Summer book making

A time well spent

The long summer days wraps natural light around my studio space meaning that I can choose when I work. I often skip off during the day for a walk or a coffee with hubby meaning that the evenings become time to work. Being self employed it not an easy gig but it can be very rewarding. I walked away from a very senior job as an academic in a university at 38 years old and have been self employed ever since (I am now 61). I think I might have invented the term ‘portfolio career’ before it was even a thing as I have always had multiple pots of income. I have also moved through a range of creative jobs including floristry, event management, textile artist and mixed media artist and teacher. I originally trained as a teacher so I guess I am full circle now…..

For a long time now though making books has been my primary income and this job changes with the seasons. Winters on a Scottish island go on forever and so my books tend to be chunky and journal orientated. However, during the warmer months they tend to be smaller and perfect for taking out and about with you. I don’t have a preference but I do love the natural ebb and flow of this creative process. Letting the seasons speak to my creativity is a cornerstone of my offering to the world.

The summer gives me the opportunity to make my own paper and press flowers and both of these feature in many of my books. I love to think that fragments of the island find their forever home elsewhere. There is also a slowness about these summer days that allow for papers to dry and flowers to press at a pace that feels right. In the 2.9k orders over the past 6 years over on Etsy handmade books have been the lead seller. Better than that, is the fact that many people come back again and again when they need a new book or want one as a gift. When time allows I also offer a bespoke book making service and I am currently working on a wedding collection for beautiful memories to be held safe in.

Of course the colours of each season will filter into my book making especially as I often print using plants in various ways. More than anything, I want my books to be a source of of joy. Making books in not rocket science - well some patterns are but I swerve those! It can be as simple as folding a single piece of paper and if you pop bookbinding into Youtube you will be there for hours.

For me the important ingredient in any book making process is giving each project a unique touch. Something that can’t be easily recreated affords the book an original quality that is very rewarding. If you find you love making books I would recommend Rachel Hazell and her book ‘Bound’ as a super way to learn.

As we move through mid summer in the northern hemsiphere it is the perfect time to make a book dedicated to these long summer days.

Enjoy.

Until next time,

Fiona x

About the author

I am a mixed media artist living on the Isle of Arran in Scotland. Here on Substack I write free content weekly focusing on seasonal creativity. I also run a paid subscription and as I write this I am about to open a new doorway. Through the other side will be a quiet, gentle space that will focus on the relationship between creativity and the meditative mind. The Stillness Studio will bring together my two teaching areas into one place and we shall wander along together working on creative tasks that speak well to the meditative mind. This, in turn, speaks well to our sense of physical and mental wellness.