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Home >> Unique Commissioned Works |
Unique Commissioned Works
Here is the real treasure of imagination - books that people wished
into existence, every one unique, every one magical. Some of these books
are made from specialised materials such as emu leather (to look like
dragon scales), real silver, amber, keys, feathers, dreams.
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Blac Book 32 - Spring
A6 - 240 pages. The first of a series of four books
that join together to create the 'B' design. Etched kangaroo skin,
gold corners. Thought I'd use this as a journal to test the quality
of my own work. White mango leaf endpapers.
Commission: Myself (Adelaide, Australia) Jul 1999
Blac Book 33 - Summer
A6 - 240 pages. Second in a series of four. White
mulberry endpapers.
Commission: Myself (Adelaide, Australia) 06 Jan 2002 |
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Angel
A4 - 312 pages. High quality black suede. Main feature
is a hand sculpted bass relief female angel in white with wings
outstretched. Latin text beneath the angel reads "NASCENTES MORIMUR"
which means "from the moment of birth, we begin to die". The book
is sewn in French style with three reinforcing ribbons and spinal
insert. Red headbands. Black satin tasselled bookmark. Gold/Silver
marbled endpapers.
Cover: 220mm W x 309mm H (8.66 x 12.17in). Page: 210mm W x 297mm
H (8.25 x 11.75in). Weight: 1.29kg (2.85lb).
International Order: Alvin Florentino (New Jersey) 11 Oct 2004 -
01 Dec 2004 |
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Anvil
A6 - 240 pages. Black suede, fiery anvil design
with silver/gold ink highlights on anvil. Black mulberry endpapers
with flakes of mica.
International Order: Steve Rhoades (New Jersey) 23 Mar 2002 - 17 Apr 2002 |
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Anvil A5
A5 - 312 pages. Black suede, fiery Anvil design
with silver/gold ink highlights on anvil. Black satin tasselled bookmark.
Red elephant hide endpapers.
International Order: Jennifer Stodder (Massachusetts) 18 Jan 2003 - 10 Feb 2003 |
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Artist Portfolio
A4 - Portfolio / Presentation Case. Elegant and
durable artist portfolio designed to protect artwork, designs and
photographs in transit. Opens to lay completely flat as an impressive
background to showcase artwork for important presentations. Hand
dyed and polished kangaroo leather finished in Dark Red with the
artist's name, "Tessa Elieff - Portfolio", carved and
painted silver in the bottom right corner. Removable kangaroo leather
belt with silver buckle, secured to the portfolio by two belt loops
on the back cover. Twin heavy-duty nylon coil zips with red satin
tags attached to the zippers. Protective silver metal corners. Heavy-duty
three ring binder mechanism. Supports A4 size photo safe sheet protectors
with acid free black inserts. Riveted hand-cut steel spine gives
immense strength. Internal leather pocket, bound and stitched with
red elephant hide lining. Ends of zips sewn with kangaroo leather
and secured to the binder mechanism with steel eyelets - these can
be moved outside the portfolio to attach a shoulder strap (not provided).
Four steel crimps protect the top and bottom of the spine.
Cover: 290mm W x 360mm H (11.42 x 14.17in). Weight: 0.950kg (2.09lb)
Commission: Tessa Elieff (Adelaide, Australia) 02 Sep 2004 - 19
Jan 2005 |
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The Aviator (Leather Wrap A5)
A5 - 312 pages. Brown oiled kangaroo leather with
extended leather flap, closes with handmade thonging that wraps
around book four times. Sewn in French style with two reinforcing
ribbons. Four ridges on spine with raised emboss of Orion P3 aircraft
in silver. Pen holder located inside front flap. Inside front cover
features a diamond engraved dedication on sterling silver plate
framed in leather; cover also includes leather photo frame with
clear plastic insert to accept two passport-sized photographs. Black
satin tasselled bookmark. Antique elephant hide endpapers.
Commission: Nicole Chugg (Adelaide, Australia) 31 Mar 2003 - 09
Apr 2003 |
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Aviator II (Leather Wrap A5)
A5 - 312 pages. Brown oiled kangaroo leather with
extended leather flap, closes with handmade thonging that wraps
around book four times. Sewn in French style with two reinforcing
ribbons. Five ridges on spine with hand carved NM monogram in gold.
Pen holder located inside front flap. Black satin tasselled bookmark.
Antique elephant hide endpapers.
Commission: Elise Rousell (Sydney, Australia) 07 Apr 2003 - 23 May
2003 |
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Aviator III - Arden (Leather Wrap A5)
A5 - 312 pages. Brown oiled kangaroo leather with
extended leather flap, closes with handmade thonging that wraps
around book four times. Sewn in French style with two reinforcing
ribbons. Four ridges on spine with hand carved Anglonubian goat
head (Prianka) and the word ARDEN in gold. Pen holder located inside
front flap. Black satin tasselled bookmark. Grey-green elephant
hide endpapers.
Commission: Rochelle Veitch (Melbourne, Australia) 07 Jan 2004 -
21 Mar 2004 |
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Aviator IV - Sagittarius (Leather
Wrap A5)
A5 - 312 pages. Brown oiled kangaroo leather with
extended leather flap, closes with handmade thonging that wraps
around book four times. Sewn in French style with two reinforcing
ribbons. Four ridges on spine with hand carved Sagittarius symbol
in gold. Pen holder located inside front flap. Black bookmark with
antique key. Silk endpapers. Weight: 0.737kg (1.63lb).
Commission: Jodi Dowling (Melbourne, Australia) 07 Apr 2004 - 31
May 2004 |
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Aviator V (Leather Wrap A5)
A5 - 312 pages. Brown oiled kangaroo leather with
extended leather flap, closes with handmade thonging that wraps
around book four times. Five ridges on spine with hand carved 'NR'
monogram in gold. Pen holder located inside front flap. The book
is sewn in French style with two reinforcing ribbons and spinal
insert. Black tasselled satin ribbon bookmark. Red headbands. Antique
gold elephant hide endpapers.
Cover: 160mm W x 222mm H (6.30 x 8.74in).
Page: 148mm W x 210mm H (5.88 x 8.25in). Weight: 0.740kg (1.63lb).
Commission: Nadia Bonica (Brisbane, Australia) 29 Aug 2005 - 27
Sep 2005 |
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Aviator VI (Leather Wrap A5)
A5 - 312 pages. Brown oiled kangaroo leather with
extended leather flap, closes with handmade thonging that wraps
around book four times. Five ridges on spine with hand carved 'MF'
monogram in gold. Pen holder located inside front flap. The book
is sewn in French style with two reinforcing ribbons and spinal
insert. Black tasselled satin ribbon bookmark. Red headbands. Antique
gold elephant hide endpapers.
Cover: 158mm W x 220mm H (6.25 x 8.68in).
Page: 148mm W x 210mm H (5.88 x 8.25in).
Weight: approx. 0.720kg (1.59lb).
Commission: Linda Rankin (Lismore, Australia) 14 Nov 2005 - 29 Nov
2005 |
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Aviator VII - Leo (Leather Wrap A5)
A5 - 312 pages. Brown oiled kangaroo leather with
extended leather flap, closes with handmade thonging that wraps
around book four times. Four ridges on spine with hand carved
Leo astrological symbol in silver. Pen holder located inside
front flap. The book is sewn in French style with two reinforcing
ribbons and spinal insert.
Red headbands. Honey brown elephant hide endpapers.
Cover: 158mm W x 220mm H (6.25 x 8.68in).
Page: 148mm W x 210mm H (5.88 x 8.25in).
Weight: approx. 0.720kg
(1.59lb).
Commission: Robert Kings (Queensland, Australia)
09 Dec 2007 - 23 Jan 2008 |
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Aviator A4
A4 - 312 pages. Brown dry oiled kangaroo leather
with extended leather flap, closes with handmade thonging that wraps
around book four times. Hand carved and painted design. Sewn in
French style with three reinforcing ribbons. Five ridges on spine.
Pen holder located inside front flap. Gold tasselled satin ribbon
bookmark. Gold elephant hide endpapers.
