Bench Notes is a place for ideas in progress. Made for the bench rather than the bookshelf, it’s where designs take shape, concepts get worked through, and the important details are captured—from first spark to finished piece.

Keep it close by to write down ideas and observations as they come up: rough sketches, measurements, materials, process notes, small discoveries, and reminders for next time. Nothing needs to be fully formed to belong here.

Created for hand-made jewelry designers, artisans, and small-business makers at every level, Bench Notes helps you stay organized through every stage of the design process. Capture creative decisions as they happen, carry lessons from one piece to the next, and keep your practice connected while leaving room for new ideas. No polish required—just sketch, jot, experiment, and add a little grit.

Brainstorm

Let ideas spill out and flow freely without editing. Use this space to capture sparks of inspiration as they pop up—sketch them out and jot them down before they disappear.

Moodboard

In this section, you will begin translating your concepts into visuals, laying them out as they take shape on the page. Collect images, colors, textures, symbols, and vibes that define the emotional world of your product ideas and guide your design decisions.

Sketch It Out

Put pencil to paper and give your ideas form. What can you imagine your pieces looking like? Use the grid pages for product sketches, illustrations, explorations, and visual problem-solving. Build color palettes for your designs to visualize how pieces will harmonize together.

Collection Planning

Here, you'll turn your vision into a cohesive story to create your collections. Plan themes, elements, pieces, timelines, and build collections that feel intentional and complete.

Make It! (30 Projects)

This section is dedicated to documenting and referencing your work while creating continuity for future pieces. Track materials, steps, costs, suppliers with notes and any lessons learned as you bring each project to life.

Custom Orders (10 Projects)

Stay organized while creating something truly personal and unique. Use these pages to document client details, requests, design choices, revisions, and final outcomes. Each project page has extra space for additional notes as you work through the order details with your customer.

Vendors / Suppliers

Populate this section with your “behind-the-scenes” contacts. Keep track of trusted suppliers, materials (notions, findings, metals, fabric, clay, etc.), pricing, and notes so sourcing stays smooth and stress-free.

Dotted pages throughout the workbook provide subtle guides, allowing for customizable layouts—perfect for creative planning. 

Perfect for:

• Jewelry artists

• Ceramicists & potters

• Textile & fiber artists

• Makers & crafters

• Woodworkers & furniture builders

• Small business owners who want to stay organized