A return to work after 15 years of family life gave me the opportunity to explore book binding and re-train in a skill I had always found fascinating but imagined to be beyond everyday ability. A class at the traditional Brignell Bookbinders in Cambridge soon led to an internship during which it became very clear that many people are fascinated by this ancient craft and interested in learning more. 
Using skills honed in a previous life in adult education I have developed bookbinding classes where participants can produce beautiful and easily-repeatable results after only three hours – the start of an engrossing hobby or even, with some practice, a small business.
Two people who have taken this direction join me for the Histon Handmade event this year –
Handcrafted Books by Sue Day: Inspired by Edel’s bookbinding workshops, Sue was encouraged to pursue her craft and creates books using decorative papers from around the world, leather and eco-friendly cork.
Helen’s Handbound Books: A love of books, sewing and photography came together for me after attending some Edel’s wonderful bookbinding courses. I now concentrate on making books which show their stitched construction and enjoy making covers from original cyanotypes, an old photographic printing process.
WEBSITE: www.edel.uk.net
EMAIL: edel@edel.uk.net
FACEBOOK: @edelhandmadebooks
INSTAGRAM: @edelhandmade
histonhandmade.com 