In earlyish December, I finished a commission for Mary, who began acquiring my hand-bound books shortly after I opened Bari Zaki Studio in 2015. I asked her permission to showcase what I made for her recently, and she replied, “Yes, you can show off your lovely handiwork that has made me a popular gift-giver.” Blush of gratitude.

Mary took her inspiration for the three new custom books from one she had bought last summer, that I made during a soft-cover Coptic-stitch workshop. I had used a pair of Takeshi Nishijima calendar pages for January, one for the front cover and one for the back. I was thrilled with how the book turned out, and delighted that someone that I knew would appreciate it so much had acquired it. When Mary asked if she could commission three books made the same way, I was ecstatic. I curated my Nishijima reserves, as I needed to be sure I had TWO calendar pages for the same month of a given year. Mary selected one November pair and two August pairs.

We mused about the interior pages, and Mary liked my vision of having signatures of alternating colours. For the two August books, I used Stonehenge in natural white and pale blue. For the November book, I used Hahnemuhle Bugra in blue and gray.

Mary and I had both been aware of Serizawa calendars for many years, purchasing them almost ritually from Aiko’s on Clark Street in Chicago. She reminisces:

“ You introduced me to the Takeshi calendars. I love the differences between the two mingei artists—Serizawa being more abstract and colourful, and Takeshi, with his scenic celebration of nature and folk craft artisans. ”

Mary has commissioned my books for family members as well as dear friends. She comments:

“ Most of my book gifts are based on birthdays, but some on interests. I bought one of your garden-floral covered journals for a friend who gardens, another for someone who loves marbled paper. I have never really asked how my friends use their books, but I know that the person who received the garden book uses hers to keep notes on her garden, and another records memorable moments in her life and quotations she enjoys. ”

Mary has a creative plan for one of her new August books...and when she fulfills her vision, I will hope to have the pleasure of showcasing it on my blog.

In bookbinding bliss, Bari