I love handmade books especially those that are a bit different in their construction where the book itself is a work of art as well as having interesting content. Last June I went on a holiday to the Island of Santorini and was fascinated by the small bookshop in OER. I regretted not buying some very small books made like matchbooks housed in a handmade matchbox. so once I got home I ordered some from HERE.
![Small books from Santorini](https://www.anneclarkhandmade.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2013/09/matchbooks1.jpg)
![Another picture of the matchbooks](https://www.anneclarkhandmade.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2013/09/matchbooks.jpg)
This inspired me to try out some different ways of hand makingĀ books. I tried out a very small match box to house my story of ‘Boris the Spider’. This was made by folding and cutting an A5 piece of paper. I also constructed some concertina books stuck inside a large matchbox. The stories inside these boxes were written by children.
- Books housed in matchboxes
![Showing the inside of Sam the Lion.](https://www.anneclarkhandmade.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2013/09/Sam-Book.jpg)
![Showing the inide of The Talking Sheep](https://www.anneclarkhandmade.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2013/09/Flynn-Book.jpg)
Moving on from matchboxes I have experimented with different methods of construction using up pieces of wrapping paper and off cuts of cardboard.
![Open books to show how they are constructed](https://www.anneclarkhandmade.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2013/09/Open-books.jpg)
I have used these as story books or special occasion cards with photos inserted.
As well as experimenting with constructing handmadeĀ books I have covered bought books with fabric and embroidery to make them become a one off special gift.
![Three fabric covered books.](https://www.anneclarkhandmade.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2013/09/3-books.jpg)
Instructions for making the cover for the one covered in denim from some worn out jeans can be found here Angel Eden Blog .
![Book cover made from old jeans.](https://www.anneclarkhandmade.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2013/09/finished.jpg)
With the children’s stories we have used different formats to display they’re work.
![A selection of children's handmade books.](https://www.anneclarkhandmade.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2013/09/childrens-books.jpg)
Producing books in this way does make story writing a more interesting occupation.