Accessories Hand made Kindle case designed to look like a book

[yvanleterrible]

NatCh might be too shy to say but he made a very nice case from an existing book. There is a how to post but I just can't find it.

[NatCh]

Thanks, Yvan, but the wooden case is the real gem.

There's a link to the hollow book instructions here, if someone wants them.

[artsci]

Originally Posted by RobertGloverJr

I insist the Kindle community take note of my situation... that of a train and subway commuter who reads his Kindle standing up in rush hour traffic on trains and subways.

It is impossible for me to read the Kindle on trains and subways, standing up, unless I fold the Kindle holder backwards upon itself. That allows me to hold the Kindle with one hand.

I would not even *think* of buying a replacement holder for the Kindle unless it could fold back on itself. The idea of reading the Kindle while it is lying flat on a table with the cover open is ridiculous to me and hundreds of thousands of other train commuters.

The Kindle holder that came with my Kindle folds back upon itself perfectly. I am amazed more people do not realize that.

Actually, my "book" folds back on itself and can easily held in one hand while standing. The spine of the cover is very flexible (it has none of the spring of the stock case), so its very easy to fold back.

Even though I made this for my own use, having read people's complaints before I started work, I took all of these things into consideration. I'm traveling all the time, and find myself not only sitting on planes or trains, but standing in the NYC subway, so tried to anticipate all of these possible uses.

Of course, I'm not selling this or making them, but I will provide this advice to Jenni Bick as she develops a model to sell.

[artsci]

Originally Posted by RobertGloverJr

I insist the Kindle community take note of my situation... that of a train and subway commuter who reads his Kindle standing up in rush hour traffic on trains and subways.

It is impossible for me to read the Kindle on trains and subways, standing up, unless I fold the Kindle holder backwards upon itself. That allows me to hold the Kindle with one hand.

I would not even *think* of buying a replacement holder for the Kindle unless it could fold back on itself. The idea of reading the Kindle while it is lying flat on a table with the cover open is ridiculous to me and hundreds of thousands of other train commuters.

The Kindle holder that came with my Kindle folds back upon itself perfectly. I am amazed more people do not realize that.

(Please excuse the repetitive 2nd reply. I did not see the earlier post and created another along the same vein without realizing it, now I can't figure out a way to delete one or the other).

The "book" case I've created folds back completely on itself with no return or spring pressure, so it's very easy to hold in one hand while standing. It's much more flexible in that regard than the stock Kindle case, which has a cover that wants to spring back when it's folded back beyond about 180 degrees.

Before I began work my custom case I read all of the comments about the stock case and designed mine so it would address these concerns. Since I also travel frequently, and my visits to New York and other major cities often involve public transit, including subways, I wanted a case that would make possible very flexible use in a variety of situations. The only thing I overlooked was access to the controls/port on the bottom side (volume, power connection, headphone jack), but I'm addressing that in the new version I'm building now and will finish over the weekend.

When I give advice to Jenni Bick, it will include all of the considerations you have mentioned, since they have been very much on my mind as well.

[giedre]

That cover is drop dead gorgeous! I'd buy one in a heartbeat. Please keep us updated on this {I'm salivating!}

[artsci]

For the do-it-yourselfers, starting this weekend I'll be posting step-by-step instructions on how to make this case, including sources for materials and other relevant information. The instructions will be based on the new, improved version I'm working on now.

[sammyl]

Stunning! Obviously a hit, please consider the other devices and protecting them all from damage when dropped.

[Eirerogue]

ArtSci

Cover is beautiful and I too would be interested in a purchase. Please keep us informed of availability through Bick bookbinding. Thanks!

[WilliamG]

While I admire the cover for its.... originality, if I wanted to hold a real book, I'd buy a real book? The whole point of the Kindle is its size and weight being less than a hardback book!

I fully await a cover that wouldn't embarrass me in public. But again, gorgeous-looking cover. Very creative!

(Apologies if I come across as a big, stinky jerk!)

[Paul in Saudi]

I (have learned to) like the issue cover. That being said please set you price on your wonder piece of art and I will send you a check.

[Sage]

That's is beautiful! I think I want to try and make one, but it may not be as classy as that. Great Job!

[crusader666]

your case is creative and beautiful, but please consider having them made in mass without killing animals. that would truly make your creation beautiful!

[cfw123]

I'm perfectly happy with the "issue" cover, except I had hack it a little. First I cut off the top and bottom inside things that were supposed to hold the Kindle, but doesn't. I left the middle thing that was also supposed to help hold it, but didn't have a chance of doing so.

What I did instead worked wonders. I got some Industrial strength velcro, and applied a narrow -- maybe half an inch -- strip from top to bottom just inside the left edge of my Kindle, so my Kindle can't possibly fall off. Also I positioned it so that the Kindle was as far inside the cover as possible, and thus left a little wider right edge open on the right to make it easier to pick it up without pressing the next page key by accident, which all owners know about and hate. It also makes it possible to pull up just enough on the right edge to get to the two power switches. That's why I didn't put a velcro strip on the right edge, which wasn't necessary anyway.

Now when I read, I fold the left side of the cover way around on the back, and hold it in place with the elastic strap designed for that purpose. It makes it really easy to pick up the Kindle without touching a key, and to also hold it by just one hand, which I like to do while reading in bed (never could read in bed with a conventional book, but I love to do it with my Kindle). When I'm not using my Kindle, I use the elastic strap to hold the cover in place across the front of the Kindle. Not really necessary -- the Kindle really can't fall out anymore, but it just seems neater somehow. Incidentally, I also press the bottom left and right key to put my Kindle to sleep once I shut it up for non-use, as this also seems kind of neat -- never could do that with a conventional book !!!!

Incidentally, Kindle says to charge your battery often, and never let it run completely out of charge. So since my Kindle is next to my bed on the night stand, I keep my charger plugged in there as well, and plug it into my Kindle just before sleeping. That way I can keep both power switches on all the time, which I much prefer to do so the wireless is always available when I want to use it. In fact, since I never turn off either switch anymore, I may put a narrow band of velcro along the back of the right edge as well even though it's not really necessary. But I would still have to lift the right edge to turn off the wireless were I to take a flight on an airplane, as it's illegal to do otherwise these days.

Charles Wilkes, San Jose, Calif.

[sbissell3]

Artsci,
Are you planning on marketing this or the plans? You'd be rich and famous.
sbissell3

[Ameryx]

Is there any news on whether Jenni Bick (sp?) will produce and market this cover?

Thanks!