The New Bindery
How can I describe the transformation that has taken place? How can I make you understand how my life has changed? Perhaps this photo will help:
Uh oh, that made me a little queasy. The only thing that might make me feel better is a set of TV-makeover style before-and-after photos.
BEFORE: nipping press on a broken dolly on the floor:
BEFORE: kutrimmer buried beneath paper and debris on over-capacity work surface:
AFTER: nipping press and cutter living on their own table like old friends:
BEFORE: paper storage on a warped MDF board tucked behind ladder leading to lofted bed:
AFTER: paper storage in purpose-built table that, when finished, will include two additional paper storage pull out shelves:
BEFORE: laundry infiltrating every available space:
AFTER: THERE IS NO LAUNDRY IN THE NEW BINDERY
AFTER: Everything (EXCEPT LAUNDRY) has a place in the new bindery, even hand drills and powdered adhesives:
and non-powdered adhesives and clips and clamps and wooden bindery equipment:
Two bookshelves mean that all of my books on books and my binding models and my books for sale and my work in progress can inhabit logical places. Here is one:
and here is the other:
BEFORE: And while my old work surface used to make me itch and crumple things into balls and throw them on the floor:
AFTER: My new bench just begs me to come and do things:
which is why I’ve actually started doing things:
Yes, blog friends, It is dawn in the new bindery and things are waiting to be accomplished. Dawn, I tell you.
Sometimes I come in here and I just stare.
More soon.
18 comments on “The New Bindery”
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Big Jump Press 
I am so happy for you that you have such a workspace. It is always a priviledge to see where things happen. I would go in an stare as well.
Thanks Judy! It is like heaven in here.
Lovely, lovely, lovely! Great light, everything has a place but it’s not sterile. Stare away!
Thanks Nancy! I am taking a break from staring to reply to you and then I will stare some more! (and maybe do some more work!)
This is bookbinders heaven!
I agree! Thanks Jan!
Looks wonderful. And I know how you feel– when we got the garage cleaned out and turned into a print shop, I’d go out there just to stand in the space and enjoy the order. Of course, the test is in keeping it that way!
i can only imagine what this is doing for your sleeping arrangments! no more ladder to a loftbed, perhaps? (though actually, i feel like other people–not me–like climbing ladders into bed.)
I am so impressed! This really does look like a TV makeover show!
(You should try selling the photos and a story to a magazine…)
Thanks Fiona! Next stop, daytime television! (Although I really should do some binding first)
bravo. may wonderful work come forth.
Thank you!
PS, your sketches remind me of a lovely novel/memoir Fault Lines, by Meena Alexander. You might look it up if you are still in the explorin’ stage.
Thanks Kirin! I’ll have a look. xx
Congratulations on the new organization. I. too, am in the process of re-organizing shelves, closets, drawers and my life, so I am deeply empathetic. Love, Nanna
Thank you Nanna! I will think of you while I sort paper onto shelves tomorrow! Can’t wait to see your progress next time I am home. Xxx
I am so jealous of your work space!!! Since moving to London I’ve had to go backwards and downsize in space 😦 slowly but surely sorting everything into its own home…long process!
Oh no downsizing! That is the wrong way! Come visit the bindery anytime you like! Brighton is not far away! I hope I see you soon. Good luck with the sorting.