Owolabi Letters Project

Owolabi Letters Project

Custom Design Binding and Clamshell Enclosure

About the Project

In early October 2025 I was contacted by The Nicest Space, a personal and business concierge, with a project for one of their clients. They asked if I’d be able to make a 3-volume set of the scanned letters from the client’s father and I was more than happy to help. While it is not often people ask me to make more than one book at a time, I am always excited to do this kind of work. 

I set to work right away, having the pages printed on acid-free/archival paper with great resolution. You can really see every detail of the letters, even if they’re smaller than the originals. When I asked them about the design they’d like me to draft for them, all they said was “the family likes tiger lilies”, which was all I needed. I made a few drafts for them to review and we selected the one that resonated with them the most, which also happened to be my favorite, too.

Later in the process, they asked if there was anything I could do for the originals. To which I suggested we make a custom clamshell box for them, keeping with the color scheme of the 3-volumes and working with bookcloth instead of leather. Since the letters were considerably large, using bookcloth is a more practical approach – and more cost effective.

The result is something I am quite proud of. This project really encapsulated all the aspects of my daily bookbinding practice – gold/silver tooling, custom design, clamshell boxes, and just a good quality book that will last for many years.

The Process

In all honesty, the process for this project was fairly straightforward. Beginning with the binding of the books and creating the text-block. The cases came next with a red title panel on the spine. With darker leather, I always enjoy working with silver type, as opposed to gold. While gold is always lovely, there’s something about silver that catches my eye, especially with black leather as the backdrop. Once all that was finished, I focused on the front cover designs, with each one being subtly different and distinct. Since the design was quite ambitious, I opted to execute the tooling before joining the cases to the text-blocks. It all went without issue and the process was incredibly fun.

Bible Recovery 2024

Bible Recovery

About the Project

A client contacted me about their father’s beloved bible and how it needed some restoration work. As with most bibles, it was well used and well-loved;  showing signs of wear in common places, with surprises we would discover along the way.

The Process

Saving the book was a pretty straightforward process. Essentially, we needed to deconstruct it completely to build it back up with quality material. As we broke the book down it was clear that it was a loose-leaf binding (stack of papers glued along the spine). Thankfully, I know a technique that reshapes the book and reinforces it with string/thread, which replicates the structure and functionality of a traditionally bound book.

The client said they wanted to save as much as plausible, which is completely understandable. This book had been in their family for many years, so saving it’s character was the top priority. I began by removing the covers to process them for an inlay (both front and back). The front fly-leaf also had some hand written notes on it, so I repaired it and reattached it to the new endleaf. 

Another challenge came from the stamp on the spine. It was a standard USPS stamp, with the original adhesive still on it. I carefully removed the stamp, neutralized the adhesive, and reapplied it with ph Neutral glue (PVA). It came out nicely and the stamp works well with the overall feel of the spine layout.

Laws of Media

Laws of Media

Marshall and Eric McLuhan

About the Project

This is a special book and I am honored to be showing it here in my portfolio. This is a pre-first edition (direct from the press, before publication) of Marshall and Eric McLuhan’s “Laws of Media”. The owner of this book has had it for many years and it came to me in unsewn signatures.

To have worked with such a treasured piece of history seems surreal and I am happy to have been up to the task. The front cover design is a cuir-ciselé rendition of the first edition cover art.

Clamshell Enclosure

Clamshell Enclosure
A Pima Remembers

About the Project

Sometimes we’d like to have custom work done on a treasured book in our library, however, that may not be the best way forward. A clamshell enclosure is a bedrock expression in the fine binding world and I am excited to begin offering it as a viable option. 

This project came about simply because I desired to expand my horizons and better serve my clientele. Over the years, I’ve been asked to work on many books. However, there have been some people that I had to refuse and refer to a more capable binder—depending on the needs of the project—and I’ve often thought to myself that a clamshell or slipcase would’ve been the perfect answer.

So, I began experimenting! I own a good assortment of books on bookbinding and pieced together the techniques that fit my style and needs. Additionally, I leaned on my dear friends in the bookbinding world, all of whom were so kind and thoughtful in their responses to my questions.

The project turned out to be a huge success, with many lessons and notes I can take into my future work in this arena. With practice I know I will not only improve but I can help more people/collectors in the wider community.

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House of Leaves

House of Leaves

About the Project

This book is a personal addition to my own collection. I wanted to do something fun that both challenged and excited me, utilizing the skills I’ve collected thus far in my binding endeavors. 

