Thank you to everyone who read my last email newsletter, who responded with with messages and visits to the Bindery Studio to chat in person, who clicked a link and who booked a workshop place. I appreciate all of you.

Finding My Foot!

At the start of April I spent a few days with my Mum, during which I helped her sort out boxes of family ephemera.  Amongst the random bits and bobs and the kind of precious memories many families keep, we tripped over this plaster cast of my footprint.

I remember vividly the feel of the cold, gritty sand as I pushed my foot into it to make the impression, and the fascinated anticipation of my 8 year old self as we waited for the hot plaster to cool and solidify.

Finding this childhood relic is a delight to me now, more years than I care to disclose later, owning a small creative business called (The) Barefoot Bindery! It feels like a stamp of approval from the Universe. I've now proudly installed the plaster cast in the pigeon-hole shelving in the Bindery Studio to remind me that every journey starts with a first step and continues one step at a time.

A Good Book!

One of my lovely visitors last month recommended and loaned "Spring Cannot Be Cancelled" by David Hockney and Martin Gayford to me. It is an engaging account of the Artist's life and work in Normandy at the start of the pandemic in 2020, including insights into his working habits and thoughts on multiple viewpoints in painting. It has certainly encouraged me to look for other perspectives generally, for which I am grateful. I am enjoying it immensely, especially the gorgeous colour pictures.

Here's a link to a colourful review from The Guardian which I hope you will enjoy. I'd love to hear what you think.

Spring Cannot Be Cancelled by David Hockney and Martin Gayford – review | Art and design books | The Guardian

And now for more books.

There are always more books and no such thing as too many! Also there is nothing so nice as writing or drawing in a handmade journal, especially one you have made for yourself. I have been making and using my own sketchbooks and journals, my "Companion Books" as I call them, for years now. This picture above is of my current book, an informal Coptic bound gathering of mixed art papers with rescued and upcycled paper that gives a friendly feel and lots of creative options inside. There will be a unique opportunity to look inside some of my art journals and sketchbooks in September when I am participating in Salisbury Art Trail, but more of that another time.

If you are curious about making your own notebooks and journals, I can help you with my regular in person Bookbinding workshops. A really good place to start is with my next Bookbinding workshop on Saturday 14th May "Six Sewn Bindings". Through making a set of six mini notebooks you will learn the fundamentals of creating hand sewn books including how to fold and cut pages, measure and prick sewing holes for six different sewing patterns. This workshop was over subscribed last month, so I am offering it again.

Here's a link for more information and to book.

https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/308870990447

I am hosting a super creative Summer-Solstice Sun-Print Yoga/Meditation Journal Workshop on Sunday 19th June. That title seems a bit of a mouthful doesn't it?! Try saying it quickly like "She sells sea shells....." I am banking on it being a sunny day because we will be exploring the early photography technique of Cyanotype to create unique and blissfully blue prints for our journal covers.

Here is a link to find out more and book your place.

https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/308880288257

Easter Holidays

If you have been looking for something interesting and creative to do with your children this week, you might be interested in the Family friendly Printmaking on Fabric opportunity I have coming up THIS THURSDAY 14th April. It is marketed as for teens but is suitable for all ages and is really good fun. We will be using my quirky collection of vintage wooden letterpress to print calico tote-bags, perfect for books, shoes or swag! Or maybe even Easter Eggs?

Here's the link for the morning workshop...

https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/289910067817

and here's the link for the afternoon session...

https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/289937439687 

(Tickets on sale until 11am on Wednesday 13th April}