobody reads them anymore, is an important part of working sustainably.
Sustainability goes beyond reusing and recycling materials. About Blanks products are made in a social employment facility, where people with a disability or poor job prospects can get paid work and consequently participate in society. The company's ethos is to make products that stimulate personal stories and development, not just for its users but also for its co-workers.
Hardback book cover with FSC approved paper pages.
ROYAL MAIL TRACKED '48' £2.95
This is our standard delivery option (that is free for orders over £30). You will receive a tracking number by text/email. Orders received by 9am weekdays will be sent out the same day, and will usually be delivered two days later (including Saturdays).
ROYAL MAIL TRACKED '24' £4.50
Orders received by 9am weekdays will be sent out the same day, and will usually be delivered the next day (including Saturdays).
DHL EXPRESS NEXT DAY £7.50
Order by 11am weekdays for express delivery. Orders placed after 11am will be dispatched the next working day. Delivery by DHL courier using their express next day service. Deliveries will be made Monday-Friday and a signature will be required on receipt. DHL will be in touch with you directly once your parcel is collected from us with your tracking number.
DELIVERY INSTRUCTIONS
If you include a specific delivery instruction with your order (for example nominating a place for the parcel to be left if you are not at home) then we will attach a note with this information to the front of your parcel if it is being sent by Royal Mail. Please note that this is at your own risk and we will not be responsible if the parcel is left as requested but for some reason is then not received by you.
GREEN TULIP PROMISE
- All parcels are sent the next working day (Mon-Fri) following you placing your order, or same day for most orders placed before 11am.
- All of our parcels are of course sent with plastic free packaging. The only time when you might receive a little plastic in your parcel is if the product you choose has come into us with protective packaging such as shrink that (although we are always encouraging our suppliers to look for better, plastic free solutions).
- Our team take a lot of care with each and every order we receive - that's one of the best things about dealing with a small business! You can see a bit more about how we pack your orders here.
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We hope you will be pleased with your purchase, however should you wish to return anything bought from us, we will be happy to refund or exchange a product provided it is in a fully resalable condition. Returns should be sent back to us within one month of the date of purchase, in their original, undamaged packaging. Please email us for more details.
- Your emails come straight into Cat, our friendly team member who usually reply within a couple of hours. She is at her desk Monday - Friday 9am-3pm.
*excluding Jersey & Guernsey due to required customs documentation.
