Open Studio ‘From Cushendall to Islandmagee’: A Craft Trail through County Antrim

Open Studio Day at Willow Leaves Handmade Books

I am holding an ‘Open Studio Day’ at my workshop near Broughshane, on Saturday 1st August, as part of a craft trail ‘From Cushendall to Islandmagee’ organised by County Antrim Open Studios (CAOS).  The trail takes the visitor to studios in eight different locations across the county to view sculpture, ceramics, jewellery, furniture, original artwork and prints.

I am looking forward to welcoming visitors to my bindery and showing a range of different styles of books and bindings and explaining some of the techniques and tools that I use.  The notebooks, journals and sketchbooks that I make are designed to be both beautiful and functional. I enjoy seeking out unusual paper to create unique books and I often use the artwork of my artist sister as covers or as endpapers, as well as using my own prints.

For the open studio day, I will be sharing my space with textile artist, Norma Beggs, which will give visitors the opportunity to see examples of two very different crafts – and to meet two very different makers – in the one place.

Image Gallery - Click to enlarge