I know you said that the three ring binder with sleeves wasn't your thing, have you considered reinforced binder paper? I'm not sure if you can get completely blank kinds, but I know you can get a kind that is lined on one side and blank on the other. It might give more of a book-like feel. If you don't like the feel of the plastic binder, you could always cover it with a fabric of your choice. I made a book with a denim cover once. The jeans pocket was very useful for pens and other things.
currently im using a sketch book i bought at borders/walden books. i like that i can draw in it with out disrupting the lines that a journal would have. but my handwriting changes so frequently that i definitely miss the organized/clean feeling that i get from my old printed 3 ring binder bos. i am a scrapbooker, so the idea of typing out a ritual/spell/etc on colored cardstock and then pasting it on another paper where i can decorate it and then having it be post bound is intriquing :) BB
lol I HATE WHEN THAT HAPPENS! When you're about to sneeze and it goes away! It's so much more relieving to actually sneeze. I have started several books throughout the years and I have a very large one that I am filling up right now. I had the same concerns as you, with the no-messy thing. What I find works well is that I'll take a separate piece of paper an write on it. When it's perfect, I'll paste it into my book. It gives an old scrapbook feel, which is the style I am going for personally.
There is a fabulous step-by-step (7 videos, I think) on how to make a book of shadows on youtube. Just search for jamiebookofshadows. He/She (I'm not sure!) is making a Charmed BoS, but you can make yours with a pentacle or any design (or none) or any color that you wish. You can make it to hold 8 1/2 x 11 copy paper so that you can type out your pages and rearrange them any way you want. You can even make any size you want.
I have my older one which is a 3 ring binder packed full of stuff-some hand written and some typed. Lately I have discovered doing my BOS in scrapbook form, and love it. I am slowly re-doing some pages and special times to add in there. I have a few videos on how it's done in scrapbook form if you need any tips in that area.
My mom sells scrapbook stuff, as far as I know the size you're looking for in a scrapbook is extremely uncommon for lots of reasons. No one she knows of sells anything other than 12x12 or 6x6. I've been in a similar situation with my BOS as you're in, I bought a bound sketchbook at Hobby Lobby last fall and am using that until I get the space/materials/time to make my own book. Good luck!
@constantine319 I think over the course of doing some online research today, I've figured out what I'm going to do. I'll let you guys know once I have everything; gotta wait on money right now. Ah, real life...
@AnyaPagan I've done alot of research today, and I'm seriously considering just making my own postbound book from the ground up. I think I've done enough research after today to see the options and everything, and I think it's going to be the only way to really get exactly what I want. And I want it to be exactly what I want, so I guess I'll be making the whole thing! LOL I just have to wait on the money to get everything, and then I'll make a vid showing everyone the method I decide on :)
i have the same problem. i've never been able to start a BOS due to fear of messing it up, not knowing which book is going to be THE book i am happiest with, etc. it is SUCH a massive project. . . and i have absolutely no idea WHERE to begin. augh. LOL
Easy do the book neat like you want decorate it and everything, and to solve the handwriting problem just type up the content in word with the font you like then print, cut it out neatly then glue it in with a gluestick. If for some reason you no longer want it out, cut out the page with an exacto knife and it will still look neat.
@AlusaBird2 Yeah I thought about this method, but to be honest, I can be alittle Type A about these things, and even though no one else would know, I would know I glued in the pages, and that would bother me. Thanks though, it's a good idea.
Yes scrapbook is good that way you can expand it. There are scrapbook making tutorials online that you could use to help make the cover if you want to. I hope you do make your dream bos it sounds exciting!
Aw thank you so much for taking the time to mention me :D So kind of you!
I think, if people can make their own tools it's always better as they tend to have a better connection with them, I wish you all the best with it and if you need any advice please let me know :D xx
I dont have a BOS but I am starting to write a diary of sorts which is kinda like a BOS. I bought a journal that I will just use for a years time. Since mostly what I write about is my herbs and garden, the weather, and my cooking I can have yearly journals and then look back on them in later years. I think making your own BOS is mosre personal and you can send your own energies into the book.
I made my own, but that was 8 years ago, and most of it is now far from my path. So I plan to replace the inside of it with binder rings. Since I can't make it four feet thick, I'll have to use it for essentials. Pictures at photobucket . com / galdrabok
@svehex Wow, it's huge! that's really impressive. But yeah that's why I want either a post bound scrapbook that I can make my own, or a binder style, because I know my path will continue to change, and I don't want to have to remake my book every few years, ya know? Especially since what I really want it look like has been in my head for years, so I feel like I"ll probably always love the design, ya know?
