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GnotableDesigns

Des Moines, Iowa

70
 Sales

13 years
on Etsy

70
 sales

13 years
on Etsy

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70
 Sales

13 years
on Etsy

70
 sales

13 years
on Etsy

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Announcement

Last updated on Mar 21, 2016

March 20, 2016: New cases for the iPad Pro 12.5 and 9.7 inch models are ready for production. These innovative designs take flexiblility and function to new heights with features like a custom storage slot for the Apple pencil, secure clips to hold the iPad in place, and a removable frame.

January 6, 2016: I just completed a prototype case for the iPad Pro, with similar features to previous Gnotebooks (but larger!). It also includes a slot for the Apple Pencil and a removable frame. I'm very happy with the way it turned out, and I'll be evaluating the possibility of a small production run soon.

July 14, 2015: customized iPad Air2 cases are now available, along with new color choices.

May 30, 2014: RunAroundTech posted a review of the Gnotebook iPad mini case! http://bit.ly/gnotebook-mini-review

April 30, 2014: Check out the new custom Gnotebook, Jr. for iPad mini 'Tan and Ivory' with stippled and vintage-look ivory page block (click below under "Featured").

February 14, 2014: The Gnotebook 'Artisan' series case for iPad Air is now available, covered in deep red or black...and it's gorgeous! Featuring top quality Arista bonded leather cover, the Artisan is a thing of beauty to enhance your tablet experience as only a Gnotebook can do.

Also announcing the PURE WHITE Gnotebook 'Alba' series case for the iPad air. Top quality, white Arista bonded leather outside, bookcloth inside in choice of 3 colors (black, red, or blue). It is devastatingly beautiful, especially when paired with the white iPad Air.

December 1, 2013: The NEW Gnotebook case for iPad Air is ready to go! It's slimmer, lighter and equally gorgeous to the original Gnotebook. ALSO NEW: The case is now constructed completely from scratch, using archival-quality bookbinding materials. And, as an extra, you will receive a spiral-bound notebook made from the interior cut-out pages, at no extra charge! LIMITED AVAILABILITY at the moment. More colors coming soon.

Jon Duvick

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Jon Duvick

Reviews

5.0 (16)

Average item review

We calculate this number using a recency-weighted average of all ratings, with a rating's value decreasing by half each year to best reflect the current experience.

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Tom on Sep 21, 2015

5 out of 5 stars

Jon at GNotableDesigns has made a beautiful product to hold in your hands. Everything right down to the yellow and reddish striped fabric on the end of the book's "spine" quietly drives home the point of attention to detail. Even more remarkable is his customer service. He was patient with my questions and it has been, bar none, the most pleasant retail experience I have had in years. I wish him great success!

Case for iPad Air (forest green), custom order

Case for iPad Air (forest green), custom order
Amy on Aug 1, 2015

5 out of 5 stars

This case is even better than expected! It's exceptionally well made and will stand up to being bumped and jostled in a bag all day. Has everything I was looking for in an iPad case: well made by a craftsman in the USA, personalized, discreet (which is great for travel), and supports two standing iPad positions. Seller was also great to work with. Would buy again in a heartbeat and glad to find this gem.

Case for iPad Air 2 (navy blue), looks just like a book! "The Gnotebook Artisan 2"

Case for iPad Air 2 (navy blue), looks just like a book! "The Gnotebook Artisan 2"
Etsy buyer on Feb 16, 2015

5 out of 5 stars

This case is awesome! The fact that it starts out as a real book makes it very deceptive, which adds a little security, the craftsmanship is top shelf as well. I would definitely recommend this case to all! I wish I could add a couple more stars

Case for iPad Air (burgundy), looks just like a book! "The Gnotebook"

Case for iPad Air (burgundy), looks just like a book! "The Gnotebook"
alicia on Jan 27, 2015

5 out of 5 stars

Absolutely perfect gift. beautiful and well crafted.

Case for iPad Air (creamy white), looks just like a book! "The Gnotebook Alba"

Case for iPad Air (creamy white), looks just like a book! "The Gnotebook Alba"
Alisa on Aug 6, 2014

5 out of 5 stars

I am in love with this case. This is exactly what I was looking for! The craftsmanship is stunning, and the attention to detail floored me - the hidden camera port is fantastic. I am elated with my purchase.

Case for iPad mini (gloss black), looks just like a book! "The Gnotebook, Jr."

Case for iPad mini (gloss black), looks just like a book! "The Gnotebook, Jr."
Celeste on May 16, 2014

5 out of 5 stars

Incredibly easy to work with, lightning fast shipping. This is EXACTLY what I wanted! Well made and fits my iPad Air like a glove. Thank you so much! This case is awesome!

