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My first love was charcoal drawing, then painting with acrylic on canvas, after that watercolors, and then the feeling of clay threw my fingers as I sculpted.
I collected many art books through the years. One book I had was ruined when I spilled coffee on the pages. Nothing to do but throw it out, or so I thought. The cover was so pretty; flowers in a field .This is when I discovered I could give a new beginning to an old worn out book.
It began as a way for me to recycle books that no one wanted. Ones that suffered from unfortunate coffee stains on pages that were worn out The best part for me is to find that special book, that quirky title or that special picture on the cover that’s so different. Then I can create; add a flower, an old broach or ribbons, pearls, anything that goes with the theme of the book. I feel myself get lost into my project, the way a reader might get lost in a story. My book purses become a part of me and sometimes it becomes hard to part with them.
I start by going to garage sales, yard sales, my attic, or used books from the local libraries. I try to find ones with illustrated hard covers. It doesn’t matter if it’s a little aged or worn at the corners. I feel this gives my book purse more character. Once I have found the perfect book, I cut out the core pages, being extra careful not to cut throw to the hard cover. I almost inevitably start to read the first pages and almost always get caught up into the characters, and eventually read the whole book.
By reading the story behind the book purse, I can explain about the book, which makes the book purse so much more than wearable art…now becomes a conversation piece.
I started giving them as gifts to friends and family. Then soon after was receiving custom orders.
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