From Hands-On in the Classroom to Hands-On in the Craft Room EP 67

I LOVE books; they make me feel rich! So, you can imagine my joy at getting to spend time in conversation with someone who shares my love of books!

Like so many arts and crafts, bookbinding, restoration, and conversation is a dying art. Fortunately, there’s Heather Rudolph. Formerly a middle school art teacher, Heather learned bookbinding because she wanted to teach her students how to craft their own sketchbooks and journals.

That effort led to a newspaper story on her unique approach and lesson plan. The article sparked a phone call from a retiring bookbinder – restorer who wanted to pass on her supplies and expertise, as she was retiring. Heather jumped at the chance; her first lesson in the binding process was powerful enough that she knew she wanted to know more.

The retiring pro also passed along her client base… and Heather’s new profession was off to the races, as they say, even if she didn’t fully appreciate what was unfolding. Wanting to learn more and deepen her expertise, she took another, longer class the understand more about restoration and conservation. “It’s much more than just taping torn pages, or regluing covers,” she explains – in case you were wondering!

Another newspaper article was written, picked up by the AP, and splashed across newspapers around the US. New clients started calling, bigger projects came along… and eventually, Heather’s newfound passion became her full-time job! She now lives and works in Columbus, Ohio, with her husband, who is picking up the trade. “He’s a restorer, as well,” she explained. Although, his first love was old motorcycles.

There’s so much involved in real restoration and conservation; and so much more at risk. Many of her clients are bringing her treasured family heirlooms, books with deep sentimental value that have been passed through several generations and need a lot of meticulous and gentle work.

She’s a detective, researcher, historian, artist, caretaker, teacher, and so much more… Listen in and see what you learn from Heather.

Heather’s Bio

Heather Rudolph has a Bachelor’s degree in Interior Architecture and a Master’s in Art Education. She taught visual arts for 15 years, including two years abroad in Thailand, teaching elementary art at a private American school.

During her period as a teacher she started taking classes on bookbinding to share with her students. Shortly thereafter, she was introduced to retired bookbinder, Julie Schleier. Their relationship developed into a mentorship, educating Heather on the many aspects of book conservation and restoration. Heather opened her West Virginia business A Stitch in Time Bookbindery in 2018, and just recently opened Armaria Bookbindery with her husband, Robert Rudolph, in Columbus, Ohio.

The ancient trade of bookbinding is a dying art. Not only does Heather protect the history of books but she is preserving the lost art of bookbinding. She believes it is important to remove the automatic methods of machine and go back to using one’s hands. Manufactured products lose the human touch, creativity, and quality. They are artificially mass-produced, lacking in originality. Heather and Robert want to produce unique handmade work with superior quality. 

“I discovered a new passion and craft in bookbinding. My appreciation for the process to build a book by hand forces me to slow down, be present, and focus. Each book comes with a personal story. I always enjoy hearing the history of the person’s book and sentiment it has to them.”

Connect with Heather:

A Stitch In Time Bookbindery – West Virginia

Armaria Bookbindery

On Facebook

By Phone: 304.916.8008