Hand Made Books is a bindery that is owned and run by Katherine O'Connell, based in Cirencester, the beautiful Capital of the Cotswolds, Gloucestershire.
I like nothing more than to make books, boxes and albums - using both traditional and modern methods of binding but always with quality, form and function at its heart. My work takes in the use of maps, comics, musical scores, parchment, handmade papers, textbooks, advertising materials, packaging – they can all end up on the cover of a book and it means that piece is unique.
My books all have a recycled theme – using high quality, rather special recycled papers inside – made in a traditional English paper mill, they can include elephant poo or misprinted Royal Mail stamps, sparkles or even paper that has been recycled twice. All these ‘inclusions’ to the paper pulp mean that fewer trees are needed to make the paper - and that’s got to be a good thing!
I studied for an Honours degree in Book Arts and Crafts at the London College of Printing, graduating in 2005. Following my degree I began to establish my own bindery, recently relocating from South London to a new workshop in Gloucestershire – providing the space and inspiration for developing my work and expanding my boundaries.
I make lots of books to order, so why not get in touch with any ideas? I very happily undertake commissions from across the world - the post office and bubble wrap are wonderful things...
Image credits (from left): Three small notebooks (Katherine O’Connell), ariel notebooks (Katherine O’Connell), Box (Sorrel Packham)
Hand Made Books
Paper & Book Art
6B The Forge, Dovecot Workshops, Barnsley Park, Cirencester, GL75EG
T: 07739313348
Contact: Katherine O’Connell
thequalitybureau@mac.com