Alison’s Testimonial

Alison has bought many books from us over the past year, from Ebay, this site, and custom made. And was nice enough to send us a testimonial, to share her thoughts and experiences

The market is flooded with leather and suede journals to meet just about every need that one may require a journal for.  Prices differences are vast, reflecting quality and the way the journal was manufactured.  Just when I thought that I had seen all there was to see in
the journal market, I stumbled upon the work of Bryan and Caroline of From the Shadows
(fromtheshadows.co.uk)

From the Shadows offers something unique and at a price that does not in any way reflect the amount of talent and ingenuity that went into the creation of each of the journals that they offer.  The journals are not just books, they are true works of art with a piece of their creator fused into every creation.  Time care and attention are paid to each and every detail and it is obvious when you hold one of their creations in your hands that the artist is a
master at their craft. 

The books themselves are massive.  The weight of them is also a reflection of the quality paper and materials used for their creation.  There have been no cut corners with these journals.  And while the price is dearer than something you could pick up in town, the book will outlast anything you could buy on the high street and no book purchased at a stationary store will provide the sheer pleasure of being written in that you find with journals at From the Shadows. As any consumer, my confidence in a product is reflected in my future purchasing.  To date, I own 4 journals that were crafted by Bryan and Caroline at From the Shadows.  Two of these, I have given as gifts.  One will eventually hold the names of all American service persons killed in the Vietnam war and is a donation to a local chapter of Veterans of Foreign Wars in my hometown.  Bryan and Caroline have crafted a book that is worthy of holding the names of all of those persons and their sacrafice.

My favorite of my purchases is a personal design prompted by me but brought to life by the artistic vision of Bryan and Caroline.  I laid out my requirements and the symbolistic nature of what the journal would represent to me and Bryan and Caroline came back to me with sketches of how they interpreted my vision.  The result was something that I could never have dreamed would come to pass and that I am most pleased to have received.  (insert pictures here)

From the Shadows captured the exact feeling and vision that was behind the thoughts of having the journal made.  Communication during the creation process could not have been better and Caroline designed a beautiful cloth bag to keep the journal in, using material that meant a great deal to me and that I wanted included.  I was consulted at every step of making the journal and my satisfaction was always guaranteed so I had no problem in trusting them to create something I would be pleased with. 

If you are looking for something simplistic at a sunday market price, these are about the only requirements that the work of Bryan and Caroline will never be able to meet.  Each journal is intricate, unique and amazingly beautiful.  The quality is second to none and the book will not only provide you something beautiful to look at, it is inspiring in itself and makes you wish to fill its pages to the standard of the book you are writing in.  You will not be disappointed in your purchase of one of From the Shadows' fabulous collection of hand made journals.  It will be something you are glad to have purchased and when you hold it in your hands, you will feel your moneys worth and see the beauty close up that pictures could never do justice.  

Alison

Thank you very much Alison...

                 From Caroline

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