Bendigo Bound: Handcrafted Books for Every Occasion

“Do you actually make books?”

This is a question we hear a lot in our cozy little store right in the heart of Bendigo’s Art Precinct. Our shop is packed with all sorts of cool stationery, like fancy fountain pens, colorful inks, and gorgeous Italian paper and envelopes.

One of the highlights is our special section on the mahogany shelves, where you’ll find a bunch of amazing journals, albums, guest books, sketchbooks, and stunning handcrafted books. Even though our sign says “BOOKBINDER & STATIONER,” some folks don’t realize that every single book on those shelves is made by hand right here in our shop!

A collection of ‘Deluxe Bindings”.  These are classics rebound in fines leather with hand marbled endpapers and decorative gold tooling.

Creating each book takes a lot of time—sometimes just a few hours, but if you count the drying time, it can take days! We carefully sew each book together, mold the leather covers, and add cool details like decorative paper sides or fancy end sheets. Every book is one-of-a-kind, which is pretty special in a world where everything is mass-produced and made super fast.

People are often surprised and really happy to learn that someone is crafting these everyday objects by hand. While you might not see our bindery right away (it’s tucked away in the upstairs rooms), we still have some original antique tools displayed in the shop that have been used for almost 20 years. It’s a little peek into the magic behind our books!

Check out some of our creations by following the link below:

Limited Time Offer: Get My Bookbinding Manual

Introduction to Bookbinding: The Manual is my step by step guide for crafting a section sewn, hard-covered book from start to finish.

Do any of these sound like you?

• A passionate bibliophile eager to create timeless books with sewn pages, using the age-old techniques of traditional bookbinding 

• A curious DIY enthusiast with a passion for learning new creative skills, regardless of previous bookbinding experience.

• Dreaming about creating unique and personalised books that capture life's moments, perfect for keepsakes, gifts, or binding your families story.

• A creative spirit with leisure time, seeking a fulfilling hobby that combines artistry with craftmanship

If any of these sound like you, then this is the manual you need. This is the same manual I give to my bookbinding participants and those who are in my online bookbinding course -’ The Beginner’s Bookbinding Blueprint’. It will teach you everything you need to know to create your own, beautiful books by hand.

In addition to the 50 page step by step manual, you will also get templates, material and tool checklists, my video guide to setting up your workspace plus a PDF cover materials guide. I am only making this available for the remainder of 2024 as all my in bindery and online courses are finished for this year.

Grab your manual now before it is gone.

Bookbinding Workshops: Join the Fun in 2025

The wait is over! 2025 Bookbinding workshop dates are now live and taking bookings.

Our full day workshops are a must for anyone who has longed to learn how to craft a book by hand. From sewing the pages, to attaching the cover, all the basics are covered in this fun and hands on day in our Bendigo bindery. You will head home with not only a handcrafted journal (made by you), but also the knowledge, templates and tools to make books over and over again!

As an added bonus, when you participate in our workshops you also get access to our exclusive online bookbinding community for six months. You can join our live, online Q & A sessions and share resources with other aspiring binders.

The workshops are all on a Saturday and run from 9.30 am until approx 3.30pm. The bindery is located in the heart of Bendigo’s Arts Precinct. It’s a great opportunity to spend a weekend in this beautiful and historic city.

If getting to Bendigo is not an option (or our dates don’t suit your schedule), we have an online option just for you. In our online course (that runs twice per year), you will learn the same skills as in the full day workshop, but with the benefit of doing it from home at the pace and time that suits you. You will still have access to the templates, our very popular ‘manual’ and the exclusive bookbinding community for 6 months. When you purchase the online course you also have the added benefit of being able to watch each step as many times as you need, and with lifetime access you will never need to rely on your memory to complete the steps.

If you want to see all the dates, reserve your place or join the waitlist for our online course. Follow the link below.

Vintage Keepsakes: Why traditional Guard Book Style Photo Albums Are Making a Comeback

In today's digital age where most of our photos are stored on our smartphones or cloud storage, traditional photo albums are experiencing a resurgence as beautiful coffee table books. People are increasingly drawn to the tangible nature of physical photo albums, appreciating the ability to touch and feel the memories they hold.

Unlike digital photos that can easily get buried in the endless scroll of a camera roll, photo albums offer a curated and intentional presentation of cherished moments. Flipping through the pages of a well-crafted photo album evokes a sense of nostalgia and joy that swiping through a screen can't replicate.

Moreover, photo albums make for an excellent conversation starter when displayed on a coffee table. Guests are naturally drawn to browse through the pages, sparking reminiscing and storytelling that deepen connections and create new memories.

The physicality of photo albums also adds a personal touch to home decor, bringing warmth and personality to living spaces. With customizable covers, layouts, and paper types, photo albums can be tailored to match any interior design style, making them both a sentimental keepsake and a visually appealing addition to your home.

As we seek to disconnect from our screens and embrace more mindful living, the resurgence of traditional photo albums as coffee table books highlights our desire to savor and celebrate the moments that matter most in a tangible and meaningful way.

For those who have dabbled in basic bookbinding techniques and seek a fresh challenge, consider exploring the art of creating a guard book photo album. This style of bookbinding involves incorporating extra strips of paper, known as guards, to attach individual photos or sheets of paper to a sturdy backing. By experimenting with guard book binding, you can elevate your bookbinding skills while also showcasing your photography or artwork in a unique and visually striking manner. Embrace this opportunity to push your creative boundaries and delve into a new realm of bookbinding possibilities. Our Guard Book Mini Course is an affordable way to level up your skills. You’ll receive step by step guidance for creating this style of book block and with lifetime access to the videos you can watch and re watch until you have it perfected. Click the link below for further infomation.