iBestTravel’s Bookbinding Retreats: A Journey of Creativity
7 March 2023
I was always a bookish child and encouraged to have adventures. I remember my mum arranging for me to visit a pen pal in West Africa when I was 15, during which time I read 28 books and kept a journal. After studying English literature at university, my stepfather sent me a newspaper clipping about a bookbinder near where I grew up. I attended a weekend workshop, made my first book, and everything clicked. I loved the step-by-step process of constructing such a timeless form out of paper, thread, board, and glue. This craft allows for creating order out of chaos, and I instantly knew I would pursue bookbinding for the rest of my life.
From Training to Passion
After training in traditional bookbinding at the London College of Printing, I discovered that my true interest lay in the creative aspects of book forms, rather than solely in restoration and conservation. Consequently, my passion for bookbinding blossomed, leading me to places like Antarctica, where I served as an artist-in-residence. I began teaching workshops in locations such as the Isles of Scilly and Shetland, where I held an annual workshop in a lighthouse for 14 years. I see lighthouses as guiding lights, much like the creativity that I aim to inspire in others.
A New Chapter on Iona
The first time I visited Iona was for love, facilitated by a mutual friend. She suggested I might be interested in a man who crafted a bookcase from an old boat. He lives on the north of the island, near a farm and the sea. After seeing my future writing room during my first visit, I returned and found it transformed with a desk overlooking the ocean, marking the beginning of my profound connection to the island.
iBestTravel’s Retreats in Iona
I host a creative retreat in Iona each spring and sometimes during summer. Upon arrival, participants familiarize themselves with the environment while enjoying activities like walks or swimming. Our mornings begin with light exercises in creativity, including simple folding and collage-making to ease any intimidation associated with creating art in a group. We then practice bookbinding stitches, particularly the ancient Coptic stitch, historically used in early Christian texts in Egypt.
Encouragement and Exploration
Some attendees come with specific goals, yet I often encourage them to remain open and responsive to the inspiring surroundings, including moments on the beach. They may engage in printmaking with natural materials or use a mussel shell as a drawing tool. By the second day, participants select driftwood for book covers and use various materials to colorwash their paper. Each day involves a rhythm of creativity, starting at 10 AM and wrapping up around 4 PM, allowing time for personal reflection, sunset views, or more artistic exploration.
The Significance of Bookbinding
The Reilig Ódhrain, Iona’s oldest building, houses graves of Scotland’s past kings and features a scriptorium where manuscripts were created. On our final day, participants finalize their pages and sew them together, fostering a meditative creative process. While there are many ways to learn bookbinding, this experience is unique. It emphasizes reflection and the significance of personal expression, enabling individuals to explore and discover their creativity.
Upcoming Workshops
I spend half of each year on Iona, conducting virtual retreats, and the other half is dedicated to travel and teaching. This year, I will offer workshops in Bath and Edinburgh, alongside my Love Letters retreat in Paris, focusing on exploring flea markets and paper boutiques. Plans also include returning to Shetland in the summer and a Personal Geographies workshop in Venice, involving hands-on experiences with historical navigational books and maps. Ultimately, my work is about accessing a sense of magic and creativity.