@svehex Oh I know what you mean. I though the same thing when I bought that ginormous BOS several years back! LOL Funny how your path almost always changes when you say "I know what I believe!" :)
Why don't just buy square scrapbook, and cut 1/4 of it so it is the size of a book (you can take it to Home Depot if you don't have the right tools). Then you can reupholster it with the fabric of your choice (maybe faux leather) so it looks like an old BOS.
@francoferret That's not a bad idea. I don't really own many tools being an apt dweller, especially larger tools, so I was hoping to avoid that, but I see what you're saying. Never thought of taking it to Home Depot; great idea, thanks!
Anyapagan has posted 4 videos on how she made her own BOS. You could probably preprint the pages and then bind them as shown.
kineticpsi 3 months ago
I know you said that the three ring binder with sleeves wasn't your thing, have you considered reinforced binder paper? I'm not sure if you can get completely blank kinds, but I know you can get a kind that is lined on one side and blank on the other. It might give more of a book-like feel. If you don't like the feel of the plastic binder, you could always cover it with a fabric of your choice. I made a book with a denim cover once. The jeans pocket was very useful for pens and other things.
MissReillyn 5 months ago
@MissReillyn I actually already figured out exactly what I'm going to do. Now to get the time to do it! LOL
fotogrl1 5 months ago
@fotogrl1 Yesh, I am quite slow on the comment uptake. Haha, glad you've figured it out. It'd be great to see it when you're done.
MissReillyn 5 months ago
currently im using a sketch book i bought at borders/walden books. i like that i can draw in it with out disrupting the lines that a journal would have. but my handwriting changes so frequently that i definitely miss the organized/clean feeling that i get from my old printed 3 ring binder bos. i am a scrapbooker, so the idea of typing out a ritual/spell/etc on colored cardstock and then pasting it on another paper where i can decorate it and then having it be post bound is intriquing :) BB
moonowl1001 6 months ago
lol I HATE WHEN THAT HAPPENS! When you're about to sneeze and it goes away! It's so much more relieving to actually sneeze. I have started several books throughout the years and I have a very large one that I am filling up right now. I had the same concerns as you, with the no-messy thing. What I find works well is that I'll take a separate piece of paper an write on it. When it's perfect, I'll paste it into my book. It gives an old scrapbook feel, which is the style I am going for personally.
charliesaysgo 7 months ago
Search "Tutorial: Charmed Book of Shadows, Pt. 1" then look at all 7.
bfc2345 7 months ago
There is a fabulous step-by-step (7 videos, I think) on how to make a book of shadows on youtube. Just search for jamiebookofshadows. He/She (I'm not sure!) is making a Charmed BoS, but you can make yours with a pentacle or any design (or none) or any color that you wish. You can make it to hold 8 1/2 x 11 copy paper so that you can type out your pages and rearrange them any way you want. You can even make any size you want.
bfc2345 7 months ago
hey theres this guy his name is jamie and he shows you how to to make a post bound book realy cheap his channel name is jamiebookofshadows
TRUEBLOODFAN2010 7 months ago
I don't think it needs to be perfect. It just needs to reflect your personality & (in my opinion) should be FUN!
MajorArcanaTV 7 months ago
im going to be posting a how to bind your own BOS really soon.
TheWitchingHour13 7 months ago
maybe you could print out what ever you want to put in it; then paste it on.(:
Lonelylanney 7 months ago
I have my older one which is a 3 ring binder packed full of stuff-some hand written and some typed. Lately I have discovered doing my BOS in scrapbook form, and love it. I am slowly re-doing some pages and special times to add in there. I have a few videos on how it's done in scrapbook form if you need any tips in that area.
WanderingDreamer555 7 months ago
why not try scrapbooks they have post bound and they are cheaper if u mess up plus you can make your own custom cover for it and they have many sizes
missclaritystar 7 months ago
My mom sells scrapbook stuff, as far as I know the size you're looking for in a scrapbook is extremely uncommon for lots of reasons. No one she knows of sells anything other than 12x12 or 6x6. I've been in a similar situation with my BOS as you're in, I bought a bound sketchbook at Hobby Lobby last fall and am using that until I get the space/materials/time to make my own book. Good luck!
constantine319 7 months ago
@constantine319 I think over the course of doing some online research today, I've figured out what I'm going to do. I'll let you guys know once I have everything; gotta wait on money right now. Ah, real life...
fotogrl1 7 months ago
I have some tutorial videos on how to make a book of shadows. Maybe that would work for you. Its a bound book though.
