helenHANDMADEBOOKS upcoming events

Open Studio Session. Tuesday, June 9th (09 Jun 2026)

Tue, 09 Jun 2026 09:00:00 GMT

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.

Mapping your World with the Turkish fold. Wednesday, June 10th. (10 Jun 2026)

Wed, 10 Jun 2026 09:00:00 GMT

Create your own map and turn it into a pop up book

In this one day workshop inksmith and mapmaker Chrissie Nicholls will take you through the journey of making your own unique map.

This workshop is about the art of telling a story in a map; recording an area, a memory, or a made up location. Using traditional and new mapping techniques and elements you will bring together your thoughts to create a very personal piece of work. We will begin with a discussion about maps and their importance to us in our everyday lives. You will design and draw your map working towards a finished piece, when finally you will use a traditional fold to transform your flat map into a pop up one and bind it into a cover.

The day is full of instruction and information as you journey with your map. You’ll be able to bring together drawing, lettering and collage techniques with support, guidance and humour throughout the day. You don’t need to be confident with your drawing or lettering, all that’s needed is just a curious and open mind. Some prompts and suggestions will be sent out beforehand to help you gather ideas, observations and reference materials so you can arrive with something personal to work with and not have to come up with ideas on the day....although often these ideas develop or change as the day progresses!

The materials for the workshop are supplied but you are very welcome to bring your own colour pencils, watercolours or pens. We will be in touch a fortnight before the workshop with information about what to bring with you as reference on the day. We have fun in these classes and discussion is encouraged at points through the day so we can learn and be inspired by each other.

More information about Chrissie can be found here: www.inkpotandpen.com Instagram @inkpotandpen

Bennell Court is a lovely venue with car parking.

Coptic Binding. Thursday, June 11th. (11 Jun 2026)

Thu, 11 Jun 2026 09:00:00 GMT

The historic and beautiful 'coptic' binding is a very popular class.
The binding allows the book to lie perfectly flat, making it popular amongst other things as a journal, travel book or artist sketch book. Also, the exposed spine stitching has enormous visual appeal. During the day you will learn how to prepare the pages for binding as well as decide on your own personal decorative style for board covering before getting to grips with the stitching. You will also have creative input on the appearance of the spine itself.
Suitable for beginners.

Bennell Court is a lovely venue with Car Parking.

Diamond Long Stitch Journal, Sunday, June 14th (14 Jun 2026)

Sun, 14 Jun 2026 09:00:00 GMT

Learn to make this new version of a favourite journal which has a decoratively stitched leather or ‘washable paper’ spine, stitched using two colours of thread, and an elastic closure. This is a beautiful, interesting and versatile book structure that opens flat when in use. There will be a variety of coloured threads and a range of cover papers available to choose from.

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

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

Bennell Court has easy car parking.

Book and Page Repairs, with Doug Mitchell. Wednesday, June 17th. (17 Jun 2026)

Wed, 17 Jun 2026 09:00:00 GMT

Doug Mitchell, a highly experienced book conservator, will lead the day, under his guidance and tuition you will learn the basics of book repairs using a variety of cloths, papers, tissues and adhesives. Through a mix of demonstration and practice you will learn how to: Deconstruct a book in a safe and systematic fashion, repair both individual pages and sections, prepare your book should it require resewing, replace the end papers, undertake any repairs to the cover in order to allow new material to be added.

*Please note - To get the most out of this one day class I would recommend that you have some bookbinding experience and that you have made a 'cased in' book, to enable you to understand how to deconstruct your book for repair.

All materials and equipment will be provided, but you will need to bring with you one or two hard cover cloth bound books, no bigger than A5 and with a stable book block, (as time is limited), that you are happy to replace the end papers on.

Make a Punching Cradle and Quarter Binding, Thursday June 18th (18 Jun 2026)

Thu, 18 Jun 2026 09:00:00 GMT

A Punching cradle is such a useful addition to your bookbinding tool kit. This one is made in 3 parts and folds down for easy storage and transportation, yet it is very robust and stable in use. You will spend the morning making your punching cradle and the afternoon putting it to use, making your quarter bound book with a chain stitched spine. 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.

