Katie Gonzalez :: linenlaid&felt

I'm a cardigan-wearing bookbinder living and working in Nashville, Tennessee with my husband and my dog.

At a glance:

Hometown: Lake Zurich, Illinois

College: University of Georgia

Husband: Tony, newspaper reporter and juggler

Pet: Riviera, snuggly brindle bullmastiff

Favorite Typefaces: Legacy, Garamond

Preferred Helvetica: Light Condensed

Artists: Chuck Close, Dale Chihuly, Lee Friendlander

Author: Vonnegut

Song: "Love You Madly," by Cake

Travel: Italy, Portland, Charleston, Minneapolis, Sante Fe, Seattle

I studied the art of bookmaking in Cortona, Italy during the summer of 2006. Visiting a medieval bindery, working with luxurious materials, and learning to make paper by hand instilled a sense of traditional techniques into my work. My handbound books channel these traditional techniques into bright, contemporary books that emphasize textures, colors, and patterns. Archival materials make these books — whether journals, photo albums, guest books, or sculptural expressions — into long-lasting works of art.

While attending the art school at the University of Georgia, I dabbled in ceramics, painting, printmaking, letterpress, and photography while earning my degree in graphic design. I was able to and continue to merge these disciplines into my book arts.

Designing everything for my July 2009 wedding -- including binding 200 invitation booklets and a letterpress-printed guest book -- accelerated my desire to open an Etsy shop and participate in local craft fairs.

I work in my home studio among my wheel-thrown ceramic mugs filled with binding tools, my sewing machine, and rolls of decorative papers sprouting from baskets and bins.

I'm a member of the Bookbinding Etsy Street Team (BEST), and you can view the team blog at http://www.bookbindingteam.com/. You can also use the tag bookbindingteam to search for books made by BEST members.

If you have questions, comments, suggestions, or if you would like to place a custom order, please feel free to contact me.

Email: linenlaidfelt [at] gmail [dot] com