Commission: Aidan (Canberra, Australia) 08 Jun 2004 - 30 Aug 2004 |
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Aviator A5
A5 - 312 pages. Brown dry oiled kangaroo leather
with extended leather flap, closes with handmade thonging that
wraps around book four times. Hand carved and painted design with
gold text in French carved in cover under front flap.
The
book is sewn in French style with two reinforcing ribbons. Five
ridges on spine. Pen holder located inside front flap. Black tasselled
satin ribbon bookmark. Antique gold elephant hide endpapers.
Cover: 158mm W x 220mm H (6.25 x 8.68in).
Page: 148mm W x 210mm H (5.88 x 8.25in).
Weight: approx. 0.720kg (1.59lb).
Commission: Erin Claringbold (Sydney, Australia) 24 Sep 2005 - 03
Dec 2005 |
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Reinforced Aviator
A5 - 312 pages. Black dry kangaroo leather with
extended leather flaps, designed for travelling the hard roads.
Based on the original Aviator design, this version has extra flaps
at the top and bottom plus a strap at the fore edge of the pages
to effectively seal the book against the elements. The book is reinforced
with double layers of abbrasion-resistant kangaroo leather (16 separate
pieces) and 108 steel rivets. The adaptable cover closes with two
internal D-ring straps and two external hand-stitched leather belts
with polished buckles. The book is sewn in French style with two
reinforcing ribbons and riveted spinal insert. Red headbands. Four
ridges on spine. Pen holder located inside front flap. Black satin
tasselled bookmark. Black elephant hide endpapers.
Cover: 160mm W x 232mm H (6.30 x 9.13in).
Page: 148mm W x 210mm H (5.88 x 8.25in). Weight: 1.023kg (2.25lb).
International Order: Mike Griesheimer (Indiana) 27 Dec 2004 - 09
May 2005 |
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Reinforced Aviator II
A5 - 312 pages. Black dry kangaroo leather with extended
leather flaps to protect the book in all kinds of weather. The book
has lined parchment pages and is reinforced with double layers of
abbrasion-resistant kangaroo leather and over 100 steel rivets.
The adaptable cover closes with two internal D-ring straps and two
external hand-stitched leather belts with nickel-plated buckles.
The book is sewn in French style with two reinforcing ribbons and
riveted spinal insert. Red headbands. Four ridges on spine. Pen
holder located inside front flap. Black satin tasselled bookmark.
Black elephant hide endpapers.
Cover: 160mm W x 232mm H (6.30 x 9.13in).
Page: 148mm W x 210mm H (5.88 x 8.25in). Weight: 1.026kg (2.26lb).
International Order: Kathe Kurtz (Nevada) 23 Jun 2005 - 10 Aug 2005 |
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Baphomet
A4+ - 1008 pages. Black polished goat leather cut
and resewn with kangaroo leather thonging. Exposed to the light
of the eclipsed sun in Ceduna, Australia on 04 December 2002.
Main feature is huge pewter Baphomet goat's head
in centre of front cover on inverted pentagram, with Garnet eyes
that were exposed to the light of the eclipsed sun. Ouroboros snake
devouring own tail circles clockwise with head at top. Text carved
into the snake reads: "NIGER LITTERAE SACRAE DE SATANAS".
This piece alone weighs 750 grams (1.65lb or 26.5 oz.).
Baphomet centrepiece is surrounded by five crystals
supplied by owner (from top left): fire opal (orange), smoky quartz
(grey/brown), sunshine aura (yellow), obsidian (black), aqua aura
(blue). Eclipsed Poppy Jasper set in three pewter corners with hand
carved frames on front cover, each with 666 stamped into the metal.
Pewter bat with hand carved wings in lower right corner.
Skull locks on cover are engraved with symbols
from the Necronomicon: (3) Marutukku - Master of the Arts of Protection,
possesses the ARRA star or pentagram and works as a ward for the
book; and (41) Lugalanna - Power of the Eldest of the Eldest Ones,
possesses secret knowledge and increases magic ability. Hinged two-piece
locks open with hand made solid sterling silver pentagram keys and
are connected by twin bones to skeletal claws on the back cover.
The jaws of the locks remain on the front cover, and there are crescent-shaped
black leather pads on the backs of the skulls.
Back of book features heavy scarring, skeletal
claws forming base of hinged skull locks, and four Celtic horned
snakes - one in each corner - with flickering tongues of sterling
silver.
Blue glass eye set in pewter circle and triangle
on spine, again with 666 stamped into the metal, made using a new
technique that catches any available light so that the eye appears
to glow from within. Further down the spine, text carved into the
pewter scroll reads: "INOMINE SATANAS".
Oxford hollow back, red headbands, sewn in French
style with three reinforcing ribbons. Inverted pentagram bookmark
on black satin ribbon. Black elephant hide endpapers.
Cover: 246mm W x 309mm H (9.68 x 12.17in). Page: 235.5mm W x 297mm
H (9.27 x 11.69in). Weight: 5.62kg (12.36lb).
International Order: Damien Black (Devon, England) 18 Oct 2002 - 21 Feb 2003 |
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Baphomet A4
A4 - 312
pages. Black dry kangaroo leather, cut and resewn with kangaroo
thonging. Main feature is a large bass relief pewter Baphomet
goat's head in the centre of the front cover on an inverted
pentagram. Ouroboros snake devouring its own tail circles clockwise
around the pentagram with snake's head at top. Text carved
into the snake reads: "NIGER LITTERAE SACRA DE SATANAS".
Pewter corners featuring a spiky moon design
are located in each corner of the front cover and a hand carved
pewter scroll on the spine. Text carved into the pewter scroll
reads: "IN NOMINE SATANAE".
The back of the book features heavy scarring. In the centre of
the back cover is a satanic sigil, created by combining the alchemical
symbols for mercury and sulphur. The trident, including the first
horizontal bar, was used to symbolise mercury or lime. The symbol
for sulphur - the vertical stoke, the two horizontal bars and
the infinity loop - represented black sulphur, brimstone or black
mercury (mercuric sulphide). Alchemically, sulphur has masculine
qualities (hot and dry) - combined with mercury (feminine, cool
and moist) the pair were considered the parents of all metals.
The customer's name has been hand carved into the bottom
of the back cover and finished in silver, along with :6:6:6: as
a reference to the Number of the Beast (666) from the
Bible's "Book of Revelation".
Sewn in French style with spinal insert and two reinforcing ribbons.
Hand carved inverted pentagram bookmark on black satin ribbon. Black elephant
hide endpapers.
Cover: 220mm W x 309mm H (8.66 x 12.17in).
Page: 210mm W x 297mm H (8.25 x 11.75in). Weight: 1.743kg (3.84lb).
International Order: Rebecca Castellano (Arizona) 12 Aug 2005 - 24 May 2007 |
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Bat Album
A4+ - 100 sheets. Massive plain black prisma paper
photo album with glassine inserts. Hand dyed and polished kangaroo
leather finished in black and a mixture of blues (Light Blue, Navy
Blue and Turquoise). The leather cover features an intricately hand-carved
silhouette of tree branches with hanging fruit bats set against
a deep blue sky. One bat has already taken flight and can be seen
against a bright glow in the sky - perhaps the moon.
Handmade pewter flying foxes decorate the corners
and a reversible hanging flying fox panel is situated on the left,
again hand carved from pewter.
This album was made specifically for someone
who works with bats both at the zoo and as part of the Wildlife
Information & Rescue Service (WIRES).
The album is sewn in French style with three
reinforcing ribbons. Oxford hollow back, revolutionary black headbands.
Black prisma endpapers.
Cover: 372mm W x 253mm H (14.65 x 9.96in).
Page: 360mm W x 242mm H (14.17 x 9.52in). Weight: 3.480kg (7.67lb)
Commission: Rob Griffith (Sydney, Australia) 31 May 2005 - 20
Dec 2005 |
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Binki
A6 - 312 pages (oversize). Black leather with silver
metal corners. Retrofitted red satin ribbon bookmark, tasselled
with pewter skull. Black mulberry endpapers with gold leaf. 'Binki'
was the name of Death's horse in Terry Pratchett's Discworld
novels.