AnyaPagan 7 months ago
@AnyaPagan I've done alot of research today, and I'm seriously considering just making my own postbound book from the ground up. I think I've done enough research after today to see the options and everything, and I think it's going to be the only way to really get exactly what I want. And I want it to be exactly what I want, so I guess I'll be making the whole thing! LOL I just have to wait on the money to get everything, and then I'll make a vid showing everyone the method I decide on :)
fotogrl1 7 months ago
@AnyaPagan I'll still be checking out your vids before I actually make a final decision, though.
fotogrl1 7 months ago
i have the same problem. i've never been able to start a BOS due to fear of messing it up, not knowing which book is going to be THE book i am happiest with, etc. it is SUCH a massive project. . . and i have absolutely no idea WHERE to begin. augh. LOL
AmygdalaMarie 7 months ago
Easy do the book neat like you want decorate it and everything, and to solve the handwriting problem just type up the content in word with the font you like then print, cut it out neatly then glue it in with a gluestick. If for some reason you no longer want it out, cut out the page with an exacto knife and it will still look neat.
AlusaBird2 7 months ago
@AlusaBird2 Yeah I thought about this method, but to be honest, I can be alittle Type A about these things, and even though no one else would know, I would know I glued in the pages, and that would bother me. Thanks though, it's a good idea.
fotogrl1 7 months ago
Yes scrapbook is good that way you can expand it. There are scrapbook making tutorials online that you could use to help make the cover if you want to. I hope you do make your dream bos it sounds exciting!
Midnightwiccan18 7 months ago
Hey hun! BOS! My fave topic! lol
Aw thank you so much for taking the time to mention me :D So kind of you!
I think, if people can make their own tools it's always better as they tend to have a better connection with them, I wish you all the best with it and if you need any advice please let me know :D xx
jackcopal 7 months ago
@jackcopal I'll definitely be asking you a couple of questions for sure :)
fotogrl1 7 months ago
I dont have a BOS but I am starting to write a diary of sorts which is kinda like a BOS. I bought a journal that I will just use for a years time. Since mostly what I write about is my herbs and garden, the weather, and my cooking I can have yearly journals and then look back on them in later years. I think making your own BOS is mosre personal and you can send your own energies into the book.
beccawitch 7 months ago
Theis Lessøeat tlart . dk makes books as well, as a tip for those on the wrong side of the pond to buy from Jack.
svehex 7 months ago
I made my own, but that was 8 years ago, and most of it is now far from my path. So I plan to replace the inside of it with binder rings. Since I can't make it four feet thick, I'll have to use it for essentials. Pictures at photobucket . com / galdrabok
svehex 7 months ago
@svehex Wow, it's huge! that's really impressive. But yeah that's why I want either a post bound scrapbook that I can make my own, or a binder style, because I know my path will continue to change, and I don't want to have to remake my book every few years, ya know? Especially since what I really want it look like has been in my head for years, so I feel like I"ll probably always love the design, ya know?
fotogrl1 7 months ago
@fotogrl1 Thanks :) I know that now, didn't imagine such a thing back in 2003
svehex 7 months ago
@svehex Oh I know what you mean. I though the same thing when I bought that ginormous BOS several years back! LOL Funny how your path almost always changes when you say "I know what I believe!" :)
fotogrl1 7 months ago
@fotogrl1 Yes,so true :D I thought I'd never work with deities,and then Freyja wacked me upside the head with a 2x4.
svehex 7 months ago
Why don't just buy square scrapbook, and cut 1/4 of it so it is the size of a book (you can take it to Home Depot if you don't have the right tools). Then you can reupholster it with the fabric of your choice (maybe faux leather) so it looks like an old BOS.
francoferret 7 months ago
@francoferret That's not a bad idea. I don't really own many tools being an apt dweller, especially larger tools, so I was hoping to avoid that, but I see what you're saying. Never thought of taking it to Home Depot; great idea, thanks!
fotogrl1 7 months ago
Comment removed
francoferret 7 months ago