Design

Methods

I began with the design to be featured on the front cover. After reading this book I almost instantly knew what wanted to accomplish, and set about scouring for artists. The book itself is an enthralling journey, taking readers on a fantastic journey that is both engaging and mystifying. The premise, without giving too much away, is exploring a home that is larger inside than it is outside. Rooms measure bigger, walls are longer, and doors open to rooms not seen on the exterior. To accomplish this custom design I chose Cuir Ciselé as my preferred method. In order to do this properly, vegetable-tanned sheepskin was needed, and water-based coloring dyes.

Thus, I found some sketch work that caught my attention. I’ve long appreciated the geometric shapes containing a “world within” and felt. it would be a perfect way to capture the story, without detracting from the book itself. As with most custom work I do, I combined several different pieces to make my own design, the first of which is the picture of the diamond river backgrounded by mountains and a starry sky. However, I wanted the mountains to feel a bit different, so I chose another drawing from a map that I enjoy. The trees, too, were not detailed enough. So for this, I decided to do them free-hand.

The result turned out better than I’d expected. The leatherwork went well and the coloring took to the material superbly. Bordering the design I chose a 4-inch fillet with geometric patterns, to match the motif of the overall image.  

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Bijbel Restoration

Bijbel Restoration

About the Project

Family heirlooms are particularly special in my workshop and this bible is no exception. A Dutch ‘Bijbel’ printed and bound in 1910, survived the long journey across the Atlantic with the Kuiper family (now the Cooper family) and needed some work to bring it in to the new century.

Design

Methods

The original book laid in tattered form, as often many books from this age are these days. Sadly, I didn’t take any photos of the original condition. But suffice to say it was barely being held together. Thankfully, all pages were accounted for and repairs soon began on the rebinding of the Bijbel. 

To repair paper there are many products that exist these days and are widely available. The best, however, is a Japanese product called Kozo Washi paper. Its malleability, wet strength and long fibres make it an excellent choice for binders and conservators alike.

The leather selection was another matter entirely. One of the most popular choices for design binding is Morocco, a fine goat skin that is thin and beautiful to look upon. When I spoke with the family of the Bijbel, we decided to go in a different direction. Sheepskin is less used but no less beautiful. Much thicker than Morocco, 0.8 cm vs 0.2 cm (approximately) it adds weight and thickness to the finished product, not to mention the amount of paring needed to bring it to folding levels. Its grain and hair follicles are much wider, too, as adult sheep have thick fur and live a bit longer before slaughter. Sheepskin has often been seen in the binding world as less desirable to work with, for there are two layers of skin to contend with that can sometimes play off each other, making it difficult to tool and work with gold leaf.

Last, but certainly not least, are the raised sections of the design. A simple cross bordered by in-turned corners brings this design home with a simple and elegant look, intended to last generations. This was achieved with an ‘underlay’ of thicker boards and tooled after coloring was complete. 

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The Story of Siegfried

The Story of Siegfried

About the Project

This book has a special place in my heart. I acquired this book at an estate sale, where many jewels lay hidden among the piles of old books and manuscripts. It is not often that something like this is found at estate sales, but when they are it’s truly a treasure.

The Story of Siegfried, Old Norse Sigurðr, is an infamous tale of heroism and tragedy. It is one of the most detailed tales that’s survived since the Viking Age and it’s been captivating audiences for many generations. This specific version of the tale is told through a Germanic perspective, written by a German-American immigrant from the early 1900s and adapted for English speakers. My immediate thoughts behind wanting to do this project has more to do with legacy than it does my own personal enjoyment. Much like Baldwin states in his dedication, I, too, intend for this book to be enjoyed by my children; giving them a perspective into their hereditary past and sharing the tales that their ancestors might have over a fire on a cold night. 

Design

Methods

The original book was not in the worst shape. It’s held up over the years and there was a great look to it. Given time, though, it would have suffered the fate that many books have from that period. The front illustration is in wonderful condition and still has a magical appearance to it. I decided to keep the original image and use it as an inlay for the front cover. 

The spine was decorated with a fine Morocco and treated with 24k gold tooling to accent the panels and raised bands. I stamped a small gold flower between the title and author section of the decorated panel.

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The result felt both natural and stylish, emphasizing the already existing beauty in the work. The only true change I needed to make came in the form of the endleaf, where I needed to combine the free pages from the front and back in order to make a complete picture for the front only. The back endleaf was substituted for acid-free black paper. The inlay came out perfectly, matching up with the raised boards almost seamlessly. This is an important aspect when considering inlays or any decoration on the front cover. Any part of the book that is protruding in some way can become a friction point over time, ultimately decreasing the life of the book significantly.

