Etsy :: The Storque :: This Handmade Life :: Process: New Books with Old Materials by theblackspotbooks

Process: New Books with Old Materials by theblackspotbooks


Story by brepettis, weirdwolf Published on November 7, 2008 in This Handmade Life

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Margaux Kent, aka theblackspotbooks, has always had a love for old things. Her handmade leatherbound books have the feel of beautiful antique manuscripts, like something out of a Medieval library that was used by a monk once upon a time. Her books tell stories while waiting for the words of new owners. It's a magical thing.

Margaux made her first book after her well loved vintage Italian journal fell apart at the seams. She could then see how the book was held together and from that experience she learned how to bind books. Then came the next part: what to cover the journals with? Being vegetarian, Margaux didn't want to buy new hides, so she started scouring secondhand shops where she lives in Philadelphia for old discarded leather.

Since then she has repurposed all sorts of well worn leather, from antique chairs, saddlebags, gunbelts to old purses. Her hunt for leather with a past life continues, ever searching for forgotten pieces that she can transform into new treasures.

The books she sells are so gorgeous, they challenge their owners to write really amazing words, do drawings, or paste photos!

Process is a new Etsy video series that features the intimate relationship formed between Etsy sellers and the handmade items that
they create and make available to the world through their online shops. Process is not to be confused with a How-To video, as each video isintended to show each seller's unique artistic voice through the process by which their items come to be.

Did you know you can get videos downloaded automatically by subscribing in iTunes! You can also check us out on Youtube, blip.tv and get the MP4 video too. Embed the video on your blog and you might just get a special treat from us.

In the comments, let us know if there's an artist's process you'd like to see in a video!

Tags	blackspotbooks, book, book binding, books and zines, bound, diary, eric beug, handmade book, journal, leatherbound, margaux kent, PA, Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, process, theblackspotbooks, the black spot books, THIS HANDMADE LIFE, video

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42 comments Login to add your own!

Nov. 7, 2008 at 11:48 a.m.

GemmaBeads

Gorgeous!! Love the look of these books - so rich and tactile!

Nov. 7, 2008 at 11:53 a.m.

gournals

wow. beautiful work!

Nov. 7, 2008 at 12:08 p.m.

dogties

Love it!
Wonderful books too.

Nov. 7, 2008 at 12:12 p.m.

weirdwolf

I love the idea of searching for discarded pieces of well worn leather with a past life... Gorgeous work!

Nov. 7, 2008 at 12:17 p.m.

MariesVintage

So beautiful! I'm in love with the antique saddle journal.

Nov. 7, 2008 at 12:25 p.m.

lollycrispvintage

work it, girl!

Nov. 7, 2008 at 12:31 p.m.

TheBrassHussy

I love looking for old lost items and repurposing them.

Going to estate sales is a great way to find goodies.

Nov. 7, 2008 at 1:07 p.m.

LuLusMeltShoppe

very interesting, in a cool way of course. Very creative!

Nov. 7, 2008 at 1:29 p.m.

fernfiddlehead

That was great.

Nov. 7, 2008 at 3:19 p.m.

kateblack

That was a great video! I love Margeaux's work.

I wish my studio was so well appointed.

Nov. 7, 2008 at 4:43 p.m.

LaveMeSoapCo

how neat!

Nov. 7, 2008 at 4:43 p.m.

rakubuttons

Wonderful. Your items are so eye-catching and quality looking.
I am so mad someone stole your first book. argh ! boo!gah ! ! ! !

Nov. 7, 2008 at 5:54 p.m.

serpilerol

These are absolutely amazing! I can imagine their smells....

Nov. 7, 2008 at 7:02 p.m.

sucree

Gorgeous books! I love that they had a prior life as well.

Nov. 7, 2008 at 10:26 p.m.

starsb117

What an amazing find,love old books,these are a wonderful works of art!!!

Nov. 8, 2008 at 4:40 a.m.

LegendaryTigerHero

Wowee! That's a rad idea! The books look great!!

Nov. 8, 2008 at 1:50 p.m.

UrbanAdornments

Very cool, what an awesome craft to have learned.

Nov. 9, 2008 at 1:14 p.m.

minniesheart

Libros hermosos!

Nov. 10, 2008 at 2:06 a.m.

Lazyfish

So fascinating!

Nov. 10, 2008 at 8:06 a.m.

FlanneryCrane

I've always loved books, especially blank ones and these are beautiful. Thanks for the tour of your studio-I always like to see the work space of others.

Nov. 11, 2008 at 12:29 p.m.

Pir8t

Those are so gorgeous! I really liked the video with the glimpse into your studio and your story!

Nov. 11, 2008 at 1:53 p.m.

ANNALEE63

Your books are beautiful and giving in that the materials you use now have a new beginning! GREAT JOB!

Nov. 14, 2008 at 12:24 a.m.

artdecadence

....thanks for giving us a glimpse of your studio and your process...it's inspiring...

Nov. 14, 2008 at 4:22 a.m.

BluCille

LOVE the books!

Nov. 15, 2008 at 2:45 a.m.

felden

The video piece was excellent. It really invited one into the process.

I had to follow that up with a visit to your shop, which just blew me away!

It would be almost impossible to pick a favorite.

Your love for your materials and process are evident. I could almost smell the leather...

Nov. 18, 2008 at 7:59 p.m.

eclecticconcepts

Totally Cool and Inspiring! Makes you look at old, worn, torn up leather purses in a whole new way.

Dec. 1, 2008 at 12:46 p.m.

BellaMarie

I want them all!

Dec. 7, 2008 at 7:20 p.m.

thelittlebrownwren

These are breathtaking. Wow!!

Dec. 8, 2008 at 9:17 p.m.

filigreelamps

What a wonderful art! Old books are soo beautiful, I think it's great how your able to capture that!

Jan. 6, 2009 at 5:38 a.m.

Patrickcob

spellbinding.

best internet video ever.

gifts coming your way soon.

Patrick x

Jan. 9, 2009 at 4:32 p.m.

Xenotees

This is amazing! I just discovered Margaux's shop & I'm a big fan! Wonderful story!

Feb. 12, 2009 at 12:54 p.m.

Silverymoonbeams

You can feel the love of your books! Love every one of your books. I am glad that you shared the process with us.
Just amazing, Wonderful, Glorious!Breathtaking! Just A Joy!
Sierra

Feb. 13, 2009 at 1:45 p.m.