With Gratitude


Hi Reader,

The world has felt particularly turbulent this week. To avoid total overwhelm, I tried to focus on my own tiny sphere of influence by seeking refuge with my family, my friends and my handmade book community.

In doing this I was overcome with such a sense of pride in this group of makers and for this safe space we have made together. I'm so thankful to those who stepped forward this week to teach, to facilitate meetings, to answer questions in the Facebook group and create artwork to inspire others. I'm thankful for a community that puts creativity, caring and inspiration at its heart; that sets aside politics to focus on the healing power of art. Thank YOU for being part of this group that it’s my privilege to lead.

“The imagination is like a lantern. It illuminates the inner landscapes of our life and helps us discover their secret archaeologies." John O'Donohue

The Club Doors are Open!

If you've been thinking about joining the ​Handmade Book Club​​, now is the perfect time! Membership is open until midnight tonight, and February is packed with creative delights. We're excited to welcome Kit Davey as our first artist in residence, and guest artist Tiffany Sharpe will be leading a fun and inspiring watercolor workshop. You won’t want to miss it!

The Handmade Book Club is your place to learn, grow, and share your passion for bookbinding. Whether you're a beginner or a seasoned maker, we provide plenty of content to keep your creativity inspired and thriving.

New on the Blog

In this blog post, I explain how to make a charming mini book and sleeve that feels both meaningful and unique. All you need are a few basic supplies!

Ali's Fun Instagram & Blog Finds

With gratitude,

Ali

145 Main Street, Suite 208, Groton, MA 01450
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Handmade Journals with Ali Manning

I've been growing a creative community since the internet dark ages of 2007 when I started my first blog. I now run an online bookbinding community called the Handmade Book Club. It's a subscription site that provides monthly education and connection. As of the end of of 2023, my list is 23k. I'd love to collaborate with other artists and creators.

Read more from Handmade Journals with Ali Manning

Happy February, Reader, While I’m an introvert and rather solitary soul, moments of connection and collaboration are vital to my well-being and help refuel my creativity. I adore connecting online, but nothing beats a hug and being able to look at others' books in person. That’s why I was thrilled to join the Massachusetts chapter of the Handmade Book Club at Indigo Whimsy in Tewkesbury last week. We worked on a collaborative canvas, chatted, hugged, and shared books. A big shout-out to...

paste paper notebooks

Hi Reader, I just had a perfect winter weekend and it only involved wearing a bra for two hours! I caught up with Substack newsletters, drew some Zentangle tiles and watched an old movie. I played with Flo in the snowy garden, watered house plants and cleaned out a drawer. Andy and I went out for dinner then listened to nostalgic music while sipping gin and tonics. I took a hot bath and experimented with air fryer recipes (not at the same time). This type of weekend might sound boring to...

Hi Reader, I'm having a hard time wrapping my head around the date - November 18th. I know it's been a busy year but holy moly - it seems to have flown by in the blink of an eye. It feels like just yesterday that I was admiring daffodils in my garden and now I'm getting Christmas ornaments out of the attic. As we approach the end of the year and consider the events of 2024, I will reach for my journal to try to make sense and meaning. If you wish to join me, here are some prompts that might...