Portfolio

We have worked on a variety of private projects over the years, including new bespoke bindings, restoration of family heirlooms and in-situ conservation of artwork.

Seagull Bindery for Alchemy Papers

Seagull Bindery collaborated with artist Sarah Banbery of Alchemy Papers to produce these beautiful bespoke wedding invitations. I crafted concertina bindings and slip cases to finish these miniature works of art by Sarah Banbery, featuring the artist’s signature paper collage style. The collaboration between artist and artisan, each whose work is embedded in the tactile beauty of paper resulted in this breathtaking project.

Photography by Katya de Grunwald.

A pop-up greeting card with floral illustrations, and a wedding invitation inside. Also visible are decorated gift boxes on a beige fabric surface, one wrapped with a bronze satin ribbon.

A large framed painting hangs on a beige wall. Below it is a wooden table with a display of paper cutouts of birds and other objects, arranged in a zigzag pattern, with a decorative sheet of paper with handwritten notes to the right.

Open greeting card with wedding invitation inside, decorated with illustrations of seashells, a clock, and ornate frame designs, on a beige surface, with a patterned gift box in the background.

The Book of Health

Frayed and torn pages of an old, worn-out book with a partially damaged cover.

This Victorian reference book had been chewed by a dog. Almost every page needed repairing, the book needed resewing and the leather cover needed rebuilding.

A torn and worn-out old black hardcover book with damage on the spine and edges.

A large, old black leather-bound book with gold-edged pages resting on a green cutting mat.

Victorian Herbarium

Three old books with worn covers, one red titled "Herbarium" on top, one beige, and a third partially covered, topped with a rolled-up, distressed, and weathered scroll-like object.

Before

This album needed a new spine. Due to its fragile plant specimens, great care had to be taken when handling it.

Close-up of a vintage red leather-bound book with gold lettering on the cover.

After

Vintage poster

This original work had an area of water staining. Following aqueous treatment, the stain was significantly reduced.

A botanical illustration of a green plant with yellow flowers and grayish-green leaves, with a pencil sketch of two vases in the background.

Two kitchen cleaning sponges, one large and one small, placed on a white square piece of paper on a brown surface.

Botanical illustration of plant parts, including a green seed pod with yellow seeds, a flower with feathery petals, and leaves on a beige background.

Ruskin Book

The original spine of this little Ruskin book had to be removed to put new spine leather in place. The text block was re-sewn and the boards re-attached.

Three old worn books stacked on a green cutting mat, with the top book having a dark red cover and the initials 'J. R.' in gold on the front.

Close-up of an old, worn book with a red cover and embossed gold decorative patterns on the spine, resting on a wooden surface.

Close-up of an old, worn red hardcover book with gold embossed initials "J R" on the cover and intricate designs on the spine, placed on a green cutting mat with measurement markings.

Vintage Children’s Book

Before

This family heirloom needed extensive paper repairs, resewing and a new spine.

Red book cover titled 'Babar en famille' by Jean de Brunhoff, featuring cartoon elephants in royal clothing reading a book to a young elephant, with an adult elephant seated on a couch.

After

Roll of Honour

A weathered, stained historical military enlistment poster listing names of men from Hasfield who joined King's Majesty's Forces in the Great War 1914-19, decorated with green border, Union Jack at the top, and decorative illustrations.

Before

St Laurence’s Church in Catsfield, East Sussex brought their Roll of Honour to me, thick with mould and in need of restoration.

Framed historical document titled 'Roll of Honour' listing names of men from Chasetown who joined the King's Forces during the Great War 1914-1919.

After