During this class we will make 3 items: Two stationery containers, a pen pot and a rectangular tray, along with a post it note book. These beautiful  items all fit onto the tray making it a lovely compact desk set. Ideal gifts for  the forthcoming festive season.

There will be a selection of beautiful papers to choose from including Japanese chiyogami and marbled papers and co-ordinating buckram which is a sturdy book and box covering material. 

All equipment and materials will be provided along with step-by-step demonstration and practice.  

Bennell Court has easy car parking .

Learn how to make this wonderful Pop up Book in a slipcase, it is an adaptation of the pop- up book in a box by Hugo Peller, this one was designed by Christine Hammond. It is an intriguing structure.

You will make a quarter bound hardback book and a co-ordinating slipcase before making an outer cover with integrated ribbons. It is this outer case which allows the book to pop-up on opening and when it is put back into the slipcase it will automatically close the lid. The lid will have magnetic fastenings so there will be lots of new learning opportunities over the course of these two days. 

A selection of decorative papers and buckrams will be available for you to choose from.  All equipment and materials will be provided along with step-by-step demonstration and practice.  

This course is not  suitable for complete beginners.

 In February 2021 I was asked by the  David Parr House to design some limited  edition books for their crowdfunding  campaign. The finished books were  created with an inlaid design, based on  one of the painted wall patterns in the  house. This 2 day workshop will give you  the opportunity to learn to create your  own individually designed inlaid book  cover, using a range of coloured buckrams, which you will then make into a hardbound book. There will be some patterns available to help you with your design ideas.

This workshop is more suitable for those with some previous experience of bookbinding as it requires quite advanced cutting skills.

All tools and materials will be provided.

The Sewn Boards Binding, brought to prominence by American binder Gary Frost,  is the subject of many conversations and variations and with good reason. As well as being an adaptation of ancient Ethiopian binding techniques it also looks 'bang up-to-date' with its crisp edges and streamlined opening ability. It is a great extension to existing binding skills and is also a very helpful starting point for new binders as it does not require the traditional casing-in process! As with other classes, this workshop is taught so that you can repeat at home.

All equipment and materials required will be provided along with step by step demonstration and practice.

Bennell Court is a lovely quiet venue with car parking

Would you like the opportunity to work on your own project but struggle with motivation or space at home? Or just want some company of like minded bookbinders?

If so, this is an ideal chance to spend time in my studio where you can use  my tools and equipment to work on a project of your choice using your own materials. However if you would like me to prepare any boards for you do let me know in advance and I can advise you of the cost.

There are a range of presses and sewing frames available to use as well as my usual tools kits and cutting mats.

I will be on hand to offer some guidance but this is not a teaching session - as I am likely to be working on my own project, or preparing for forthcoming classes alongside you. 

Join me and make your own lidded pencil box with an elastic closure.

This makes a great first box if you have been tempted to learn how to make a box, or a lovely addition to your collection. 

A selection of decorative papers will be available to choose from  and  co-ordinating buckram which is a sturdy book and box covering material. 

You will learn through demonstration and practice the all important skills of measuring, cutting and covering.

All equipment and materials will be provided along with step-by-step demonstration and practice.  Suitable for beginners.

Bennell Court has car parking.

Miniature books are always admired and loved.

In this class you will learn how to  scale things down and produce a  selection of beautiful miniature books  that will be fully functioning and useable.  You will make a  leather  long stitch book as well as some different  hardbound and folded book structures.  These will make ideal gifts, keepsakes,  necklaces or even dare I mention this so soon - Christmas tree  decorations.

All materials will be provided, suitable for beginners.

Bennell Court is a lovely venue with car parking.

During this one-day class you will create your own unique, multi sectioned artist's journal.  The sections of these  journals will be filled with a mixture of beautiful papers graded from off white to black, with each section wrapped in a decorative paper which makes this exposed spine both colourful and interesting. This journal has a wrap around soft cover and lays completely flat when in use making it ideal for journalling or sketching.

Suitable for all, whether you are a beginner or wanting to learn a new book structure.

Bennell Court is a lovely venue with plenty of parking.

Would you like the opportunity to work on your own project but struggle with motivation or space at home? Or just want some company of like minded bookbinders?

If so, this is an ideal chance to spend time in my studio where you can use  my tools and equipment to work on a project of your choice using your own materials. However if you would like me to prepare any boards for you do let me know in advance and I can advise you of the cost.

There are a range of presses and sewing frames available to use as well as my usual tools kits and cutting mats.

I will be on hand to offer some guidance but this is not a teaching session - as I am likely to be working on my own project, or preparing for forthcoming classes alongside you. 

Learn to make this new Landscape Sketchbook which has a decoratively stitched leather or ‘washable paper’ spine and an elastic closure. Filled with lovely thick paper and small enough to fit neatly in a pocket. This is a beautiful, interesting and versatile book structure that opens flat when in use. There will be a variety of coloured  leathers, threads and a range of cover papers available to choose from.

All equipment and materials will be provided along with step-by-step demonstration and practice.  

This workshop is suitable for everyone whether you are a beginner or are looking to learn a new technique.  

Bennell Court has easy car parking.

Japanese-style Album

This binding is one of the earliest 'book' shaped bindings dating back to China in the 14th century.  Today these books are used as sketchbooks, notebooks and with a little extra reinforcement, which you  will learn in this class, albums or scrapbooks. During this workshop you will learn one of the four stitch styles used in traditional Japanese bookbinding . These are beautiful structures to which you can add a variety of creative finishes. 

Suitable for beginners.

Bennell Court has car parking 

In this first seasonal workshop, guided by Chrissie Nicholls - Inkpot and Pen with Helen also adding some elements,  we will be making a range of beautiful items including gift boxes, Christmas bunting, pop up cards and so much more.  It will be a day of learning, playing and generally have fun with paper to create a beautiful selection of Christmas themed items. 

It is our intention to offer more seasonal workshops in the future. 

All materials will be provided, if you have watercolour paints you may wish to bring them with you, suitable for beginners.

Bennell Court is a lovely venue with car parking.

Would you like the opportunity to work on your own project but struggle with motivation or space at home? Or just want some company of like minded bookbinders?

If so, this is an ideal chance to spend time in my studio where you can use  my tools and equipment to work on a project of your choice using your own materials. However if you would like me to prepare any boards for you do let me know in advance and I can advise you of the cost.

There are a range of presses and sewing frames available to use as well as my usual tools kits and cutting mats.

I will be on hand to offer some guidance but this is not a teaching session - as I am likely to be working on my own project, or preparing for forthcoming classes alongside you.