Handbound by Helen

Handbound by Helen Conservation of Books and archival documents. Handbound books, notebooks, journals. Commissions unde

Fully Accredited and Registered Archive Conservator with the Archives and Records Association. Qualified in 1987 from Guildford College, Accredited and Registered since 2000. Worked for Sheffield Local Authority in the Libraries and Archives department from 1988 - 2006 as an Archive Conservator. Since 2006 I have worked as a freelance Conservator undertaking conservation work for various clients including The Wordsworth Trust, The National Trust, The Mountain Heritage Trust, The North East England Mining Archive, and many private clients. The majority of my work is Conservation but I do also bind notebooks and journals and run bookbinding workshops.

Have spent the day shaping the oak boards for the Medieval Girdle Binding with Linette of Anachronalia and Sabrina of Fi...
06/10/2026

Have spent the day shaping the oak boards for the Medieval Girdle Binding with Linette of Anachronalia and Sabrina of Fiftyeleven . Sore fingers!

A great start to a week with Linette Withers of Anachronalia who's teaching us how to make a Medieval Girdle Book. Sewin...
05/10/2026

A great start to a week with Linette Withers of Anachronalia who's teaching us how to make a Medieval Girdle Book. Sewing and headbands today amongst lots of talk about Medieval style bindings. A very therapeutic day at The Leeds Library.

"We are Repairs" sign the petition to support the "Repair" industry
28/09/2026

"We are Repairs" sign the petition to support the "Repair" industry

Urge the government to support the UK's repair industry

Just a few volumes I've been working on recently!
24/09/2026

Just a few volumes I've been working on recently!

A nice box repaired - the original was damaged by mould (pic 1) so new trays have been made and attached to the origina...
02/09/2026

A nice box repaired - the original was damaged by mould (pic 1) so new trays have been made and attached to the original case.

The latest volume - The New Testament from 1631. Minimal conservation required;Loose pages repaired and reattached Miss...
31/08/2026

The latest volume - The New Testament from 1631. Minimal conservation required;
Loose pages repaired and reattached
Missing leather infilled with Japanese paper dyed down to tone in, loose leather reattached.
Inner spine linings and paste downs secured.

Just a few shots from last night's Society of Bookbinders Annual Dinner. Society of Bookbinders Conference, York Unive...
16/08/2026

Just a few shots from last night's Society of Bookbinders Annual Dinner. Society of Bookbinders Conference, York University 14th - 16th Aug.

A busy few days at the Supplier's Fair at the Society of Bookbinders Conference, York. Great to have you all on board Ma...
16/08/2026

A busy few days at the Supplier's Fair at the Society of Bookbinders Conference, York.
Great to have you all on board Magalie Briand BrilliantMagpieBookbinding.com Harmatan and Oakridge Leather J Hewit and Sons tworiverspaper SHEPHERDS Designer Bookbinders UK Anachronalia Thin Ice Press
Hopefully see all again soon.

community

Another 'Medieval Inspired' binding.I'm so proud to announce that I have been awarded the 'Maureen Duke Educational Awar...
16/08/2026

Another 'Medieval Inspired' binding.
I'm so proud to announce that I have been awarded the 'Maureen Duke Educational Award' for 2026. My thanks to the Norrie Trust and the , to Maureen herself for leaving such a legacy for us to benefit from and to all my friends and colleagues within the bookbinding community. Watch this space for all my adventures.

I've made time this week to complete my little duo of books made with Anna Yevtukh-Squire last week during Gloucester Ar...
31/07/2026

I've made time this week to complete my little duo of books made with Anna Yevtukh-Squire last week during Gloucester Arts and Crafts Group Summer School

Address

Grey Mists, Levens
Kendal
LA88PB

Opening Hours

Monday 10am - 4pm
Tuesday 10am - 4pm
Wednesday 10am - 4pm
Thursday 10am - 4pm
Friday 10am - 4pm

Telephone

07729 125 314

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