At the moment, I am completely and utterly locked in. Not in a motivational LinkedIn sense, more a ‘there are scraps of bookcloth in places bookcloth should never go and I don’t know what day it is’ way.
I've booked my first few markets, and suddenly all of the things that have lived quite happily on my website now need to exist in actual, physical quantities.
It's all very exciting. It's also becoming increasingly difficult to locate my desk beneath all of the paper on it.
The Great Production Line
One of the strangest things about running a small handmade business is that making one thing feels delightfully creative. Making fifteen of the same thing feels like you've accidentally founded a very niche factory. I have enough cardboard about to convince a passing delivery driver I'm secretly building a second house.
I am having an absolutely brilliant time.
Which, if you'd asked me a few years ago whether I'd enjoy voluntarily turning my room into a tiny medieval production facility, would have come as quite a surprise.
The Scriptorium Is Busier Than Ever
While I've been making physical things, I've also been growing my collection of printable typesets for bookbinding.
There are now more than twenty printable bookbinding typesets available in the shop, covering everything from much-loved classics to some slightly less expected titles.
Whether you're making a gift, building your own library, or just looking for your next binding project, there should hopefully be something that catches your eye.
And if you've been thinking about trying one, two of them are completely free. Both Pride and Prejudice and Grimms’ Fairy Tales can be downloaded at no cost. Go forth and bind, friends!
Whether you've been binding for years or you're simply looking for your next project, they're yours to use.
It's Funny What Becomes Normal
Every so often I stop and realise this has somehow become my life. I get disproportionately excited about a particularly satisfying line of gold foil. I've painted a rotating display stand to look like a medieval tower (and wrote a blog post about it, if you fancy popping back to find that one. There are photos!)
None of this was offered by my school career’s adviser. Yet here we are.
Go Chase the Slightly Ridiculous Thing
One thing this little business has taught me is that most dreams don't arrive fully formed. They arrive looking a bit impractical. Then, if you keep showing up, they quietly become your normal.
A year ago I didn't have a collection of handmade Kindle sleeves, handbound books, literary bookmarks, or printable bookbinding typesets. Now I'm preparing to take them to markets.
That's bonkers and wonderful in equal measure.
So, if there's something you've been putting off because it feels a bit unrealistic - this is a gentle nudge.
Have a go.
Worst case, you learn something. Best case, you end up accidentally running a medieval-themed bookish shop and wondering where all your table space went.
Honestly, I'd recommend it.
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