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Hi Reader,
Some of the most precious pieces of art we own would never hang in a gallery.
They’re the wobbly drawings, mysterious paintings, and wildly enthusiastic creations made by our children. Sometimes we can tell exactly what they were trying to make. Sometimes we smile, tilt our heads, and decide it’s probably best not to ask too many questions.
But whether it looks like a house, a horse, or a very emotional potato doesn’t really matter.
What makes it special is the time they spent on it. The concentration. The pride. The love behind the presentation when they handed it over and waited for our reaction.
We don’t treasure those pieces because they are technically perfect. We treasure them because someone we love made them.
And maybe we could extend a little of that same kindness to our own creative work.
When we try something new, it’s easy to become focused on whether we’re “good” at it. The watercolor didn’t behave. The proportions are off. The stitching wandered. The finished piece looks nothing like the version we imagined.
But not every creative experiment needs to become a masterpiece.
Sometimes the value is in mixing the colors, learning how the materials respond, trying a new technique, or simply spending an hour making something with our own hands. The piece may be awkward, imperfect, or even a little ugly... but still completely worthwhile.
So the next time you find yourself judging what you’ve made, try looking at it the way you would look at a child’s artwork: with curiosity, affection, and appreciation for the effort behind it.
You made something that didn’t exist before. That alone is worth celebrating. 💛
From the Archives
The Accordion Concertina Journal is a fun handmade structure with plenty of space for photos, ephemera, collage, and other small treasures. Its layered, accordion-style pages make it a lovely way to collect, preserve, and display the things you want to keep.
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Tip of the Week
Keep a bookbinding notes page
After finishing a project, jot down what worked, what you’d change, and any measurements you want to remember. Future you will be very grateful.
Book of the Week
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This week’s Book of the Week comes from Sheila Darling, who created this stunning take on the Caterpillar Binding.
The warm rust-colored caterpillar stretches across the soft green cover like a wonderfully unruly little creature that might crawl right off the book!
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If you’re ready to move beyond the basics and keep exploring what handmade books can become, we’d love to have you join us inside the Handmade Book Club.
Team VPD's IG Shares
While Ali is on sabbatical, the VPD Team is taking over Instagram shares. This week's are brought to you by our customer support specialist, Abby:
Warmly,
The VPD Team
