I initially chose book binding as a hobby because I have swelled the pages of journal after journal, and it seemed like a practical solution to a writing problem.  In addition, my attraction to color and texture make purchasing art papers a covetous pursuit, and using them in creative projects pure joy.  My inspirations come from the clean, spare lines of mid-century design, the great outdoors, where I camp with my family for two weeks every summer, and music .  I especially love the tight vocal harmonies of the Wailin’ Jennys, and the melancholy space of Agnes Obel.  As a lover of architecture (I’m secretly a house stalker), the precision and geometry of book planning and construction appeals to me. And, finally food: though it’s hard to directly associate this with bookbinding, flavorful food (don’t forget the craft beer and cocktails) fuels inspiration for almost any occasion, so why not?

I am formerly the Marketing Manager at the Zingerman’s Roadhouse, a nationally acclaimed local restaurant.  Working in a varied and intellectually stimulating environment gave me daily opportunities to be creative, work with unforgettable individuals, and also learn how a great business operates and empowers its’ employees.  The passion and vision that I witnessed is part of my own inspiration to follow my own passion and start a business of my own.

Over the course of the past seven years, I have dreamed with others to create books of all kinds for all occasions, including; printing and binding a selection of translated poems, a paired set of 60th Birthday Cards, photo books, photo albums, re-casing books to create new treasures, and printing and binding a memorial book of poetry.   These days, I work in a studio carved out of the corner of my son’s bedroom while large projects are relegated to a table in the basement.  There, in a cozy corner, I envision ways to use the principles of bookbinding and present them in some possibly unexpected ways and formats, while still adhering to the beauty of the craft. You can find me selling online at etsy.com and at in person local craft fairs.
One of my favorite considerations in a bookbinding project is the time element.  Unlike some art mediums, a binding can allow for a slow reveal.  It also begs for audience participation.  The act of viewing or reading any book is part of the overall experience.  It's different for everyone.