Commission: Lee Bennett (Adelaide, Australia) 19 Jul 2002 - 13 Aug 2002 |
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Black Red Goth
A5 - 312 pages. Hand carved kangaroo leather, cover
is one piece hand dyed blood red panels with black corners and spine.
Book closes by winding black hand-plaited kangaroo
thonging around carved pewter four-leaf clover button with
steel shaft. Strap is New Zealand calf leather. Black and batik
gold endpapers.
Cover: 158mm W x 220mm H (6.25 x 8.68in). Page: 148mm W x 210mm
H (5.88 x 8.25in).
Commission: Ben McCallum (Adelaide, Australia) 10 Jun 2004 - 15
Oct 2004 |
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Black Red Goth II
A5 - 312 pages. Hand carved kangaroo leather, cover
is one piece hand dyed blood red panels with black corners and
spine. Book closes by winding black hand-plaited kangaroo thonging
around carved pewter four-leaf clover button with steel shaft.
Strap is New Zealand calf leather. The book is sewn in French
style with two reinforcing ribbons and spinal insert. Red headbands.
Black gold milano endpapers.
Cover: 158mm W x 220mm H (6.25 x 8.68in). Page: 148mm W x 210mm
H (5.88 x 8.25in).
Weight: 0.775kg (1.71lb)
International Order: Matthew Nadreau (Arizona) 14 Dec 2004 - 07
Feb 2005 |
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Blue Water Photo Album
A4+ - 80 pages. Dry mount photo album with acid
free black pages and pergamin interleaves. Hand dyed and polished
kangaroo leather finished in Navy Blue, Turquoise and iridescent
Topaz to catch the light. The dye effects represent the sunlight
shining on the surface of the ocean and streaming into the depths
below.
This photo album was a wedding gift and arrived
on the very day of the wedding. Text carved into the front cover
reads "Joost & Barbara Australia" in silver letters.
The album features three heavy embossed straps on the spine, the
long middle strap surfacing through the cover and closing the album
with a length of black plaited thonging wound around a handmade
pewter starfish. A silver wave border has been carved around the
entire album.
Hand plaited Malibu blue satin ribbon bookmark
with two initial letters (J and B) cut and carved from a single
piece of burnished pewter. Special aqua-blue headbands. Blue elephant
hide endpapers.
Cover: 256mm W x 300mm H (10.08 x 11.81in).
Page: 247mm W x 289mm H (9.72 x 11.38in).
Commission: Jeff Richards (Sydney, Australia) 18 Aug 2005 - 09 Sep
2005 |
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Book of Keys
A3 - 864 pages - album. Dark brown oiled kangaroo
leather with a total of 18 keys set out on a studded chest design,
one key on the front cover has a paper tag.
Prepared for the Guinness World Record for the
World's Longest Fantasy Story "The Search for the Golden Key"
with a goal of raising more than $100,000 for the Women's and Children's
Hospital, Adelaide, Australia. The book consists of a number of
smaller books - (1) The Search for the Golden Key, (2) The Door
to the Future, (3) Twin Earth, (4) The Caretaker, (5) The Final
Days, (6) New Era, (7) From Darkness to Light, (8) The Mysterious
Messenger. The entire story was estimated at over 200,000 words
and would take 24 hours to tell.
Album consists of separate spine, front and back
covers which fasten together with four brass posts (Chicago screws).
Grey/brown elephant hide endpapers.
Cover: 320mm W x 430mm H (12.60 x 16.93in). Page: 297mm W x 420mm
H (11.69 x 16.93in). Weight: 5.8kg (12.79lb).
Commission: Michael J Morel (Adelaide, Australia) 16 Jun 2003 - 04 Oct 2003 |
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Buffy the Vampire Slayer - Darkest
Magick
A4- - 720 pages. Hand dyed brown kangaroo leather with finely detailed
designs. The leather cover has been reverse carved with an intricate gold
scrollwork border and leaf corners. The centre panel features six carved
flourish designs and the bold title of the book - Darkest Magick.
This is a working prop replica of the spellbook
used by Willow in episode 5.19 (Tough Love) of Buffy the Vampire
Slayer where Willow unleashes her vengeful rage on the goddess Glory
for "feeding" on the mind of her lover, Tara.
Five ridges on spine outlined in gold. The main features
on the spine are the words 'Darkest Magick' carved in gold and
a four-pointed swirl surrounded by four small stars. Use of the
number four symbolises drawing magickal power from the four watchtowers.
Two replica books were made - both books close with a handmade
metal book clasp which composes of two riveted brass plates and a hinged wire
closure with a brass chenier roller.
The books are sewn in French style with three reinforcing
ribbons, Oxford hollow back and spinal insert. Special gold headbands.
Honey brown elephant hide endpapers.
Cover: 208mm W x 293mm H (8.19 x 11.5in).
Page: 184mm W x 280mm H (7.25 x 11in). Weight: 2.1kg (4.63lb).
International Order: Kim Mattison (Maryland) 13 Apr 2006 - 29
Jul 2006 |
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Buffy the Vampire Slayer - Witchcraft
A5- - 504 pages.
Hand dyed kangaroo leather in Buffy red (mix of carmine, red and
light brown) with black title band and spine. The main feature is
the title of the book - Witchcraft - reverse carved in gold
on the black band across the front cover and again on the spine.
The black areas are bordered by a single gold line; front and back
covers are blind tooled with subtle double line borders.
This is a working prop replica of the spellbook
used by Willow in episode 3.8 (Lover's Walk) of Buffy the Vampire
Slayer where Willow prepares a de-lusting spell which she hopes will put an end
to her affair with Xander.
Two replica books were made - both finished on
Friday the 13th.
The books are sewn in French style with two reinforcing
ribbons, Oxford hollow back and spinal insert. Special gold
headbands. Black elephant hide endpapers.
Cover: 156mm W x 227mm H (6.14 x 8.94in).
Page: 139.75mm W x 216mm H (5.5 x 8.5in). Weight: 0.925kg (2.04lb).
International Order: Kim Mattison (Maryland) 13 Apr 2006 - 13 Oct
2006 |
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Cass
4in x 6in - 220 pages. Hand dyed black kangaroo
leather with gold 'Cass' and flourish carved into leather cover.
Pages are white acid-free cartridge paper (instead of parchment).
Red double-satin ribbon bookmark with straight diagonal cut. Grey/green
elephant hide endpapers.
Order: Eckersley's Art Supplies (Adelaide, Australia) 11 Dec 2002 - 18 Dec 2002 |
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Celestial Dragon
A5 - 312 pages. Hand dyed turquoise and navy-blue
kangaroo leather. Main feature is a hand sculpted snow dragon in
ice blue and white with wings outstretched, aloft in the night sky
with stars reflected in the lake below.
Sterling silver lockable wire clasp with stylised
dragon wing design and ring-wire gates. Sterling silver padlock
is engraved with SC - the initials of the owner of the book. The
lock opens with a sterling silver sun/moon folding key hand carved
from three layers of 1mm silver plate - the key can be hidden away
inside the disc and worn as a pendant.
The book is sewn in French style with two reinforcing
ribbons and spinal insert. Red headbands. Sky blue satin bookmark
with straight diagonal cut. Blue linen endpapers. The stars in the
background are based on NGC 300 - a Milky-Way-like galaxy about
9 million light years away. It is a member of a small group of galaxies
towards the southern constellation of Sculptor.
Cover: 158mm W x 220mm H (6.25 x 8.68in). Page: 148mm W x 210mm
H (5.88 x 8.25in). Weight: 0.882kg (1.95lb).
International Order: Skyler Courter (California) Book - 01 Oct 2003
- 26 Jul 2004, Clasp 09 Sep 2004 - 11 Dec 2004 |
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Cherubim
A5 - 312 pages. Black suede, gold painted pewter
angel with leaves and rose on right side, cherub below. White mango
leaf endpapers.
Commission: Jo Gant (Adelaide, Australia) Jun 1999 - 02 Jul 1999 |
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Destiny's Key
A6 - 240 pages. Blue shiny material over felt, gold
painted antique key, gold metal corners. Commissioned as a 21st
birthday present for a girl named Destiny. Blue denim endpapers.
