They say the best gifts aren’t bought, but built. For a long time, I’ve watched my wife, Jana, fill up notebook after notebook with her ideas. She’s a collector of knowledge—specifically the kind found in roots, leaves, and ancient remedies. Whether she’s documenting the properties of elderberry or jotting down what I affectionately call her ‘witchy’ things, her notes are a reflection of her passion.
Her notebooks go everywhere with her—into the garden, out on hikes, and onto the kitchen counter. But paper is fragile. I wanted to give her something that would protect those thoughts and grow more beautiful with every passing year. This is the story of how I crafted a bespoke leather cover designed to hold Jana’s world of herbalism.
To make a cover worthy of Jana’s research, I started with the best foundation I could find: traditional Italian blank leather. There is something special about Italian veg-tanned hides; they have a distinct scent and a firm temper that tells you they’ll last for decades. This leather is designed to absorb the stories of its owner, darkening and softening with every herb-gathering trip Jana takes.
I didn’t have a high-tech workshop for this—just a collection of random leather tools I’ve gathered over time. But sometimes, basic tools are all you need to create something soulful.
The most nerve-wracking but rewarding part was the tooling. I wanted this to be unmistakably hers. On the front, I carefully carved and stamped the title: ‘Skogshäxans Örtbok’.
In my house, I often joke about her ‘witch stuff,’ but translating that into the Forest Witch’s Herb Book gave the project a sense of ancient mystery. Along with the text, I tooled a few symbols that represent her connection to nature.
Watching the letters take shape in the dampened Italian leather was incredibly satisfying. It transformed a piece of hide into a vessel for her knowledge.
The Best Kind of Occasion: None at All
The most rewarding part of this entire process wasn’t the final stitch or the last rub of burnishing wax. It was the moment I handed it to her.
I didn’t wait for a birthday, an anniversary, or Christmas. There’s a specific kind of joy in giving a ‘just because’ gift—it says, ‘I see what you love, and I wanted to make it better.’ When I gave it to Jana, she was genuinely surprised. Watching her run her fingers over the ‘Skogshäxans Örtbok’ tooling and seeing her realize I’d built a home for her herbalism notes was better than any celebration.
She was so glad to finally have a dedicated, rugged place for her ‘witch stuff.’ Now, as the Italian leather begins to pick up its first marks from her garden and her kitchen, I know I’ve made something that will be by her side for as long as she’s chasing forest magic.
you don’t need the most expensive tools or a special reason to start a project. All you need is a bit of leather and someone you care about enough to spend a few hours at the workbench.
Have you ever made a ‘just because’ gift for someone? I’d love to hear about your projects in the comments below!
