It all started with a search for the perfect journal. I was sure that if I just found the perfect size, and the perfect paper, and the perfect pen, I would be inspired to think deep thoughts. This led me to take a couple of courses on book-binding.

The first time I took a hand-bound book of the book press and held it in my hands, I was amazed: It looked just like a book! It was, of course, a perfect book, with perfect paper, and I promptly went in search of the perfect writing instrument - an elegant fountain pen. It was a humbling experience. I couldn't write in the book. It was too perfect. I still have the book. It's still blank. The ink bottle remains full, and the fountain pen is like new. That was over a decade ago.

But it launched me into the world of hand-bound books. The books I make for myself occasionally have deep thoughts, but they are just as likely to have a grocery list, a to-do list, a mind-map, a favorite post card, a rough sketch of a new furniture arrangement, a friend's sweater size, phone doodles, or a list of supplies I need to order. Playing with my printer, I developed a travel book, a book to keep track of books I've read, guest books, and lined journals. As my repertoire expanded, I added photo albums, large sketch-books, and a variety of journals.

From there, I taught myself to make boxes. As with my books, I'm my first customer. My house - and the homes and offices of friends -- are filled with my trial-and-error efforts as I experimented with various papers and templates to learn how to make a few basic boxes, which I now make in two different styles and several sizes.

Before I knew it, my little cottage business essentially started itself. As I began to give books as gifts, and offer them as auction items for fund-raising events for non-profit agencies around town, I began to get inquiries to purchase my work. Though I did the things one needs to do in order to be organized and "legal," I made a commitment to keep my business small enough to remain fulfilling and interesting.

Sometimes I make a plan to learn something new. A class, workshop, or work with a client often leads me in a new direction. For example, after co-designing a large wedding keepsake box with a friend, I modified the format and created jewelry boxes in two different sizes. Another customer needed such a box, but thought it would be more flexible if the box had compartments, and so a new version evolved. Even my mistakes occasionally open new doors, offer new ideas, and become incorporated into new designs.

And speaking of new directions and opening new doors, I don't remember how I first became aware to the ZentangleŽ art form, but am eager to play with this new approach to applying design to paper and book cloth. Click here lo learn more about Zentangle.

I sell mostly through word-of-mouth, and at a few small art shows and fairs. Some of my best work is done in collaboration with customers. I carefully select shops and galleries whose other work I admire. When I get too busy, I slow down. When I become too mechanical or uninspired, I stop. I try to keep my work affordable and love to make it available to people who appreciate the small, beautiful touch that comes with giving or receiving a hand-crafted item from my studio.

So fill the books with whatever moves you, and fill the boxes with wonderful treasures. But most of all, enjoy them.