From time to time, I profile etsy and artfire artisans. Today’s profile belongs to Bev from La Paperie & Cozy. Bev makes leatherbound handmade journals, among other things. There is just something warm, tactile and wonderful about her creations.
Artfire Studio Name: http://lapaperie.artfire.com
Etsy shop name: http://lapaperie.etsy.com
Website: La Paperie & Cozy
Where else can we find you and your work? http://www3.ns.sympatico.ca/
Twitter: http://twitter.com/lapaperie
Blog: http://lapaperie.wordpress.com
Flickr: http://www.flickr.com/photos/
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/
Location: Nova Scotia, Canada
Your first name: Beverly
Bev says “La Paperie & Cozy is a small one-woman bindery by the sea in beautiful Nova Scotia, Canada. Each book is unique and completely handmade, and often surrounded by cups of tea, three happy cats, and BBC dramas – so all my books are infused with lots of love and felicity! I spend a lot of time selecting beautiful leathers (often times left-over pieces, given a new lease on life) and creating original style combinations to make journal “haute couture.” My books pay homage to favourite authors and classic literary greats, perfect for any enthusiastic literati. ”
Why journals?
This love of creativity has always been with me, and I’ve nurtured it over the years. My love of books started at an early age. After reading The Diary Ann Frank at the age of 10, I started keeping journals (as I’m sure a lot of little girls did), which I’ve done every year of my life since. I’ve always believed that “journal writing is a voyage to the interior.” I remember collecting and obsessing over journals. And guess what? I still do! In my quest for the ‘perfect’ journal over the years, I decided to create my own, and share my love of the blank-book with others. Leather journals have always been my diary of choice, and so I engaged in a self-study of the craft. After a few custom orders from family and friends, and at the suggestion of many, I decided to give my handbound books a wider wing-span, and offer them on my Etsy shop. In 2007, with the support of my husband, I quit my day job at a local newspaper and my little shop, La Paperie & Cozy, was born!
Where did you start and how did you learn to make the products you are creating today?
I hit the books! Yes. I read books to learn how to make books. Rather fitting, non? So yes, I’m self-taught. 
I have always wanted to make my own journals (due to going through journals at the speed of lightening with my insane writing habits) and so for over the course of a year, whenever I had spare time, I had my nose stuck in a book learning the ins and outs of bookbinding.
What was your favorite custom project for a buyer?
I love working with different closures, so I’d have to say my favorite custom projects are ones where I am asked to come up with a unique closure for a book. An example is my original mother-of-pearl shell peg closure – I came up with this one when a customer sent me a shell peg and asked if I could make a journal closure out of it. I did and now I incorporate it in my shop as a regular feature…it’s one of my favorite closures!
What inspires you? Any artists that influence you?
Many things inspire me! With my journals I’d have to say it’s my favourite classic authors and my great ardor for books in general. I can almost imagine literary greats of centuries past writing in handmade journals like these… Jane Austen writing notes as she walks in the pretty wilderness behind her house, annotating her next great work, Pride & Prejudice. Or a young Charles Dickens reminds himself in his journal to incorporate the comic villainy of Mr. Jingle in his first novel, The Pickwick Papers. Inspired by these literary masterminds, my journals’ first pages pay homage to these outstanding writers and some of their best quotes! When it comes to my art, I’m inspired by the simplistic beauty that is in everyday objects and situations.
How do you spend time when you are NOT creating?
When I’m not making books, I can be found with my nose stuck in a good book (most likely a well-loved classic), volunteering in the community, spending time with family and friends, wandering about nature on foot or by canoe or kayak with camera in hand, painting and drawing, wilderness camping, viewing my multitudinous BBC period drama collection, blogging, strumming my guitar, singing back-up for a local recording studio, and writing in a journal of course! My husband and I also love working on our home, which we purchased back in 2006. It needed a lot of TLC, and it’s been a pleasure slowly turning it into the home of our dreams.
What advice would you give to an artist just starting out?
If you are looking to start selling your craft as a sole source of income, it’s very important to do your homework. Research everything! A hobby is one thing, but if you are counting on it as a source of income, it’s important to get all your ducks in a row before starting. It’s hard work but can also be very rewarding. Tell others about what you do, because enthusiasm for your product really goes a long way and it’s contagious. Most importantly, have fun with it! Good clear photos and good descriptions are a major advantage, due to the fact visual impact is so important when it comes to selling/buying online.
Where have you been published or profiled?
I have had the privilege of being featured on my many blogs on handmade and eco-friendly items. Also, my business was featured in a full-page newspaper article in Dec. ’08, which was a rewarding experience (see article here: http://www.novanewsnow.com/
Thanks Bev!
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[...] August 11, 2009 by lapaperie I’ve been featured at Simply Shiny. Thanks, Kristy! Check out the feature at her lovely blog. [...]
Thank you, Kristy, for the lovely feature.
Ooooh, those are amazing. Beautiful.