THE process

“The act of making is so powerful. Taking a pile of stuff and, using just my hands and an idea, wrestling that stuff into a functional object makes me feel competent, confident, and powerful. I am addicted to those feelings.” -J Radford

My book binding journey is grounded in my childhood passion for reading. I remember the sense of anticipation every time I opened the cover of a book. An early YouTube video gave me the audacious idea that I could make my very own book. That audacious idea led me to Penland School of Craft to begin my study of book binding. Longstitch binding, with the exposed sewing, remains my favorite binding structure. I enjoy the challenge of making the structural aspect of the book decorative as well. I custom design all of my long stitch bindings. Binding leather journals is a mainstay of my studio practice and I find joy in every journal I’ve ever made.