Suitable for beginners.

Bennell Court has easy car parking.

Open Studio Session. Friday, June 19th (19 Jun 2026)

Fri, 19 Jun 2026 09:00:00 GMT

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?

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.

New The 4 Seasons Collection. Weekend - Saturday June 27th & Sunday, June 28th (27 Jun 2026)

Sat, 27 Jun 2026 09:00:00 GMT

This weekend course will enable you to make this beautiful collection of 4 square books with stitched spines, filled with heavyweight papers and finished with an elastic closure. They all lay flat when opened and in use, making them ideal as artist's books for sketching, painting or journalling.

This collection will be housed in a co-ordinating box with a lift off lid.

This course is suitable for beginners, or if you have already completed the Beginning Bookbinding course this will enable you to build on your skills, and provide you with a wonderful set of contemporary books .

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

Bennell Court has easy car parking.

Artist's Mixed Media Journal. Saturday, July 4th (04 Jul 2026)

Sat, 04 Jul 2026 09:00:00 GMT

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.

A5 Half Binding. Wednesday, July 15th. (15 Jul 2026)

Wed, 15 Jul 2026 09:00:00 GMT

In this one day class you will learn how to make a hardbound, hand stitched, half bound book. An opportunity to dip your toes into the wonderful world of bookbinding or expand your skills.

We will be using a choice of beautiful papers for covers and buckram or bookcloth for the spine and corners.

You will leave with the skills and materials to reproduce this again at home.

All materials, tools and equipment will be provided. Suitable for beginners

Bennell Court is a lovely venue with car parking.

New A Variety of Concertina Bindings. Thursday, July 16th. (16 Jul 2026)

Thu, 16 Jul 2026 09:00:00 GMT

In this one day class you will start with making a hardbound concertina binding and then go onto experiment with adding sections and pockets.

We will be using a range of beautiful papers for the covers and there will be a choice of papers for the internal pages, creating some wonderful unique concertina bindings ready to be filled with artwork, writing or photographs. You will leave with the skills and materials to reproduce this again at home.

All materials, tools and equipment will be provided.

Suitable for beginners

Bennell Court has car parking

Stacking Boxes. Saturday, July 18th (18 Jul 2026)

Sat, 18 Jul 2026 09:00:00 GMT

Boxes! How we love boxes!

During this class we will explore a variety of box options including stacking and creating divisions, whilst also learning (through demonstration and practice) the all-important skills of cutting and covering. Although we will work to the same template there will be the opportunity to personalise with covering and lining materials.

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

Participants will leave with one completed box along with materials, instructions and skills to extend the project into a ‘stack’.

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

Bennell Court has easy car parking

Open Studio Session. Thursday, July 23rd (23 Jul 2026)

Thu, 23 Jul 2026 09:00:00 GMT

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?

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.

Batwing Box, Friday July 24th (24 Jul 2026)

Fri, 24 Jul 2026 09:00:00 GMT

This new Batwing Box is a fabulous box structure to add to your collection of boxes or to make as a first box. This is a beautiful box to both make and use. It is quite ingenious and opens up to reveal a rectangular tray - useful for transporting your bookbinding tools or using on your desk. This box was originally developed by Bep van Gesteren. You will have a selection of beautiful papers, buckrams and ribbons to choose from thus creating an individual box for you to go home with.

As with other classes, this workshop is taught so that you will leave with the skills to be able to make another at home.

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

Bennell Court has easy car parking

New Developing an Inlaid Design for a Personalised Hardbound Binding, Thursday, July 30th and Friday July 31st (30 Jul 2026)

Thu, 30 Jul 2026 09:00:00 GMT

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.

