I have been exploring what opportunities and options that are available for me to be able to further my education and skills after uni as a book binder, As a craft trade that preserves and uses a traditional skill I feel I have a real interest in keeping book binding alive and using and by furthering my learning and knowledge I can really master this skill. I came across a few workshops, bursaries, diplomas and apprenticeships that I should be considering as I become more serious about this craft and as a Maker.
The Stationers’ Company provides charity grants for craftsmen who work within the paper, print, publishing, packaging, office products, newspaper, broadcasting and online media industries. as well as providing post graduate bursary schemes for Ma students designed to further their knowledge and bring them into the company.
They also provide scholarship fund provides a smaller and more flexible prize aiding the university student in their graduation and studies.
The Queens Binary apprenticeship is the only one of its kind in the UK and offers the opportunity to gain experience working at the Royal Binary at Windsor and external workshops. This would be a great chance to gain wider knowledge of bookbinding skills including fine leather binding, edge-gilding and gold finishing.( which I am very keen to learn but is extremely specialist).
Shepherds Binary, London and Wiltshire also hold bookbinding workshops and courses that I could consider to widen my skill set. The Wiltshire barn offers level 1, 2 and 3 diploma City and Guild courses. the short course range is vast and is an interesting thing for me to consider to further my education and knowledge on basic binding skills.
Lara Hoad Artist Designer: Maker 