Commission: Muriel Bic (Adelaide, Australia) Feb 1999 - 13 Apr 1999 |
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Dragon Knot
A3- - 504 pages. Hand carved kangaroo leather, hand-dyed
purple/burgundy (mix of Red and Turquoise). Main feature is a Celtic
knotwork dragon design carved into the cover with two dragons in
bass relief circling around the outside. Left dragon is a mixture
of iridescent blues and purples, the dragon on the right is painted
in metallic golds, bronzes and greens. The original Dragonknot design
features on the main entry page of this website and was licensed
from talented artist Stephanie Pui-Mun Law.
Carved into the front cover beneath the dragons
are the words "Riht Ongytenes Ge-restan Beinnan" which
in Old English means "true knowledge lies within". On the spine
of the cover is carved the name "Kokila" which means nightingale
in Bengali (Kokila, owner of this book, is a singer of Celtic-style
music). The two birds either side of the name symbolise nightingales.
The back cover features a chalice entwined by tree roots - the silhouette
effect of the chalice was left untouched after the initial dye was
applied.
The book is sewn in French style with four reinforcing
ribbons and an Oxford hollow back plus spinal insert. Red headbands.
Gold tasselled satin ribbon bookmark. Patina elephant hide endpapers.
Cover: 307mm W x 388mm H x 45mm D (12.08 x 15.28 x 1.77in).
Page: 286mm W x 375mm H (11.26 x 14.76in). Weight: 3.4kg (7.50lb).
International Order: Kokila Bennett (New York) 02 May 2003 - 26 Dec 2003 |
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Dragonfly
A5 - 312 pages. Green suede with pewter dragonfly
and fancy silver corners. Sewn in French style with two reinforcing
ribbons. Special cream headbands. Cream satin tasselled bookmark.
Burgundy mulberry endpapers.
Commission: Kristie Smith (Adelaide, Australia) 06 Feb 2002 - 03 Mar 2002 |
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Dragonfly II
A5 - 312 pages. Green suede with pewter dragonfly
and fancy silver corners. Sewn in French style with two reinforcing
ribbons. Red double satin bookmark with straight diagonal cut. Grey/green
elephant hide endpapers.
International Order: Richard Jacobson (Texas) 30 Nov 2002 - 13 Dec 2002 |
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Anelftu Dragonfly
A5 - 624 pages (oversize). Hand dyed green kangaroo
leather with pewter dragonfly on carved and painted gold bullrush/cattail
design. The word "Anelftu" is carved above the dragonfly
and a seven-pointed faerie star below. The four ornate sterling
silver book corners were inspired by the Celestial Dragon clasp
and resemble bugs which tie in with the dragonfly design. The spine
features a seven-pointed faerie star and two bullrush designs with
a small flying dragonfly.
The book is sewn in French style with two reinforcing
ribbons, Oxford hollow back and spinal insert. Special gold headbands.
Silver satin tasselled bookmark. Green and cream abaca endpapers
(cream side dominant).
Cover: 158mm W x 220mm H (6.25 x 8.68in).
Page: 148mm W x 210mm H (5.88 x 8.25in). Weight: 1.157kg (2.55lb).
International Order: Barrie Goshko (California) 06 Feb 2005 - 24
Apr 2005 |
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Jessica Dragonfly A4
A4 - 312 pages. Hand dyed and polished kangaroo
leather finished in purple Oxblood with a pewter dragonfly on a
carved and painted gold bullrush/cattail design. The name "Jessica
May Koppel" is carved above the dragonfly and a seven-pointed
faerie star below. Four silver plated filigree book corners. The
spine features a seven-pointed faerie star and two bullrush designs
with a small flying dragonfly.
Incidentally, the earliest mention of the word
dragonfly is said to be in Francis Bacon's Sylva Sylvarum
(1626) "The delicate coloured dragon flies".
The book is sewn in French style with three reinforcing
ribbons and a spinal insert. Special gold headbands. Silver satin
tasselled bookmark. Rose elephant hide endpapers.
Cover: 220mm W x 309mm H (8.66 x 12.17in).
Page: 210mm W x 297mm H (8.25 x 11.75in). Weight: c. 1.300kg (2.87lb).
Commission: Julio Castillo (Melbourne, Australia) 14 Jul 2005 -
21 Nov 2005 |
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Eckersley's Sampler
A5 - 244 pages. Sampler book using a variety of
materials created as a promotional demonstration book for Eckersley's
Art Supplies (Adelaide, Australia) for Christmas 2002. The 244 pages
consist of: 48 pages of cartridge paper, 28 pages of glossy photo
paper showing colour thumbnails and descriptions of all current
books on this website, and 168 pages of archival quality parchment
paper. Space was required at the back of the book to accept the
folding multi-panel cover.
Front cover is high quality black suede with card
set into cover, silver corner at top and gold corner at bottom.
Spine is punched and laced with black leather thonging to connect
to black leather on back cover.
Cover continues with two panels that fold out from
back of book - first panel is brown oiled kangaroo leather with
emu leg leather inset - second and final panel is low quality
black suede with leather and samples (Brown, Lt. Purple, Dk. Purple,
Blue Job, Maroon Skiv, Green, Green Job, Burgundy, Scarlet Goat,
White, Black Skiv, Black HI-Q, Red, Greasy Roo, Emu Leg, Oiled
Roo - bottom illustrates Black LO-Q).
Endpapers from inside front cover are: Gold elephant
hide, Grey/green elephant hide, Black mulberry with gold leaf,
and Burgundy milano. Book also contains five satin ribbon bookmarks:
narrow black, green and plum with clean diagonal cut; wide red
and black with tasselled finish.
Commission: Craig Henley, Eckersley's Art Supplies (Adelaide,
Australia) 09 Jul 2002 - 04 Nov 2002 |
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Elemental Dragon
A3- - 504 pages. Black polished goat leather with
emu leg spine to look like dragon scale. Main feature is a dragon
pentagram coloured bronze, fixed at five points to a spiky pewter
coverplate with four elemental semi-precious gemstones. North -
Green Malachite, South - Red Tiger Iron, East - Yellow Tiger's Eye,
West - Blue Azuramalachite. All stones were exposed to the light
of the eclipsed sun. Tiger Iron is unique to Australia and was formed
over two billion years ago from a combination of Jasper, Tiger's
Eye and Hematite.
Engraved on the coverplate beneath the dragon
are the words "ALMUG UIN CANAD GWAEW" which means "Dragon
of the four winds" in Sindarin, the language spoken by Tolkien's
Grey Elves. Spiky pewter corners on front and back cover. The cover
alone weighs 1.8kg (3.97lb). Sewn in French style with four reinforcing
ribbons. Red headbands. Red tasselled satin ribbon bookmark. Grey/green
elephant hide endpapers.
Cover: 310mm W x 388mm H (12.20 x 15.28in). Page: 286mm W x 375mm
H (11.26 x 14.76in). Weight: 4.2kg (10.58lb).
International Order: Steven Alnutt (Missouri) 16 Jul 2002 - 03 Aug
2003 |
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Elemental Dragon II
A4+ - 720 pages. Hand dyed black kangaroo leather
with embossed dragon pentagram design and border. A companion volume
to the original Elemental Dragon
(spells and rituals), this robust book will travel a more personal
journey, gathering knowledge along the way.
My first experiment with embossed leather, the
raised dragon and border design are made from three layers of carved
leather and an assortment of new techniques to create a rich 3-D
effect. The dragon and border are subtly 'lit' with gold that is
visible from some angles and invisible from others. The gold text
on the pentacle reads "ALMUG UIN CANAD GWAEW" which means
"Dragon of the four winds" in Sindarin, the language spoken
by Tolkien's Grey Elves in the Lord of the Rings.
The book is sewn in French style with four reinforcing
ribbons, Oxford hollow back and spinal insert. Five ridges on
spine outlined in gold. Special gold headbands. Gold satin tasselled
bookmark. Black gold milano endpapers.
