Details of hand bound commonplace book featuring gilt impressions of finishing tools made by Brien.
Overview
My practice is a parallel occupation of bookbinding and toolmaking. I operate within a small niche, making bespoke leather books for book lovers and specialized tools for book makers. I also teach workshops and offer private instruction in both areas. Scroll to learn more.
Bookbinding Services
My bookbinding focuses on the creation of one-of-a-kind leatherbound books inspired by the craftmanship and processes of pre-industrial (pre-19th century) bookbinders. I use the same materials, tools and techniques that have been used for centuries to make books that last for centuries. They are bound to look beautiful and withstand repeated use.
Since I hand-engrave my own decorative tools (see below), the design possibilities are endless. I seek to make books whose designs are bound with equal measures of beauty and meaning, and toolmaking allows me to add meaning to the binding through the creation and use of finishing tools that express ideas through the impressions they make on a book’s surface.
I specialize in two areas:
Custom rebinding – Not to be confused with conservation or book repair (see below), I begin with an existing volume and, according to your vision, transform it into a beautiful binding that reflects some aspect of the contents within. The tooling on the covers can remain simply decorative or, by the customization made possible through my toolmaking, specifically tailored to that project. I can also do work that replicates historic styles of decoration from a variety of eras leading up to the 19th century. Custom rebinding starts at $600.
Commonplace blank books – Beginning with large sheets of beautiful, strong paper, I make blank books whose pages are full of potential. Whether you are looking to record cherished family recipes, immortalize family genealogy, sketch ideas, dissect dreams, or just jot down your grocery list, these timeless bindings provide a space to manifest your intentions. Custom commonplace books start at $400.
So whether you have a cherished book you want to celebrate, or you need a place to write your own story, I will work with you to create a book that is bound with equal measures of function, beauty, and meaning.
Conservation / Restoration / Repair Services
I do not perform any kind of conservation, restoration or repairs. Within the book world, this type of work is seen as a separate field with its own set of considerations and skills. If you’re looking to conserve or restore a precious volume, you can search using the Find a Book Worker tool on the Guild of Book Workers, or the Find a Professional directory from the American Institute for Conservation.
Toolmaking Services
I produce a select range of specialized tools for bookbinding and its related trades. This practice is primarily centered around the creation of finishing tools, which are decorative leather stamps used to compose designs on book covers. Scroll down to see a video of my process.
I aim to create finishing tools that are beautiful and a joy to use. I use the tools I make which in turn informs the way I make my tools. From the hand-engraved details to the turned wooden handles, every finishing tool is made completely by hand and eye. A few times a year, I offer a small batches of new finishing tools with designs I’ve created, and I happily accept commissions for tools you need to execute a specific project.
For my designs, I enjoy creating tools that draw inspiration from my lived experience, both within and without the book world. Some I offer for sale at trade fairs or in my web shop, while others I keep for personal use. To date, I’ve created over 300 unique designs. Prices range from $65-350 depending on the size and complexity of the design, with most costing $125-175.
In my commission work, I am often asked to create binding signatures, to recreate historic designs for conservation work or historic models, or to execute project-specific designs for other binders. My finishing tools are used by bookbinders and book conservators both nationally and internationally. Generally, I ask that you provide me with a digital image to work from, but I can also help with the designing and digitization for an additional fee. Prices range from $85-350 depending on the size and complexity of the design, generally ranging between $165-185.