Darth Vader Comic Book

Darth Vader

About the Project

This is a first for me and what a fun project it turned out to be! The entire collection of the Darth Vader 2015 series, written by Kieron Gillen and Illustrated by Salvador Laroca and Edgar Delgado, is now compiled into a single leather-bound volume. 

Methods

I decided to keep the design to a minimum and showcase the fine Morocco leather used to encapsulate this tome, with a shined finish meant to evoke the terrifying suit of armor that encases the Dark Lord of the Sith. For the spine decoration, I used 24k gold leaf for the title and year while using a blood red metallic leaf for the raised bands. I’ve never used colored metal before and it turned out wonderful.

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This book is both beautiful and formidable at the same time. The classically elegant style of traditional bookbinding brings these comics together in one place, yet the size and look are reflective of Darth Vader himself. This is only the first volume I’ve done but I suspect I’ll be doing more of these. There are three series in total and I can’t wait to begin bringing the full set together.

Until then, enjoy!

Going to Wings

Going to Wings

About the Project

This year kicked off with a fantastic project that was commissioned as a gift for the author! In early January, I received an email asking if I’d be willing/able to create a one-of-a-kind edition, designed specifically with the author in mind.

I am always thrilled to get work like this because I feel that this is one of the foundational motivators for me as a bookbinder. I work on countless books throughout my day, often for personal libraries of special collectors. While it does not happen very often, I personally love creating special books for the authors who wrote them. There is something hermetically balanced about doing this and I always derive great joy in the finished work.

Design

Geometric illusion for custom book cover.

Methods

To achieve this design, we rely on an old and seldom practiced technique in the worlds of both traditional & contemporary bookbinding: cuir-ciselé. Working with veg-tanned sheepskin, we’d carve the design on the front cover, then dye it Forest Green. The client also requested a decorated border to be stamped on both the front and back covers.

One of the main reasons cuir-ciselé is often avoided is simply due because of how time-consuming it is. While the design is relatively simple, drying and wetting the leather repeatedly takes a few days to fully work itself out.  The leather needs to be 100% dry before any coloring is applied.

 

Finished

The result was a book that was both elegant and tasteful, with a boldness that strikes character in any shelf it sits on. As a large-format book, approx 8.5″ x 11″, it sits well in the hand and feels lovely. This book was commissioned as a gift for the author’s personal library. We were honored to work with the raw manuscript that the author worked on herself. She’d already sent the manuscript to her publisher, however, this book was created as her own special edition.

How to Relax

How to Relax

About the Project

This project was commissioned as a gift for a dear friend of the client. 

From the book’s description: How to Relax is part of The Mindfulness Essentials series of how-to titles by Zen Master Thich Nhat Hanh, introducing beginners and reminding seasoned practitioners of the essentials of mindfulness practice. Pocket-sized, with original two color illustrations by Jason DeAntonis, How to Relax shows how critical it is to regularly interrupt the hub-bub and routine of our lives to stop, relax mindfully, and recharge.

Thich Nhat Hanh says that when we relax, we become calm water, and we will reflect reality as it is. If we’re not calm, the image we reflect will be distorted. When the image is distorted by our minds, it’s not the reality, and it causes lots of suffering.” Relaxation is essential for accessing the tranquility and joy that lead to increased personal well-being. With sections on healing, relief from nonstop thinking, transforming unpleasant sounds, solitude, being peace, and more,How to Relax includes meditations you can do to help you achieve the benefits of relaxation no matter where you are.

Scientific studies indicate that meditation contributes tremendously to well-being, general health, and longevity. How to Relax is a unique gift for those who want a simple guide to achieving deep relaxation, controlling stress, and renewing mental freshness and clarity, appropriate for those practicing in any spiritual tradition, whether seasoned practitioners or new to meditations.

Design

Methods

To begin this design, I started with color and materials first. The recipient’s favorite color is red, so I chose a fine Morocco from Russels Leather, considered to be some of the best leather available in the bookbinding world. 

With a little effort on Adobe Photoshop, I  quickly worked out a simple design that was both clear and effective. The Hammock is often associated with relaxation and I feel it worked well for the project at hand. 

With such a small spine to work with, I decided that a verticle display would be best for the title and author panels. While it requires a few more steps to achieve, it is no less beautiful when executed correctly.

Finished

The result was a very nice, compact book that is both beautiful and easy to access. Able to be carried in a bag or purse, this book will prove to be a lovely companion during times that require a bit of meditation or thoughtfulness to get through. I’m very happy with how this turned out and the client was, too! In fact, the client decided to give the gift in my bindery when the project was completed. They both came together and I gave them a quick tour. It was truly lovely to be a part of, as I normally just deliver the finished product and start on my next project.