For YEARS I've wanted a small, reusable leather binder to weather my life with calendars or whatever (I'm an OT in the school system) I need in it. I even bought leather to make one. It was too thin. *sigh
Gave up on it after a while. Then looked into it again. Saw many, many. I wanted something simple. Finally came across D&M Leather Studio. Read reviews. Looked carefully at product descriptions and pictures. Read more reviews. What caught me at first was the lovely, hand-stitched edging and the ability to customize.
What sold me was the studio's reasonably timed and GREAT communication. I reached out and they responded that they were on vacation and provided me with a return to work date. I emailed with my questions, wanting to see if the customizations that I wanted would be doable. They said yes. They even asked questions to verify their understanding. Another notch up in my esteem of them.
I'd requested to have my name and postnomials in the bottom right corner in Courier font. a d-ring, and the Mandalorian mythosaur skull engraved large and vertically a bit above center (for the logo) .
They replied ok and asking about the logo also on the bottom right corner. I caught that after I had ordered the binder. 😬 oops
Well, I figured it'd be on there either way. And I was determined to be happy either way, as long as it was there.
It arrived 3 days ago. I was SO excited that I opened the packaging GINGERLY. 🤣
To prolong the anticipation, thank you universe, I'd somehow opened it with the back of the binder facing me. I paused. Excited to see if it turned out as I hoped, and...

... IT DID! 🥳💚🥳

I LITERALLY jumped up and down screaming "YES YES YES OMG YES!!!"
🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣ðŸ˜ðŸ¤£

It's all here in the photos!
The d-ring was, to my eyes, backwards. I'm accustomed to the flat bit facing the right so that the pages last flat on the backing.
Well, would you look at that! The d-ring has screws in it.
Go get the screwdriver!
Wouldn't you know it? Easy fix.
With that done the thought came that the d-ring could easily be replaced if damaged. You probably know that binder clips can get weird after a while. 🤪
ANOTHER notch up for D&M Studio!
The craftsmanship is all that is promised. I truly couldn't be happier with it. Looking at it on my desk, as it waits to be filled with a calendar for the 23-24 school year, STILL brings a smile to my face.
The odd note can be placed in the front-side pocket (I'll not add bulky things to keep the front engraving looking B.A.) AND the pen 'pocket' will be SOOOO handy!
Simple. Yes. Very much so. I like simple. Never underestimate the beauty of simplicity. Well made
Sturdy. Classy. I have great leather conditioner to keep it hydrated (it IS skin after all). It will last a VERY long time. The leather is thick enough to protect your pages from crumpling yet thin enough to not be hard.
Oh! I almost forgot. Shipping. It takes a little while, but they have to MAKE your request. They are great about comms. It came in a plastic bag. At first I was hesitant to trust that method of 'packaging'.. as I opened it, again gingerly 😉ðŸ'ƒ 🤣, I found some really sturdy air-pocket for cushioning, the binder was wrapped in paper and inside was a very sturdy piece of cardboard set in the rings and a, again very sturdy, 1/2"+ piece of foam- board- thing. This was obviously wrapped with thoughtful care.
Yuppers, another notch up for this business.

I'm eyeballing another piece from this studio. That leather binder has a 3-sided zipper closure. Many ideas for its use. I'll wait until I think of the use that will need a zippered binder to share is journey, as I believe it will last a very long time, especially with proper leather maintenance.

Hugs.

24Aug23 - update: I conditioned my Mandobinder with my favorite leather conditioner prior to use. That was in the last week of July. I have been using it daily at work for a month now. Plopping it into my bag with my other paperwork. I will need to condition it again soon. You can see the dryness of the leather and some scratches. That's what this thing is for! It's construction remains solid. Nothing more than daily wear that will require maintenance.
I'll update again towards the end of the school year and let you know how it's going for long-term.
Hugs

The craftsmanship on this piece is amazing. I really like my notebook. This was a good buy.

I bought this for my husband that LOVES all things leather and it did not disappoint. It took a little while to get but once we did I knew why. It's handcrafted and beautifully done. Thank you!

The packaging was special and the craftsmanship was impeccable. I highly recommend taking a look at the seller's product.

Excellent craftsmanship and considering the distance it traveled, reasonably fast. Thank you