Italian inspired Journal and Portfolio Case. Saturday, August 8th. (08 Aug 2026)

Sat, 08 Aug 2026 09:00:00 GMT

I came across a rather lovely book many years ago when in Italy on holiday, which has inspired this small journal. It will have hand torn pages with deckled edges -perhaps a new skill to learn, and will be housed in its own portfolio case making it a very versatile book that can be used as a journal, sketchbook or general notebook.

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. This class is suitable for beginners.

Bennell Court has plenty of car parking spaces.

Mixed Media Journal. Sunday, August 9th (09 Aug 2026)

Sun, 09 Aug 2026 09:00:00 GMT

During this one-day class you will learn a 'speedy' leather or vegetarian ‘washable paper’ binding and then construct your own refillable journal with a mixture of papers, envelopes and pockets to suit you, finished off with an elastic closure.

This structure is ideal as a Travel Journal or Gardening Journal and would also make a fabulous Cookery Journal with places to pop all those quickly-jotted recipes from friends or the treasured notes from family. The choice will be yours on the day.

Lots of appropriate cover papers will be available but if you have a special one in mind, please bring it along.

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

Bennell Court is a lovely venue with car parking

Diamond Long Stitch Journal, Tuesday, August 11th (11 Aug 2026)

Tue, 11 Aug 2026 09:00:00 GMT

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

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

Bennell Court has easy car parking.

Japanese - style Album. Thursday August 13th (13 Aug 2026)

Thu, 13 Aug 2026 09:00:00 GMT

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

Open Studio Session. Friday, August 14th (14 Aug 2026)

Fri, 14 Aug 2026 09:00:00 GMT

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?

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.

Single Page Loop Binding. Thursday, August 20th (20 Aug 2026)

Thu, 20 Aug 2026 09:00:00 GMT

Most classes teach techniques for binding a number of signatures into a book but of course there is often the need to bind single pages too, particularly amongst artists and printmakers.

During this one-day class you will learn how to prepare and make a ‘loop’ binding. The chief value of this binding is that it holds single pages in a traditional book format. It lies flat when open and is a beautiful structure in which to present prints, photographs or other flatwork.

It is also popular as a journal, travel book or artist sketchbook. It is a structure which can be made at home with minimal equipment, and makes a fabulous gift. Once you've done this class it will be possible to bind anything 2-dimensional into a book form - tiles, slates, sheets of perspex or balsa wood; even paper!

Suitable for beginners.

* NEW* Playful Lettering and Sketchbook 3 day Workshop with Chrissie Nicholls and Helen Perry. August 21st - August 23rd (21 Aug 2026)

Fri, 21 Aug 2026 09:00:00 GMT

Walk (or skip) beside me into the world of lettering

Playful Lettering

We will journey into the magical world of lettering together, let’s play, draw and doodle the shapes the proper grown ups call letters! In this workshop you’ll be introduced to some modern day handwriting and calligraphy styles, as well as visiting a couple of traditional styles with a modern twist.

We’ll explore and learn how your sitting position and holding the pen can make a difference, which pens work with which styles and how to ground ourselves so that we are in control of our writing, not the other way around.

We’ll look at ways to embellish a style, make subtle alterations and how we can manipulate the letter shapes for sketchbooks, letters, envelopes even shopping lists, so you build up a personal calligraphic alphabet that you’re confident scribing.

I’m going to treat you to my secrets and show you the styles of lettering I’ve been developing over years.We will cover a lot, so you’ll be tired at the end of the day! You won’t leave being calligraphers or lettering experts, you’ll leave with your rich style to work on and develop in many different situations.

The workshop is designed for people who wish to explore, play and improve their/a hand lettering style. It is not a calligraphy class with hours of drills, it’s very much a taster class of what you can achieve with play.There will be pens for you to try, I will also send you a list of tools and pens you can bring with you so that you get to know and test your own pens’ capabilities.

You will leave with a beautiful filled book, bound on the final day with a leather quarter binding with an elastic closure.

More information about Chrissie can be found here: www.inkpotandpen.com Instagram @inkpotandpen

Bennell Court is a lovely venue with car parking.

