Sollas Bookbinding

Grenitote, Isle of North Uist, Isle of North Uist, HS6 5BP

Type:Arts & Crafts

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Tel:01876 560338

Sollas Bookbinding stack of books
  • Sollas Bookbinding stack of books
  • Sollas Bookbinding 2 books
  • Sollas Bookbinding black box
  • Sollas Bookbinding black book on top of box
  • Sollas Bookbinding green & BLUE BOOK STANDING UP
  • Sollas Bookbinding blue & green casing
  • Sollas Bookbinding red & blue books
  • Sollas Bookbinding at work
  • Sollas Bookbinding blue book fanned out
  • Sollas Bookbinding Englishmans Flora book
  • Sollas Bookbinding book in a box
  • Sollas Bookbinding book casings with pens
  • Sollas Bookbinding red book & sissors
  • Sollas Bookbinding 2 bound books
  • Sollas Bookbinding old book in need of repair
  • Sollas Bookbinding 2 bound books
  • Sollas Bookbinding black open box
  • Sollas Bookbinding 4 bound books
  • Sollas Bookbinding 2 old books
  • Sollas Bookbinding 3 bound books fanned out
  • Sollas Bookbinding book binding tools
  • Sollas Bookbinding 5 bound books
  • Sollas Bookbinding book netting
  • Sollas Bookbinding 3 books fanned out
  • Sollas Bookbinding 2 books bound in Harris Tweed
  • Sollas Bookbinding 2 books fanned out
  • Sollas Bookbinding 3 bound blue books
  • Sollas Bookbinding book netting
  • Sollas Bookbinding selection of books
  • Sollas Bookbinding blue book & netting

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About

My books and boxes are made employing traditional bookbinding techniques which I love adhering to closely. I do however also want to give my work its very own style and feel. I hand craft the decorative paper I use to cover the objects I make. It is effectively a paper batik. Many layers of ink, dyes and wax ensure a rich and deep texture which at times is evocative of sea, sand and rock patterns and at other times a mere aesthetic expression. The wax is ironed out at the end of the process leaving the paper with a very tactile quality to it. This makes my books and boxes attractive and sturdy at the same time.

I also love working with Harris tweed and leather. Here, I work with different book structures like long stitch journals, cross structures and coptic books with handsewn headbands.

Over the years I have participated in a number of group exhibitions travelling to places such as Edinburgh, London and Germany. Playing with traditional book binding techniques and adapting them in response to the place I live in is a real joy. I incorporate new materials into traditional book structures such as sand, netting, fish farm overalls and creel hooks. In my decorative rock papers I play with rock patterns whilst the very process of making these papers with the melting of wax with ink and dyes echoes the melting of sediments in the formation of rocks defining the Uist shore line and visible in each tiny pebble on the beach – an unearthing of patterns and accidentals. In binding my books, I am able to understand my relationship with the spaces that surround me a little better and to communicate its nature with others through the medium of the book.

The use of quality cartridge paper for the book blocks makes the books ideal for sketching, taking notes or keeping thoughts.

The boxes make beautiful homes to jewellery, photographs, artist’s tools, letters and all kind of other treasures.

Each item is individually hand-crafted, making it an ideal ‘special’ gift. I am also very happy to make both books and boxes to order.

Please also get in touch if you want to learn to make a book, I am very happy to show you during a workshop in my studio. Or if you want to try out binding a book in your own time and space, my book kit might just be ideal for you. You find them on my website, at Taigh Chearsabhagh or during your visit to my studio.

 

 

Facilities

Facilities

  • Disabled Access

Payment Methods

  • American Express Card
  • Debit Card
  • Delta Card
  • Diners Card
  • Electron
  • JCB Card
  • Maestro Card
  • Mastercard
  • Solo Card
  • Switch Card
  • VISA Card

Map & Directions

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Awards

  • Other AwardsOuter Hebrides Tourism Member Outer Hebrides Tourism Member 2020
  • Other AwardsPlatinum Listing Platinum Listing 2020

Opening Times

Season (1 Jan 2024 - 31 Dec 2024)

* Open Mon – Fri 9.30 – 3.00. Weekends by appointment. During school summer holidays – July and first two weeks in August – please phone ahead to make sure I am in my studio or call in when the open sign is out. My studio is closed from the 4th of July until the 24th of July as we are away on a family holiday. During that time, some of my work will be available to see across the road at Pauline Prior-Pitt's studio and at the Art on the Map summer exhibition in Taigh Chearsabhagh.
Througout the season my work is available in a number of places such as Uist Wool, Langass Lodge, Shoreline Gallery and Kildonan Craft Shop.

What's Nearby

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  3. Photograph © David Wilson

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  6. Rare flower found only in North Uist!

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  8. The Cuckoo is often seen along the fence running along the edge of Ben Risary plantation.

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  9. Clachan Sands beach is a stunning white sandy beach which is accessible via the village…

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  10. Medium sized, sandy brown, day flying owl.

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  12. This rusty brown, pigeon-sized game bird occurs on the moorland either side of the road.

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  13. Surrounded by rolling moorland and young plantations this is a hotspot for hen harriers…

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