Cover: 278mm x 343mm H (10.94 x 13.50in).
Page: 254mm x 330mm H (10 x 13in). Weight: 3.56kg (7.85lb).
International Order: Steven Alnutt (Missouri) 23 Feb 2005 - 21
Jul 2005 |
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Eye of Baphomet
Inspired by the book 'Baphomet',
blue topaz eye set in sterling silver circle and triangle amulet,
made using a technique that catches any available light so that
the eye appears to glow from within. Each of the three outer triangles
are riveted in three places and engraved with a '6' to form 666.
Handmade round 4-plait black goat leather thonging with sterling
silver hook-and-eye clasp. Black of amulet is polished goat leather.
Amulet measures 50mm (2in) diameter.
Leather thonging measures 600mm (23.6in) from hook to eye.
International Order: Robert 'Nero' Womack (Texas) 11 Mar 2002 - 05 May 2003 |
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Eye of Baphomet II
Inspired by the book 'Baphomet',
blue topaz eye set in sterling silver circle and triangle amulet,
made using a technique that catches any available light so that
the eye appears to glow from within. Each of the three outer triangles
are riveted in three places and engraved with a '6' to form 666.
Round 4-plait black leather thonging with sterling silver hook-and-eye
clasp. The black background of the amulet is polished goat leather.
A handmade black suede pouch was provided.
Amulet measures 50mm (2in) diameter.
Leather thonging measures 700mm (27.56in) from hook to eye.
International Order: John Norman (New Jersey) 14 May 2005 - 07 Jul
2005 |
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Faerie and Stars
A6 - 240 pages. Green suede with pewter faerie and
gold stars. Banana leaf endpapers.
Medieval Festival: 06 Feb 2002 - 24 Mar 2002 |
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Faerie and Stars A5
A5 - 312 pages. Green suede with pewter faerie and
gold stars bottom right corner, fancy silver metal corners. Sewn
in French style with two reinforcing ribbons. Cream satin tasselled
bookmark. Green and cream abaca endpapers (cream side dominant).
International Order: Travis Bedard (California) 08 Dec 2002 - 31 Dec 2002 |
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Finegas
A5 - 252 pages. Full bound in black suede. Oxford
hollow back, red headbands, split-board cover. French joint
ensures easy opening. Single piece silver Celtic pentagram
dominates the cover. Parchment inside, sewn in French style with
two reinforcing ribbons. Blue parchment-print endpapers. The name
Finegas (Finn Eces, Finneces, Finnegas) belonged to an Irish druid
who hoped to become wise by eating the salmon of knowledge.
Unfortunately, his pupil, Finn MacCool (Fionn mac Cumhaill) burnt
his thumb while cooking the fish and sucked the burn. Realising
that his pupil was the one destined for knowledge, Finegas let the
boy eat the whole fish.
Commission: Peter Sharrock 25 Jan 1997 - 14 Mar 1997 |
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Four Dollar Red Feather Book
A6 - 240 pages. Black suede, red suede top hat detailed
with gold wire and red feather (the feather cost four dollars!).
Commissioned as a gift for a red-hat theme birthday party. Blue
denim endpapers.
Commission: Jo Gant (Adelaide, Australia) 21 Mar 1999 - 31 Mar 1999 |
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Gothic Bible
A5- - 820 pages. King James version of the Holy
Bible, recovered in hand dyed black kangaroo leather with silver
cross and circle of flames design carved into leather cover. Latin
text beneath the design reads "Alea iacta est. Aut vincere aut
mori" which means "The die is cast. Either conquer or die (victory
or death)". Silver gilded pages, Oxford hollow back, red
headbands. Red satin ribbon bookmark with straight diagonal cut.
Black and silver endpapers.
Cover: 151mm W x 217mm H (5.95 x 8.54in). Page: 133mm W x 203mm
H (5.25 x 8.00in). Weight: 0.882kg (1.95lb).
International Order: Mike Griesheimer (Indiana) 09 Sep 2004 - 02
Dec 2004 |
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Greek Wedding Album
A4+ - 100+ sheets. Massive plain black prisma paper
photo album with glassine inserts. Hand dyed and polished kangaroo
leather finished in Dark Red (mix of Red, Carmine, London Tan and
Brown). Main feature is a hand carved pewter sculpture of 'The Kiss'
of Eros and Psyche in front of the Parthenon. Hand carved gold border
winds around the entire album. Four ridges on spine. Text carved
into the front cover reads "GREECE HONEYMOON" in white
letters.
The story of Eros and Psyche is the basis
of the fairytale "Beauty and the Beast". A beautiful princess
named Psyche had become so famous for her beauty that men were beginning
to say that she was even more lovely than Aphrodite herself. Aphrodite,
goddess of love, sent her son Eros to cause Psyche to fall in love
with an ugly monster, but instead Eros fell in love with Psyche.
Eros was kind and gentle, and his words were loving and sweet, but
he would not allow Psyche to see his face. Her sisters encouraged
her to find out if he was a terrible monster and she tried to glimpse
his face by the light of an oil lamp - the oil dripped and woke
him and he fled. Aphrodite was still unhappy and set many impossible
tasks for Psyche, which she completed with secret help from Eros.
Eventually Zeus said that Eros had proved his love for Psyche and
made Psyche immortal so that she could live with Eros on Mt Olympus,
happily ever after.
The Parthenon, on the highest part of the
Acropolis (high city) in Athens, was dedicated to Athena Parthenos
(Parthenos means virgin). Begun in 447 BCE, the temple was dedicated
in 438 and remained a temple for almost a thousand years. Sometime
around the 5th century the building was converted into a Christian
church. When the Turks conquered Athens in 1458 they turned the
Parthenon into a mosque. In 1687 a Venetian army besieged the Turkish
garrison on the Acropolis. At this time the Turks were using the
Parthenon as a powder magazine. On 26 September 1687 the Parthenon
sustained a direct hit from a Venetian shell and the powder stored
there exploded. Most of the interior walls of the temple were destroyed.
The album is sewn in French style with three reinforcing
ribbons. Oxford hollow back, revolutionary black headbands. Black
prisma endpapers.
Cover: 360mm W x 265mm H (14.17 x 10.43in). Page: 350mm W x 255mm
H (13.78 x 10.04in). Weight: 3.730kg (8.22lb)
International Order: Tania Agrawal (New Jersey) 26 Dec 2003 - 23
Aug 2004 |
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The Greenwitch Grimoire
12x14in - Album. Hand carved, tooled and embossed
kangaroo leather featuring an arched Celtic knotwork border of
twisted branches framing a woodland scene. Hand embossed leather
is raised up from underneath to create a 3D effect. The cover is
hand painted in a monochrome harmony of mahogany and brown using
a mix of antique stains, dyes and finishes.
The woodland scene is a fairy-tale landscape
of tangled trees, twisted branches, rocks, ferns and mossy
ground. The scene to the left of the tree is dominated by the
foliate head of the Green Man, the Old Man of the Woods, with
his face and beard made of oak leaves. He blends into the forest
becoming gnarled branches above and rocks below. The Green Man
is an extremely old image and appears in Europe where there are
stretches of old relict woodlands, such as the forest of
Sherwood. Here he represents the God of the Woods, the watchful
Spirit of the Forest, and the return of spring after winter.
The forest path winds around to the right of
the tree and symbolises the path of the Green Witch. Two coyotes
pause on the path by the ferns, one watches a whitetail deer in
the distance - he has clearly seen the coyotes. A screech owl in
the border watches from its perch. The path continues into the
forest until it vanishes over a rise, and a hawk flies over a
brief clearing in the foliage.
The knotwork border forms an arch of branches
and tendrils, with the canopy at the top and fine roots at the
bottom. Hidden within the border are five birds (from top right,
clockwise): blackbird, screech owl, sparrow, blackbird, sparrow.
The top corners are filled with oak leaves and a ruby-in-zoisite
cabochon rests in each corner of the front cover.
