Transforming the Ordinary
In Cory Skaaren’s world, every page tells a story.
In an age where pixels dance on screens and all things digital dominate our interactions, there remains a timeless, tactile keeper of our thoughts, dreams and aspirations. This is where Resketch thrives, transforming reclaimed paper into notebooks and accessories that are far more than mere stationery.
Designer by trade and creative at heart, Cory’s roots trace back to central Minnesota on his family’s land, where they raised Arabian horses. Far from the reach of the internet, he spent his days caring for the horses, while teaching himself how to draw.
“As a kid, I knew all I needed to create something was paper and a pencil,” he says. “That’s how I got into the creative world.”
After graduating high school early, Cory attended art school and earned multiple degrees in art, painting and illustration. He began his career as a comic book artist in Minnesota, before moving to Arizona, with a brief stint in San Francisco in between.
In that time, he has solidly established himself as a skilled creative director, working with such companies as ReadyMade magazine; Kono, a children’s martial arts magazine; and Ethisphere, a publication for business professionals on ethical leadership.
In 2022, Cory’s foray into the world of reclaimed notebooks began. His friend and colleague Shawn Smith owned Resketch in Chicago, but was in the market to sell it.
“He approached me saying he just needed the company to go to a good home,” says Cory, who—with his deep appreciation for design and publishing—was the perfect fit to take over.
Cory bought the company and moved it to Phoenix. But in the midst of the pandemic, the company faced significant challenges as paper and supplies became scarce. Rather than lamenting the situation, Cory allowed creativity to take over. He rebranded Resketch and revamped the product line, embracing the mission of creating notebooks from reclaimed paper.
“The paper comes from a lot of different places,” Cory says. “Some come from individuals, like a lady who donated unused composition notebooks her kids never used. Others come from businesses, such as dental offices with outdated stationery or government agencies with city plans, blueprints and typographic maps. We’ve even received donations from groups like the American Library Organization, who gave us old letterhead they no longer wanted.”
While the paper itself has its own story, it’s how it makes it into each notebook that makes the product so special. “We use a proprietary algorithm that divides paper into categories, and then those categories go into the notebooks at certain quantities,” Cory explains. “When every page is different, it challenges you to use each page in your own way. It spurs creativity.”
The production process at Resketch is also unique. They work with binderies to mass-produce the notebooks in their standard product line, which includes a 7-by-9-inch notebook, a 4-by-8-inch reporter’s style notebook, and a three-pack of pocket-sized journals.
But it’s the limited edition notebooks that are truly a perfect blend of utility and artistry. “The covers are made from such things as reclaimed concert posters and art works, some of which may have been misprints or overstock,” notes Cory, adding that they’ve worked with artist Jay Ryan of the Bird Machine, one of the most preeminent concert poster and silk screen designers in Chicago. “But honestly, that’s what makes them even more special and unique.”
Resketch notebooks attract two main types of customers: those who love the environment and appreciate the eco-friendly aspect of the products, and those who are avid notebook collectors. Some customers even hesitate to use the notebooks because they are so unique, but Cory encourages them to embrace the creativity each page inspires.
“The author David Sax once said the great thing about the physical world is that it gets better the older it is,” he says. “The same can be said about notebooks: The longer you have one, the more valuable it becomes.”
Resketch is always looking for quality unused and unwanted paper. If you or anyone you know has a significant amount of paper, please let them know by emailing hello@resketchbrand.com.
Photography by Mark Lipczynski
