The NIV Artisan Collection Bibles are part of the Journal the Word line of Bibles produced by Zondervan. I have one of the beautiful blue marbled-look versions of this Bible to review.
ISBN: 9780310454229 Manufactured in China
Zondervan provided this Bible in exchange for an honest review. I was not required to give a positive review, only an honest one. All opinions are my own.
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This Bible is available for purchase at (includes some affiliate links)
and many local Bible bookstores
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Cover & Binding
The Artisan Collection Bibles have stunning and somewhat unique covers. Hand-painted designs are printed onto soft durable fabric to create the cloth over board covers for these. The artwork on the one I got to review was originally done with a layered alcohol ink painting technique by artist Olivia Joy. I love the multiple shades of blue and gold foil accents.
At 2 pounds, 10 ounces, and measuring 8 1/4″ x 6 1/2″ x 2″ it’s a fairly standard size for a journaling Bible. It has a sewn binding and two ribbon bookmarks, one blue and one light golden yellow. It has gold over blue art-gilt page edges. This is a nice touch that is seen frequently on premium Bibles but rarely on journaling Bibles.
The Artisan Collection currently includes 2 other marbled-look covers by Olivia Joy. 2 of the 3 marbled covers are also available in NRSV. It also includes 4 different hand-painted floral design and calligraphy covers by Edna Marie Esparra that have art under gilt page edges. You can visit Zondervan’s Artisan Collection webpage for pictures and more information.
Paper
The paper feels like about 38 gsm. It is definitely a yellow-tinted cream color instead of white or slightly off-white. The yellowish paper reduces eyestrain (when the text is as clear as it is in this Bible) and allows less show through and bleed through than lighter paper would. It also makes it harder to get true blues and reds in any artwork you do. Personally I am fine with darker paper for Bibles I primarily write in. I prefer lighter paper for art journaling, especially when using more transparent mediums like watercolor and colored pencil.
The pages are smooth and easy to turn.
It has eleven lightly lined pages for notes in the back. Depending on what kind of journaling I do I will probably use them for larger artwork or longer notes. They would also be useful to make an index of notes or artwork.
Typography & Layout
If you are familiar with the Journal the Word line of Bibles you know what to expect here.
The Artisan Collection Bible has a 9.5 point font in the NIV Comfort Print typeface. About 6 lines of text and 6 spaces between text fit in the height of a penny. As always the Comfort Print type is easy to read.
This is a red-letter edition Bible. The red ink is a nice dark red that is easy on the eyes. The color and darkness of both shades of ink are consistent throughout.
It is laid out in a single-column paragraph format. There are two-inch-wide margins on the outer side of each page with forty 1 1/2 inch light lines evenly spaced next to the text. I’m a fan of lightly lined margins. They make it so much easier to make notes neat and hand lettering level and I’ve never had them interfere with my artwork.
Poetry is set in stanzas. Quotes are offset and lists look like lists.
The guide verse and page number are found in the outer corner at the top of the page.
The only footnotes included are the translators’ notes in the footer of the applicable pages.
Final Thoughts on the NIV Artisan Collection Bible
The Journal the Word Bibles are nice solid non-illustrated journaling Bibles and these NIV Artisan Collection versions are beautiful additions to the line. Journaling Bibles aren’t for everyone. But those who take notes or respond to what they read in other ways directly in their Bibles are sure to find a lot to like about these Bibles. The thick paper and lightly lined margins make notetaking easy and the unique covers will make these Bibles stand out both among the other Bibles on your shelves and anywhere you choose to carry them.
Zondervan provided this Bible in exchange for an honest review. I was not required to give a positive review, only an honest one. All opinions are my own.
_________________________________________________________
This Bible is available for purchase at (includes some affiliate links)
and many local Bible bookstores
__________________________________________________
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