The Artist's Collection. 2 days - Thursday August 27th & Friday, August 28th (27 Aug 2026)

Thu, 27 Aug 2026 09:00:00 GMT

This two day course will enable you to make a very versatile collection of books that are designed to show their decorative stitching as well as being very functional.

They all lay flat when opened and in use, making them ideal as artist's books for sketching, painting or journalling. The collection, all filled with a heavyweight Fabriano paper, consists of two hardbound Long Stitched bindings, a Crossed Structure binding, made with either a leather or a washable paper cover.

These bindings are all chosen to compliment each other and when completed they will be housed in a matching slipcase in order to display their decorative spines.

All equipment and materials will be provided along with step-by-step demonstration and practice. You will also be provided with most of the the materials to reproduce these books at home.

Bennell Court has car parking

Introduction to Bookbinding. Single Section Quarter Binding. Wednesday, September 16th. (16 Sep 2026)

Wed, 16 Sep 2026 09:00:00 GMT

In this half day class you will learn how to make a hardbound, hand stitched, quarter bound book. An opportunity to dip your toes into the wonderful world of bookbinding.

This is an ideal class for those who would like to start bookbinding. We will be using a choice of beautiful papers for covers.

You will leave with the skills and materials to reproduce this again at home.

All materials, tools and equipment will be provided. Suitable for beginners

Bennell Court has plenty of car parking spaces.

Secret Belgian Binding. Thursday, September 17th (17 Sep 2026)

Thu, 17 Sep 2026 09:00:00 GMT

Slight controversy over the title of this binding as the inventor (Anne Goy) wishes it to be known as CrissCross Binding but let's not split hairs or threads. This one is a beauty combining the best of western and Japanese bindings resulting in a closed spine which lies flat when open; a very versatile book that can be used as a journal, sketchbook or even photograph album.

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. This class is suitable for beginners.

Bennell Court has easy car parking.

Leather Longstitch Journal & Sketchbook Diaries with Chrissie Nicholls. Saturday 19th September and Sunday, September 20th. (19 Sep 2026)

Sat, 19 Sep 2026 09:00:00 GMT

Leather Longstitch Journal & Sketchbook Diaries

After creating your own beautiful large Leather Long stitch Journal you will start you fill it under the guidance of Chrissie Nicholls of Ink Pot and Pen, the author of ‘The Diary of an Artist in Lockdown’.

Learn ways and tricks to document your life visually, using collage, hand lettering, illustration, maps and so much more.This packed workshop will give you the confidence to start recording not just the wonderful things that happen in life, but also the small details and the tricky moments.

We all know journalling is good for our souls and peace of mind but not everyone can sit and write, some of us want to include drawings and some of us speak in images rather than with words. We’ll also cover sketchbook nerves and how to overcome that first mark on the page.

If you can draw, think you can’t draw, haven’t drawn for a while, then this workshop is for you. All levels welcome, everyone will learn something and take away a sketchbook and head full of ideas!

Some prompts and suggestions will be sent out beforehand to help you gather ideas, observations and reference materials so you can arrive with something personal to work with and not have to come up with ideas on the day....although often these ideas may well develop or change as the day progresses!

More information about Chrissie can be found here: www.inkpotandpen.com Instagram @inkpotandpen

Stationery Box with a Drawer and Magnetic Fastening. Wednesday, September 23rd & Thursday, September 24th (23 Sep 2026)

Wed, 23 Sep 2026 09:00:00 GMT

Join me and make this new very special box with a drawer and lid that closes with a satisfying click due to the incorporation of magnets. Ideal for keeping stationery in or indeed any treasured possessions.

Your box will be covered in buckram and the inside lined with a Japanese paper of your choosing .

You will learn, through demonstration and practice, the all important skills of measuring, cutting and covering. Participants will leave with one completed box along with the skills to reproduce another at home.

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

This is best suited to those of you with previous box making experience.

Bennell Court has easy car parking.

