Handmade spiral notebook supplies and techinques?

[Lethargic]

Hey I am new to most paper crafts but I really want to make some spiral notebooks out of recycled materials. I'm having a lot of trouble finding the right supplies though. I found some professional places selling wire or plastic spiral binding but it says it is for binding machines. Can I buy that stuff and bind it by hand? I also see the wire binding with the double loops that looks good for binding by hand, but I'm having trouble finding a place to buy it online that gives me enough information to buy the right size.

The notebooks I want to make right now will be approx. 2.5" by 3.5" so I want a fairly close together and small rings. Any help with this would be greatly appreciated! 

[sprinklez]

I'm not really sure if binding a spiral notebook by hand is feasible. 
It seems like it would take an inordinate amount of effort.

Have you considered stitching the notebooks instead? The coptic stitch, and other techniques are pretty easy and work really well.

And I think you can get relatively affordable binding machines as well.

[wonderwoman1976]

spiral binding is not hard at all! it's really easy.
There's a company called Zutter that makes something called a "Bind it all" machine. That thing is awesome for spiral binding! they also sell the spiral rings. They call them o wires.
then, stampin up makes a spiral binding punch, and so does a co. called  Seven gypsies:
http://www.shopatron.com/products/productdetail/Binderie+Punch+w/+FREE+Starter+Kit/part_number=10074/533.0.1.1.31528.51002.0.0.0?

hope this helps!

[sprinklez]

Yeah, wonderwoman, I was thinking a bind-it-all would probably be necessary for spiral binding.

[lylacfey]

I got this tip from SCS a long time ago. You can sue the O-rings without the BIA. You lay the O-Rings next to your project, then take a pen and mark where the rings need to go on your paper and chipboard, use a hole punch to make your pattern. Then loop your O-rings through your project and crimp with wire crimpers shut. I actually used my fingers and it worked fine. I hope I explained all of this right, lol.

I do have a BIA but I am always looking for alternative and frugal ways to do things.