Each book follows a similar path from first inspiration to holding the finished book in my hands.

Inspiration can come from anywhere, from watching “My Octopus Teacher” to a surprise snow event in my home town of Roanoke VA or spying a red cap mushroom on local hiking trails. Everyday life is a cornucopia of potential ideas for my books.

Inspiration leads to the formation of creative ideas. The ideas are then researched on the internet, often many books are borrowed from the library, and I start seeing the book in my mind’s eye where I visualize the idea of the finished book, the cover representing my artistic interpretation of a landscape or seascape.

I draw out my idea and ruminate on colors of merino wools, end papers and leathers for the spine and back cover. Only then can I start the process of building the book block and needle felting the cover.

The in-boards three part bradel binding is an advanced binding that allows for the attachment of the front and back covers being the very last step. While a complex binding, the bradel provides flexibity in changing the front and back cover all the way until the final step of attaching the boards and finishing the book.

When I am not in my studio, I can be found riding tandem bicycle with my husband while traveling in Europe or riding tandem with our YorkiPoo Finn in the front basket in and around Roanoke VA.