Ruby in Zoisite (Anyolite) is a mix of green
zoisite and black hornblende with opaque ruby inclusions. It is
found in Kenya and Tanzania, Africa. This stone relates to
creativity and healing and helps ideas swirling around in our
heads to stabilise and focus. It provides for amplification of
psychic abilities and healing energy, and increases awareness of
self while remaining connected to humanity.
The removable flat spine with four ridges and
adjustable Chicago screws (brass posts) allows this leather
grimoire to grow over the years. The front and back covers can
be used without the spine to start with a limited amount of
pages (1 to 2 inches). With the spine, four large Chicago screws
add strength to allow for 3 inches of paper and up to 3.5in with
extensions - well over 1000 pages.
The back cover features a reverse carved eye
in triangle sigil. Honey brown elephant hide endpapers.
This Grimoire for the Green Witch was
designed to contain an existing book of shadows - a collection
of hand written pages of spells and water colour paintings of
plants and herbs. This green witch lives on a large farm,
collects her own herbs either grown or wild, and runs her own
flower shop. Green witches are practical folk using what is
available, and feel comfortable spending time alone walking
quietly among the trees and watching the birds and animals.
This project took over two years to create
requiring almost 300 hours of unpaid work. The cost for tools
and materials alone far exceeded the original budget.
Cover: 311mm W x 368mm H (12.25 x 14.50in).
Page: 305mm W x 343mm H (12.00 x 13.50in). Weight: 1.358kg
(3lb).
International Order: Tamera Strong (Michigan) 15 Jan 2005 - 21
Feb 2007 |
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Haggis
A4 - 256 pages. Halfbound black suede with MacDonald
of Glencoe tartan (red with black and yellow stripes). Oxford
hollow back, red headbands inside binding, reinforced board cover.
French joint ensures easy opening. Three interlocking silver triangles
form the Valnott or Key to Valhalla, with a taxidermist's
glass crocodile eye watching from the centre. Parchment inside,
sewn in French style with four reinforcing ribbons. Buff parchment
endpapers. Dedication inside reads:
Dedicated... In the Year of our Lord 1314, patriots
of Scotland, starving and outnumbered, charged the fields of Bannockburn.
They fought like warrior poets. They fought like Scotsmen... And
won their freedom forever...
Those of
the Ėsatru religion who have dedicated their lives to Odin favour
the Valnott. The Valnott or " death knot ", the triple triangle
shown above, is one of Odin's symbols. Odin's followers have a
tendency to die violently.
Commission: Mark Winton 08 Nov 1996 - 23 Dec 1996
|
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Iolena
A4 - 256 pages. Full bound in black suede. Oxford
hollow back, red headbands, reinforced split-board cover. French
joint ensures easy opening. Large silver pentagram enclosed by two
circles dominates the cover with crescent moon and four-pointed
star in top right and again in bottom left corners. Parchment inside,
sewn in French style with four reinforcing ribbons. The name 'Iolena'
is a combination of 'dawn cloud' and the moon, befitting the stars
and moon on the cover, as well as being born on the eve of a new
year. Buff parchment endpapers.
Commission: Robert Romanoski 31 Dec 1996 - 17 Feb 1997 |
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Kanji My Brother A6
A6 - 240 pages. Hand dyed and polished kangaroo
leather finished in Navy Blue, Light Blue and Turquoise. Front cover
features a sunken vertical centre panel with embossed Japanese Kanji
text which translates to mean "My Brother Tsutomu". Back
cover also has carved text in Kanji, English and Greek which reads
"Bright Blessings (happiness and light) with love Haralampos".
A double-line silver border appears on both front and back covers
and spine.
The book is sewn in French style and has a spinal
insert. Silver satin ribbon bookmark with straight diagonal cut.
Special blue headbands. Blue elephant hide endpapers.
Cover: 113mm W x 159mm H (4.45 x 6.26in).
Page: 105mm W x 148mm H (4.13 x 5.88in). Weight: 0.330kg (0.73lb).
International Order: Harry Toulacis (Japan) 16 Oct 2005 - 23 Nov 2005 |
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Kiankha
A4 - 720 pages. Black cow leather. Main feature
is a large hand cast pewter pentagram painted in textured metallic
blue, green, purple and silver with gold sparkles. Four ornate pewter
corners on the front cover and a hand carved pewter scroll on the
spine. Text carved into the pewter scroll is the Wiccan Rede "AN'
IT HARM NONE DO WHAT YE WILL".
Sterling silver lockable wire clasp with +/- Ankh
design. Small brass padlock features engraved pentagram which works
as a protective ward for the book. The lock opens with a sterling
silver ankh key hand carved from a single piece of silver plate
- the key was made to be worn as a pendant.
The name Kiankha (ki-ankh-a) comes from KI, the
life force and also a Sumerian Earth goddess, ANKH, the Egyptian
hieroglyph for life and KA, the Egyptian equivalent of the soul
or spirit.
Sewn in French style with three reinforcing ribbons.
Oxford hollow back, red headbands. Three red satin ribbon bookmarks,
each with a different key. Gold elephant hide endpapers.
Cover: 220mm W x 309mm H (8.66 x 12.17in). Page: 210mm W x 297mm
H (8.25 x 11.75in).
Commission: Maddy Hardy (Adelaide, Australia) 10 Aug 2003 - 13 Jun
2004 |
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Kiankha A5
A5 - 360 pages. Black cow leather. Main feature
is a large hand cast pewter pentagram painted in metallic blue,
green and purple with gold sparkles. Four ornate pewter corners
on the front cover and a hand carved pewter scroll on the spine.
Text carved into the pewter scroll is the Wiccan Rede "AN'
IT HARM NONE DO WHAT YE WILL".
Sterling silver lockable wire clasp with +/-
Ankh design. Sterling silver padlock is engraved with a pentagram
to work as a protective ward for the book. The lock opens with
a hardened sterling silver ankh key hand carved from a single
piece of silver plate - the key was made to be worn as an earring.
This book is half the size and half the number
of pages of the original Kiankha
book. The name Kiankha (ki-ankh-a) comes from KI, the life force
and also a Sumerian Earth goddess, ANKH, the Egyptian hieroglyph
for life and KA, the Egyptian equivalent of the soul or spirit.
The book has lined parchment pages and a printed
dedication on the first page (18th Birthday). The book is sewn
in French style with two reinforcing ribbons and spinal insert.
Red headbands. Three red satin ribbon bookmarks with keys. Blue
elephant hide endpapers.
Cover: 158mm W x 220mm H (6.25 x 8.68in).
Page: 148mm W x 210mm H (5.88 x 8.25in). Weight: 0.920kg (2.03lb).
International Order: Rachel Townsend (Ammanford, Wales) 09 Apr 2005 - 02
Feb 2006 |
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Knight Owl
A5 - 312 pages. Green suede with pewter owl and
arc of stars, fancy silver corners. Handmade pewter DF monogram
top of spine. Sewn in French style with two reinforcing ribbons.
Forest green satin tasselled bookmark. Burgundy mulberry endpapers.
International Order: Vajitha Ghouse (Ontario, Canada) 30 May 2002 - 16 Jul 2002 |
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Monster Book
A3- - 300 pages. A life size replica of a magical
creature - nasty and vicious, it will try to bite the hand of anyone
who opens it. Gold text on the front of the book reads "The
Monster Book
". Full bound in kangaroo fur with
'fight' marks, tentacles and spines. The padded tentacles are hand
dyed and carved kangaroo leather, and wired to allow them to be
bent into any position. Four yellow eyes in the centre of the cover,
eyebrows and nostrils. Side of the book features hand sculpted and
painted teeth with a hinged bottom jaw. Deep red leather forked
tongue bookmark. Pages are handmade cotton rag paper with deckled
edges. The book is sewn in French style with four reinforcing ribbons.
Oxford hollow back. White cotton rag endpapers.
Cover: 323mm W x 409mm H (12.71 x 16.10in). Page: 275mm W x 380mm
H (10.83 x 14.96in). Weight: 4.46kg (9.83lb).
Commission: Kirsten Gooch (Melbourne, Australia) 14 Jul 2004 - 23
Dec 2004 |
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Orphen
A6 - 240 pages. Black suede, flying fox/bat perched
on sword, wings open, silver with blue highlights. White mulberry
endpapers.
