A former special-librarian, Joni likes the physicality of books. Creative, and largely self-taught, she’s become an accomplished bookbinder using several techniques and structures including: coptic (both single- and multi-needle), criss-cross (aka “secret Belgian”), French-link, long-stitch, sewn-on-cords, stab, and tacket bindings. She makes albums, calendar diaries, guestbooks, journals, notebooks, portfolios, and sketchbooks, as well as commissioned small editions of poetry, prose, or artwork.
Custom book options include:
— calendar diaries with red-letter dates provided by the client (formats include single- and five-year diaries, weekly planners, and phenology logs);
— in-house design, layout, printing, and production, using the client’s images and text, for the covers and interior pages;
— collaboration with other artists, including Tommy Gillard, Esther Hill, John Himmelfarb, Nick Ringelstetter, Jim Severance, and Jean Wells.
In terms of construction, book covers may use handmade paper, from a variety of sources, or provide an opportunity for Joni to collaborate with her husband Rick. Whether it’s his photography, or images provided by the client, he prints them in- house. He also prepares and finishes the wood used for matched-grain covers.
Please visit Joni’s studio and perhaps you’ll find the perfect book for doodles, sketches, or your own choice words …