Open Studio Session. Friday, September 25th (25 Sep 2026)

Fri, 25 Sep 2026 09:00:00 GMT

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?

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.

Beginning Bookbinding Weekend. Saturday, September 26th and Sunday, September 27th. (26 Sep 2026)

Sat, 26 Sep 2026 09:00:00 GMT

Over this full weekend of bookbinding you will learn the techniques to complete four beautiful book structures along with a lined slipcase to hold your treasured prototype collection. All of the skills you will learn can be 'mixed and matched' so that you have a myriad of design possibilities after the course. You will make a Quarter Bound Single Section, a Hard Bound Journal, along with a Japanese Stab stitch book and a Concertina binding, finishing the weekend with a lined slipcase.

All materials and equipment are included in the fee and you will also be provided with most of the the materials to reproduce these books at home.

Bennell Court is a lovely venue with car parking

helenHANDMADEBOOKS upcoming events

Open Studio Session. Tuesday, June 9th (09 Jun 2026)

Mapping your World with the Turkish fold. Wednesday, June 10th. (10 Jun 2026)

Coptic Binding. Thursday, June 11th. (11 Jun 2026)

Diamond Long Stitch Journal, Sunday, June 14th (14 Jun 2026)

Book and Page Repairs, with Doug Mitchell. Wednesday, June 17th. (17 Jun 2026)

Make a Punching Cradle and Quarter Binding, Thursday June 18th (18 Jun 2026)

Open Studio Session. Friday, June 19th (19 Jun 2026)

*New* The 4 Seasons Collection. Weekend - Saturday June 27th & Sunday, June 28th (27 Jun 2026)

Artist's Mixed Media Journal. Saturday, July 4th (04 Jul 2026)

A5 Half Binding. Wednesday, July 15th. (15 Jul 2026)

*New* A Variety of Concertina Bindings. Thursday, July 16th. (16 Jul 2026)

Stacking Boxes. Saturday, July 18th (18 Jul 2026)

Open Studio Session. Thursday, July 23rd (23 Jul 2026)

Batwing Box, Friday July 24th (24 Jul 2026)

*New* Developing an Inlaid Design for a Personalised Hardbound Binding, Thursday, July 30th and Friday July 31st (30 Jul 2026)

Italian inspired Journal and Portfolio Case. Saturday, August 8th. (08 Aug 2026)

Mixed Media Journal. Sunday, August 9th (09 Aug 2026)

Diamond Long Stitch Journal, Tuesday, August 11th (11 Aug 2026)

Japanese - style Album. Thursday August 13th (13 Aug 2026)

Open Studio Session. Friday, August 14th (14 Aug 2026)

Single Page Loop Binding. Thursday, August 20th (20 Aug 2026)

* NEW* Playful Lettering and Sketchbook 3 day Workshop with Chrissie Nicholls and Helen Perry. August 21st - August 23rd (21 Aug 2026)

The Artist's Collection. 2 days - Thursday August 27th & Friday, August 28th (27 Aug 2026)

Introduction to Bookbinding. Single Section Quarter Binding. Wednesday, September 16th. (16 Sep 2026)

Secret Belgian Binding. Thursday, September 17th (17 Sep 2026)

Leather Longstitch Journal & Sketchbook Diaries with Chrissie Nicholls. Saturday 19th September and Sunday, September 20th. (19 Sep 2026)

Stationery Box with a Drawer and Magnetic Fastening. Wednesday, September 23rd & Thursday, September 24th (23 Sep 2026)

Open Studio Session. Friday, September 25th (25 Sep 2026)

Beginning Bookbinding Weekend. Saturday, September 26th and Sunday, September 27th. (26 Sep 2026)

New The 4 Seasons Collection. Weekend - Saturday June 27th & Sunday, June 28th (27 Jun 2026)

New A Variety of Concertina Bindings. Thursday, July 16th. (16 Jul 2026)

New Developing an Inlaid Design for a Personalised Hardbound Binding, Thursday, July 30th and Friday July 31st (30 Jul 2026)