JournalShelf owners Gabrien and Rusan love journals! The couple met and were married in Boston before moving to New York. They are both avid journalers and have found journaling to be a helpful source of reflection and thoughtful living. In fact, Rusan's first gift to Gabrien was a soft cover leather journal with a strap. It still sits in a neat stack by Gabrien's desk with his favorite pen stored in the cover.

Their passion for journals and journaling has resulted in JournalShelf.com. They are constantly looking for unique journals that would complement the collection JournalShelf offers.

Gabrien is an artist and a romantic. This combination has contributed to something Rusan calls "journal snobbery." He thinks journaling should be an experience that involves the enjoyment of one's journal -- not just the simple act of writing.

"Picking a journal is a very personal choice," says Gabrien. "There has to be chemistry or something that feels like the journal is being true to your voice and personality."

He recalls the constant frustration of searching for a journal that would suit his tastes and frequently walking away from bookstores empty-handed. The journal selection he saw would often have random pictures on the front cover or wide-rule lines and strange decorations on the inside.

When Gabrien received his first leather journal from Rusan, he was pleasantly surprised to find that it was made in the style of an ancient manuscript book. The warm aroma of leather and the nostalgia of its old-world craftsmanship felt unique and inviting to write in.

The difference it made in his experience of journaling only further reinforced his philosophy that journals should reflect its owner's voice. He also thinks it's important to write in a journal that is beautiful and lasting to reflect on the value of its contents. All journals at JournalShelf are selected based on these guiding principles.

Rusan has journals of various sizes, colors and styles. Her first was in elementary school - a small, blue "My Summer Vacation" book. This first attempt to record her days, however, was foiled when her older brother found an entry and teased her mercilessly for days.

Her second would not be until later in college when her psychology class required keeping a notebook of personal observations on daily social dynamics. This red spiral-bound notebook quickly became a canvas for many anecdotes on the ups and downs in the journey of life. Soon the notebook was completely full and the cover falling off.

Rusan then started buying more durable journals to keep her ponderings and still keeps several to this day. She finds journaling a therapeutic and safe place to process her deepest thoughts and emotions. She admits that journals have been so helpful in keeping her honest with herself. One of her favorite pasttimes is being alone with her pen and paper. She frequently comes away refreshed and recharged.

Recently, Rusan has delved into the art of bookbinding and looks forward to making more journals by hand. She enjoys the feel of hand-bound paper journals and hopes to offer them at JournalShelf in the future.