The Sign of the Winged Horse
Whether I'm restoring a beloved family heirloom, binding a special copy for an author, or crafting a bespoke journal for an artist or traveler, my goal is always the same: to bring books to life. My work blends tradition with artistry, creating tactile pieces of art that inspire joy and excitement in the hands of their owners.
My journey into bookbinding began in my grandparents' office, where a small collection of 1920s and 30s Readers' Club books felt ancient and magical to my six-year-old self. Those books sparked a lifelong fascination, and as I grew, I began collecting similar treasures at jumble sales. By my early teens, I had amassed a small library of old books—many of which needed a little love to shine again. My curiosity about restoring them led me to study the craft, and I soon fell headfirst into the world of bookbinding.
In 2018, with a few weeks off between jobs, I decided to share my bookbinding journey on Instagram. What started as a personal challenge turned into a passion-fueled business when people began asking me to restore or bind books for them. I named my workshop The Winged Horse Bindery, inspired by the Pegasus symbol I used to sign my artwork as a teenager—a nod to creativity and timeless beauty.
The Craft
At The Winged Horse Bindery, I specialize in hand-sewn bindings rooted in British traditions of the 16th to 18th centuries. Each book is a testament to meticulous craftsmanship, often featuring gilt or blind tooling and bound using historically accurate techniques. I also restore and repair old books, carefully reviving treasured books while respecting their original character.
One of my favorite aspects of bookbinding is the moment a textblock transforms from a stack of papers into a fully functional book. It's a magical, therapeutic process—watching pages come to life and turn effortlessly as a solid, unified whole.
I often refer to my collection of antique books, using them as guides to recreate the authenticity of historical bindings. For particularly challenging projects, I might even hand-draw missing title pages, blending creativity with preservation.
The Mission
Whether I'm restoring a beloved family heirloom, binding a special copy for an author, or crafting a bespoke journal for an artist or traveler, my goal is always the same: to bring books to life. My work blends tradition with artistry, creating tactile pieces of art that inspire joy and excitement in the hands of their owners.
Thank you for visiting The Winged Horse Bindery. I hope my work inspires the same wonder and joy that books have always brought to my life.