Order: HangUp 08 Dec 2000 - 21 Dec 2000 |
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Orphen II
A6 - 240 pages. High quality black suede. Hand carved
pewter dragon perched on sword, wings open. Spinal insert. Black gold milano endpapers. This book is a good example of how new skills improve
the design - compare to the original Orphen book (above).
Order: Eckersley's Art Supplies (Adelaide, Australia) 02 Apr 2004
- 19 Apr 2004 |
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Parnoon
A5 - 312 pages. Hand dyed black kangaroo leather
with gold "Parnoon" and flourish carved into leather cover.
Parnoon is an Iranian/Persian girl's name that means 'fine painted
silk'. The book is sewn in French style with two reinforcing ribbons
and spinal insert. Red headbands. Red satin ribbon bookmark with
straight diagonal cut. Black and batik gold endpapers.
Cover: 158mm W x 220mm H (6.25 x 8.68in). Page: 148mm W x 210mm
H (5.88 x 8.25in).
Commission: (Adelaide, Australia) 09 Sep 2004 - 18 Nov 2004 |
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Pedigree
A4+ Landscape - 148 pages. Brown dry oiled kangaroo
leather bound in landscape to be used as a stud book to record the
pedigree of livestock.
This is a good example of a combined effort -
printed ruled pages, cover page, endpapers and bookmark were supplied
by Paperworld to meet the customer's requirements and following
my advice on size, quantity and materials. Burgundy and gold satin
bookmark with forked cut. Antique parchment endpapers.
Cover: 317mm W x 220mm H (12.50 x 8.70in). Page: 310mm W x 214mm
H (12.20 x 8.43in).
Commission: Paperworld (Adelaide, Australia) 10 Sep 2003 - 11 Dec 2003 |
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Pygmaelion
A6 - 240 pages. Brandy coloured oiled kangaroo skin.
'Pygmaelion' written vertically in gold. In Greek mythology, Pygmalion
(note spelling difference) was king of Cyprus. He fell in love with
a beautiful statue of a woman. When he prayed to Aphrodite for a
wife like it, the goddess brought the statue to life and Pygmalion
married her. In one version of the legend, the statue becomes Aphrodite;
another states that Pygmalion sculptured the statue himself and
that after coming to life it was called Galatea. Black gold leaf
endpapers. Gold metal filigree corners. Black satin ribbon tasselled
bookmark.
International Order: Chris Traks (New York) 02 Dec 2001 - 12 Dec 2001 |
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Q Notebook - The Book of Life
B6 - 100 pages. Six ring notebook with pages that
can be added/removed. Black dry kangaroo leather with wrap around
cover and magnetic closure. Q logo carved on bottom of front panel
is a black circle with a red acrylic stroke.
Two sterling silver plates riveted to the spine,
diamond engraved and finished with black and Mediterranean blue
enamel. The plates on the spine read: The Book of Life, Natural
Spirituality. Inside front panel has translucent paper printed with
"The Truth of all Truths". The back page is printed black with silver
and red text and attempts to explain the Book of Life and Natural
Spirituality.
Narrow binder mechanism allows pages to open and
lie flat. Black elephant hide endpapers and document pocket / memento
pouch with handmade buckram concertina hinges.
Cover: 138mm W x 186mm H x 32mm D (5.43 x 7.32 x 1.26in).
Page: 122mm W x 170mm H (4.80 x 6.69in). Weight: 0.513kg (1.13lb).
International Order: Dhryl Anton (Oregon) 08 Aug 2005 - 16 Mar 2006 |
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Red Dragon
A4 - 312 pages. High quality black suede. Raised
tribal dragon design painted blood red. Latin text beneath the dragon
reads "DEUS ABSCONDITUS" which means "Hidden God".
The book is sewn in French style with three reinforcing ribbons
and spinal insert. Red headbands. Black satin tasselled bookmark.
Burgundy milano endpapers.
International Order: Alvin Florentino (New Jersey) 23 Apr 2004 -
22 Sep 2004 |
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Sham El Nesseem
A5 - 310 pages. Three limited edition handmade copies
of Sham El Nesseem by Claude M. Mills - an autobiography
that follows a family's journey from the turmoil of revolutionist
Egypt to settlement in Australia, and one boy's transition into
adulthood. Written as a Christmas gift for two sons.
Reverse carved kangaroo leather with gold title
and author's name on cover and spine. Simple line border for corners
and spine. The back cover shows two Feluccas - narrow, swift,
sailing boats with triangular lateen sails used on the Nile River.
Text and full colour photographs printed on photo quality inkjet
paper using pigment inks. Overstitch style binding for single
printed sheets, flat spine. Special gold headbands.
Book 1 - London Brown (London Tan and Light Brown),
honey brown elephant hide endpapers.
Book 2 - Ocean Blue (Turquoise, Light Blue and Navy
Blue), blue elephant hide endpapers.
Book 3 - Burgundy (Red, Light Brown and Burgundy),
rose elephant hide endpapers.
Cover: 154mm W x 219mm H H x 42mm D (6.06 x 8.62 x 1.65in).
Page: 142mm W x 207mm H (5.59 x 8.15in).
Weight: approx. 0.750kg
(1.65lb).
Commission: Claude M. Mills (Adelaide, Australia) 22 Jul 2006
- 25 Dec 2006 |
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Silver Ankh A5
A5 - 366 pages. Black dry kangaroo leather. Main
feature is a large sterling silver Ankh, polished to a mirror
finish - the Ankh is the Egyptian hieroglyph for life. Four polished
silver corners on both front and back covers.
Sterling silver lockable wire clasp with +/-
Ankh design. Sterling silver padlock is engraved with a pentagram
to work as a protective ward for the book. The lock opens with
a hardened sterling silver ankh key hand carved from a single
piece of silver plate - the key was made to be worn as an earring.
The book is sewn in French style with two reinforcing
ribbons and spinal insert. Special purple headbands. Black satin
bookmark with straight diagonal cut. Black elephant hide endpapers.
Cover: 158mm W x 220mm H (6.25 x 8.68in).
Page: 148mm W x 210mm H (5.88 x 8.25in). Weight: 0.857kg (1.89lb).
International Order: Chrissy Smiley (Massachusetts) 09 Mar 2006
- 15 Dec 2006 |
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Skeletal Bat (front) (whole)
A6 - 240 pages. Black suede, skeletal bat - body
on spine, wings on front/back cover. White mango leaf endpapers.
Based on an idea from 1997.
Order: HangUp 12 Mar 2000 - 14 Apr 2000 |
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Sonkofa Butterfly
A5 - 624 pages (oversize). Hand dyed deep-blue kangaroo
leather with highly polished brass designs, filigree corners and
clasps. Main feature is a hand crafted brass Sonkofa symbol, a heart-shaped
design from west Africa that signifies learning from the past. Two
finely detailed brass butterflies and Sonkofa clasps are attached
to both front and back covers. Book closes with two hinged custom
made book clasps adapted from the Sonkofa design.
The book is sewn in French style with two reinforcing
ribbons, Oxford hollow back and spinal insert. Special gold/brass
headbands. Four ridges on spine. Sky blue satin bookmark with straight
diagonal cut. Blue linen endpapers.
Cover: 158mm W x 220mm H (6.25 x 8.68in).
Page: 148mm W x 210mm H (5.88 x 8.25in). Weight: 1.100kg (2.43lb).
Commission: Lena Elboudi (Sydney, Australia) 30 Apr 2005 - 10 Feb
2006 |
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Star Tarot A5
A5 - 312 pages. Hand dyed black kangaroo leather
with finely carved leather cover. Main feature is "The Star"
tarot card showing a peacock or bird of paradise sitting atop the
forest canopy looking out to mountains in the distance and a shining
star in a white sky.
Around the card is a celestial blue border with
the constellations of the zodiac starting beneath the sword and
reading counter-clockwise: Aquarius, Pisces, Aries, Taurus, Gemini,
Cancer, Leo, Virgo, Libra, Scorpio, Sagittarius, Capricorn.
