Claire Bateman

Welcome to my little niche of the world wide web and the first business I've run since I charged my family members dimes and quarters for bed-making services when I was ten. I'm a lifelong writer, artist, and perfectionist, currently in graduate school for creative writing as a poet. When I stumbled upon book arts four years ago, I might as well have discovered my spiritual El Dorado. I was a student at Wellesley College and the book arts lab became my sanctuary.

As a person with high ideals, I latched onto the best practices and materials like a sticky bramble when I started this business and have yet to let go. I am developing an intense attachment to Chiyogami, and I share my excitement by crafting books with these beautiful Japanese papers while allowing myself to play and explore with various designs.

Since the invention of modern machine-intensive printing and binding techniques, book arts have been relegated to a niche due to the sheer amount of labor involved. I make these books because I love them, and it shows.