Can you share the story of how you discovered your passion for bookmaking?
My passion for photography, journaling, and painting naturally led me to bookbinding. While working as a product designer traveling across Pakistan, India, and Nepal, I encountered vibrant cultures, decorative arts, and countless moments I wanted to preserve, but I couldn’t find journals I liked, so I decided to learn how to make my own. In Nepal, I also discovered the beauty and sustainability of handmade paper, which further inspired me to learn bookbinding. In the early '90s, without online resources, I taught myself by carefully taking apart old books and albums, studying their construction, and attempting to rebind them.
Can you share the types of items you make, the mediums you use?
My hand-bound journals incorporate vintage textiles I've collected over 25 years, often using block-printed and painted handmade paper for the covers. I also design limited-edition creative tools like paint palettes and watercolour sets with handmade paper, brushes, and mineral paints. Working with a variety of mediums, including recycled papers, vintage fabrics, and natural dyes, I blend traditional techniques with my own creative twists. Influenced by my English and Pakistani heritage, my work has evolved from a personal love for journaling into a fulfilling creative business, allowing me to make beautiful, functional art for people worldwide. Every hand-bound book I create carries a piece of my journey, infused with the inspiration I've gathered along the way.
Can you tell us where you work and explain a typical day in your studio?
I work from my home bindery and studio in a small village near Kendal in the English Lake District. My work is slow-paced, especially as I manage rheumatoid arthritis, so I adjust my schedule to meet my body’s needs. Mornings are for reading, a leisurely breakfast, and walking my dog, and I typically start work around 11am. I create a couple of unique journal collections each year and take pre-orders annually. To stay focused, I set out my work the night before, allowing me to dive right in when I start. I usually wrap up by 3pm, but sometimes I work late if inspiration strikes.
Can you describe some sources of your inspiration, including current trends and historical influences that shape your work?
I focus on the tactile experience of the journals I bind, prioritising how they feel in my hands over their appearance. This approach lets me create authentic, meaningful pieces without following trends. Preserving heritage textiles is central to my work, as hand-bound journals offer a perfect way to give new life to vintage fabrics, adding layers of meaning by encapsulating history, legacy, and the stories of past generations. Inspired by my South Asian and English heritage, as well as the vibrant patterns and colours of the decorative arts of the Indian subcontinent, I ensure these beautiful traditions are carried forward with authenticity.
Can you tell us more about this featured work, including its inspiration, creation process, and any unique aspects?
I have a cherished collection of old wooden printing blocks, which have been my creative companions for many years. These blocks, rich with history and character, served as the inspiration for my latest project. Recently I made a collection of journals with tea-stained paper and exposed stitching, giving them an authentically vintage look. The tea-stained pages not only add to the rustic aesthetic but also provide a warm, inviting canvas that beautifully complements paintings.
These journals were initially designed to display pressed flowers, however, as I explored their potential, I discovered that the tea-stained pages also enhance the vibrancy of painted motifs. I used my printing blocks to create outlines for some motifs and from there, I brought the designs to life using Guild Lane Jubilee heritage paint colors embellished with the Super GILD gold gilding paint. I was really pleased with how they turned out.
Why do you prefer certain materials or products from Guild Lane and how do they enhance your work?
I adore the colours of Guild Lane paints and how the muted tones complement my style of work. They are vibrant without that unpleasant fluorescent undertone found in some acrylic paints, and they are subdued enough to evoke a historical feel. I can’t believe they are acrylic paints as they almost behave like gouache and can be used like watercolours, I love how versatile they are! I also appreciate that I can use them straight from the bottles without dilution. The fact that they can be applied to various surfaces, including paper, fabric, leather, wood, and glass, is incredible! I’m excited to experiment with them on different materials. Plus, I love how the bottles look when lined up, very pleasing to the eye!
What do you find are your favorite things about running your own creative business?
There are so many things I adore about running my own creative business! Every day, I immerse myself in a world of creativity where making beauty is more than just a job—it’s a way of life. It’s deeply fulfilling to know that my work reflects what I’m most passionate about, and it’s even more rewarding when other creatives resonate with it.
I also value the opportunity to connect and collaborate with fellow creative minds. The community is vibrant and inspiring, and I cherish the direct relationships I have with my collectors through my newsletter and social media. Their support means the world to me.
Flexibility is another major benefit. Managing an autoimmune condition requires me to adjust my work hours according to my energy levels, keeping my creativity flowing and reducing stress. Every day is a new adventure, and I wouldn’t trade it for anything!
Can you describe your approach to teaching bookmaking, the types of workshops you offer, and how you share your knowledge with others?
I aim to make bookbinding fun and accessible, using minimal, inexpensive tools and approaching it as a conceptual art form that encourages creativity with different materials. Through online courses, I share step-by-step instructions and creative insights, designed to be interactive and inspiring. Filmed in a cinematic style for an engaging, stress-free experience, my courses allow you to learn at your own pace.
I currently offer The Keepsake Book, which teaches a unique binding style I developed for creating durable mixed media journals. Another course, The Art of Bookbinding, is a more comprehensive course designed for curious creatives, it covers various binding styles and is ideal for beginners, intermediate level, hobbyists and also those looking to make better books to sell.
The Art of Bookbinding is open for Founding Students to join at a lower price until the end of September 2024; a link can be found on my website to join as a founder and there is also a waitlist for those interested in joining later on.
My courses emphasize the fundamentals and reasoning behind each step, helping students create structurally sound books of different sizes and paper weights while maintaining structural integrity of the book.
Do you have any tips for budding artisans/makers?
Rather than following trends or even your passion, try following your curiosity, it will allow you to approach your creativity with childlike play which will go a long way in helping to develop a style that is meaningful and unique to you, all while you thrive in your creative practice, because creativity is less about talent and more about the practice of it.
Do you have any upcoming projects, goals, or dreams you have for your business and craft?
As I mentioned earlier, I'm currently working on a new online course called The Art of Bookbinding, which has been made possible by the support of founding students who helped fund its development. This course will cover various binding styles, and is expected to launch by the end of 2024. There's a waitlist on my website for those interested in its release. Additionally, I have a new collection of one-of-a-kind journals and a curated receptacle for artists and writers coming to the shop in November.
Where can people find your work, including commissions, online stores, and physical shops?
You can find my work on my website (lotusblubookart.com) and follow along on Instagram (@lotusblubookart) for behind-the-scenes glimpses of what I am creating or exploring. I also send out a newsletter where I share thoughts on creativity and keep my collectors informed about shop restocks. To stay updated on the latest from Lotus Blu, the best way is to sign up for my newsletter.