Case for iPad Air (deep red), looks just like a book! "The Gnotebook Artisan"

Case for iPad Air (deep red), looks just like a book! "The Gnotebook Artisan"
Juan on Apr 14, 2014

5 out of 5 stars

This is our second Gnotebook (for iPad Mini & iPad 2) and we absolutely love it. With frequent travel, this cover comes in handy as it doesnt draw too much attention to yourself while handling or carrying your ipad. Once people do figure out you are using an ipad then LOTS of attention is draw..lol.. EVeryone LOVES it! Its used on a daily basis and we absolutely love it! The best iPad cover without a doubt! Thank you Jon!

Case for iPad mini & Retina mini (forest green), looks just like a book! "The Gnotebook, Jr."

Case for iPad mini & Retina mini (forest green), looks just like a book! "The Gnotebook, Jr."
Amy on Feb 4, 2014

5 out of 5 stars

This was a custom order. Very fast production and shipping. Very well designed and sturdy construction. Everyone wants to know where I got it. I'm absolutely in love with my stealthy ipad case!

Case for iPad Air (black), looks just like a book! "The Gnotebook"

Case for iPad Air (black), looks just like a book! "The Gnotebook"
Angelene on Dec 21, 2013

5 out of 5 stars

Received this in the mail today and am loving it so far! Jon is great and responded to any queries really quickly and made sure the product was sent out as soon as possible so i was able to receive it before Christmas. Much appreciated!

Case for iPad mini & Retina mini (navy blue), looks just like a book! "The Gnotebook, Jr."

Case for iPad mini & Retina mini (navy blue), looks just like a book! "The Gnotebook, Jr."
Etsy buyer on Sep 14, 2013

5 out of 5 stars

This item is very good. The magnets work well, and the book looks exactly like a book. I do miss having a notch for the charger, and I'm really looking forward to one that is nearly as thin as this AND has a note book, but this book, is much better than 95% of the stuff out there. I fully recommend it.

The Gnotebook, a unique iPad case handmade from an engineering notebook, with internal magnets (black leather cover / black interior)

The Gnotebook, a unique iPad case handmade from an engineering notebook, with internal magnets (black leather cover / black interior)

About GnotableDesigns

The handmade iPad case that looks just like a book

Sales 70

On Etsy since 2012

The handmade iPad case that looks just like a book

The Gnotebook is entirely handmade using highest quality bookbinding materials along with custom tools and jigs.
The Gnotebook supports two elevated positions for video viewing (left) or typing (right) using hidden magnet arrays.
A unique camera port that snaps open and stays put magnetically, allowing you to use camera without removing the iPad!
Beautiful, durable bonded leather cover in a variety of colors including tan, deep red, black, and navy blue
Now offering your initials embossed on front cover (if desired) at no extra charge

Is it a book or is it an iPad? - It's a Gnotebook!

I love the iPad, but I wasn't in love with any of the cases I'd tried. One day I set my iPad down next to a hardcover notebook of about the same dimensions and said "hmmmm"...

Once I'd sculpted out the interior and discovered I had a nice "stealth" case, I wanted to make use of the iPad's ingenious interior magnets. I discovered I could both secure the iPad in the case and suspend it upright using precisely positioned, rare earth magnets to match its internal ones. My wife liked the case too, but she wanted a 360 degree cover, so a few cuts/magnets later I had a foldback spine that would snap back into place.

Once the new iPad3 came out, I knew I had to add a camera port, and once again magnets solved the engineering challenge of making the cap simple to open and close.

Thus was born the Gnotebook, a unique and highly practical case for the iPad. My wife was my first customer, and soon several of her colleagues signed on as additional beta-testers. Once I decided to go into small scale production, I proceeded to develop some tools and jigs to make the construction process easier and safer. The process is now in place, and I can satisfy a modest demand for the Gnotebook as a one person shop. These days I'm focusing on cases for iPad Air and iPad mini -- I no longer sell cases for iPad 2-4.

As of 2014 I've taken the Gnotebook to a new level: I now construct each case totally "from scratch", using archival quality bookbinding materials and methods: binder's board, conservation board, premium quality bonded leather, and 25% cotton bond. I have to say that the "scratch-built" Gnotebooks for iPad Air and iPad mini are even better in quality and performance than the previous repurposed notebooks. I also now include a spiral bound notebook made from the page block "innards" as a freebie with each order.

I've always been a tinkerer, but this is my first venture that combines design, manufacture and retail. I hope you enjoy reading about my designs and maybe are inspired to try some tinkering yourself!

Shop members

Jon Duvick

Owner, Maker, Designer

Inveterate tinkerer, iPad enthusiast

Shop policies

Last updated on February 16, 2023

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