The gold symbols in each of the four corners represent
the four Tarot suits and their related elements: Swords (North/Air),
Cups (West/Water), Wands (South/Fire) and Pentacles (East/Earth).
Above is the number 17 (XVII) which signifies the position of "The
Star" tarot card in the Major Arcana. The symbol at the bottom
is an alchemist's symbol for the Quinta Essentia (the fifth element
or spirit).
The back cover features a carved yellow sunflower
(in remembrance of a special sister) and the initials "TS"
for the intended owner of the book.
The book is sewn in French style with two reinforcing
ribbons and spinal insert. Special gold headbands. Royal blue satin
ribbon bookmark with straight diagonal cut. Black and gold milano
endpapers.
Cover: 158mm W x 220mm H (6.25 x 8.68in).
Page: 148mm W x 210mm H (5.88 x 8.25in). Weight: 0.696kg (1.53lb).
International Order: Eddie Coyne (New York) 22 Jul 2005 - 08 Dec
2005 |
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Storm Book - Cloth
A6 - 192 pages. Halfbound black cloth with Aztec
design corners and spine. This is a rare printed book containing
the first 12 chapters of my novel - Repercussions of the Storm.
It also features a bookmark ribbon as part of the construction of
the book. Parchment endpapers.
Commission: Myself (Adelaide, Australia) Oct 1997 - 27 Nov 1997 |
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Tarasque
A5+ - 476 pages. Brandy coloured oiled kangaroo
skin with emu leg spine. Bass relief dragon in metallic green, blue
and purple, leathery red/gold wings and belly. 'Dragon' written
vertically in gold. Tarasque was the name of a winged serpent who
terrorised the villagers of Nerlue, France. Burgundy gold leaf endpapers.
Cover: 197mm W x 257mm H (7.75 x 10.12in).
Page: 177mm W x 244mm H (6.97 x 9.61in). Weight: 1.575kg (3.47lb).
Commission: Myself (Adelaide, Australia) Oct 1997 - 27 Nov 1997 |
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The Snark
A5 - 312 pages. Brandy coloured oiled kangaroo skin
with emu leg spine. Bass relief dragon in metallic green and purple,
leathery copper wings. Gold patterned ring around dragon with gold
runes beneath that translate to read 'It was only a breeze that
went by' from The Hunting of the Snark by Lewis Carroll.
Banana leaf endpapers.
International Order: Barrie Goshko (California) 27 Apr 2002 - 24 Jun 2002 |
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T.I.Y.L.
A4+ - 30 pages. Fullbound scarlet red goat leather
with gold T.I.Y.L. including border, name and logo. Red satin ribbon
bookmark with clean diagonal cut. Three-stich headbands. Antique
parchment endpapers (110 gsm). The book pictured here was supplied
as a blank red cover - the gold lettering shown here is a mock-up
of how the final book would have looked (I never did get to see
the finished product).
Commission: Paperworld 10 May 2002 - 28 May 2002 |
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Value of Commitment / Value of Friendship
Two small matching books designed to fit in a custom
made memory box / time capsule as a surprise gift from a wife to
her husband to celebrate their first wedding anniversary. Hand carved
kangaroo leather, hand-dyed London Brown (mix of London Tan and
Light Brown) with raised gold text on cover and spine. Text and
images printed on parchment paper using pigment inks. The books
are sewn in French style with spinal inserts. Special gold headbands.
Honey brown elephant hide endpapers.
Value of Commitment A6- - 366 pages. A symbolic book with text on the
first page and 365 pages printed with "14th December"
and a water lily - an image from the wedding ceremony.
Value of Friendship A6- - 156 pages. Printed
text of the first page and single pages of friends and family interspersed
with photos of the married couple and their life together.
Cover: 100mm W x 150mm H x 19mm D (3.94 x 5.91).
Page: 90mm W x 138mm H (5.15 x 6.22in).
Commission: Gaye McKeon (Brisbane, Australia) 02 Sep 2006 - 08 Dec
2006 |
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Wedding Album & Guestbook (Velvet)
Medieval style wedding photo album and guestbook.
Designed as a matching set, bound in luxurious burgundy velvet inside
and out. Burgundy braid trim inside cover. Hand cast and sculpted
triangular pewter corners and diamond centre designs set with red
glass gems that use a secret technique to reflect available light.
The wedding album has twenty top-loading acid-free
pages with heavy paper inserts, post bound using chrome Chicago
screws. Unique floating spine adapts to additional pages.
The guestbook has smaller pewter designs and features
96 parchment pages including a printed cover page with the names
of the bride and groom, date of wedding and Celtic border design.
Hand plaited burgundy satin ribbon bookmark with three initial letters
cut and carved from a single piece of burnished pewter.
Wedding Album: 12 x 12in - 20 top loading pages.
Guestbook: A4- Landscape - 96 pages.
International Order: Christina Rivera Medina (Colorado) 17 Dec 2004
- 15 Jun 2005 |
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Wedding Guestbook (Leather)
A4- Landscape - 96 pages. Brown oiled kangaroo leather
bound in landscape with gold 'Wedding Guestbook' hand carved on
front cover, used as a guestbook for my own Oak Forest wedding
in November 2003.
Printed pages with brown text and ruled lines.
Ivory pure silk bookmark with clean diagonal cut. Brown textured
endpapers.
Cover: 322mm W x 198mm H (12.68 x 7.80in). Page: 318mm W x 181mm
H (12.52 x 7.13in).
Commission: Myself (Adelaide, Australia) 08 Nov 2003 - 13 Nov 2003 |
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WHSC Book of Honours
A3 size - 240pp heavy parchment (176gsm). Black
oiled kangaroo leather with silver text and designs. Front
cover features three joined Borromean Rings with the school motto
- Imagine, Believe, Achieve - along the outer bands of the rings.
The inside of the design is reverse carved into the cover. The
WHSC W-tick logo is centred below the Borromean rings.
The main text on the front cover reads "Whites
Hill State College" and is located at the top of the cover design.
A simple knotwork border around the whole front cover suggests
the theme of endless learning.
The back cover features a Tree of Knowledge
representing the idea that "from little things, big things grow".
The SC (School Council) monogram forms part of the tree design.
First page printed with "Whites Hill State
College - Book of Honours - LOGO - Imagine, Believe, Achieve" with
blue Pegasus printed as the background. Reverse page printed
with dedication of the book from the Council Executive.
Remainder of pages will be hand written.
The book is sewn in French style with four reinforcing ribbons
and cotton inserts. Five ridges on spine outlined in silver.
First-time burgundy & peacock blue two-colour headbands.
Black endpapers.
Cover: 306mm W x 432mm H (12.05 x 17.00).
Page: 297mm W x 420mm H (11.69 x 16.54in). Weight: 3.39kg (7.47lb).
Commission: Josh Mountford (Brisbane, Australia) 12 Sep 2007
- 04 Feb 2008 |
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Winged Girl Tattoo
A6 - 240 pages. Red suede, black and gold tattoo
design of winged girl sitting with top hat. Black endpapers.
Order: HangUp 16 Jan 1998 - 16 Jan 1998 |
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A Zen Firecracker 1 & 2
A6+ - 78 pages. ISBN 0-9751618-4-9
Two limited edition handmade copies of A Zen Firecracker
by Graham Nunn. Hand carved kangaroo leather, hand-dyed London Brown
(mix of London Tan and Brown) with gold text. A selection of haiku
poetry and illustrations printed on heavy rice paper using pigment
inks. Japanese style binding, traditional stitch design (simplified
Asa-no-ha toji). Main feature is a monk, kneeling to meditate -
the monk design features on the original paperback cover and also
as one of the illustrations inside the book. Back cover has book
over world globe which is the logo for Impressed Publishing. Black
gold milano endpapers.
Cover: 140mm W x 169mm H x 13mm D (5.51 x 6.65 x 0.51in).
Page: 131mm W x 158mm H (5.15 x 6.22in).
Publisher: David Weekes, Impressed Publishing (Brisbane, Australia)
Book#1 03 Nov 2003 - 04 Apr 2004, Book#2 19 Apr 2004 - 11 May 2004 |
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