April Smith
Bookbinding
April discovered bookbinding and book conservation after earning a double major in chemistry and music, then working as a cowgirl in Kansas and an archaeological assistant in North Macedonia, Israel and France. During these explorations beyond college, she found her love of history and working with her hands. This led her to graduate study in book and manuscript conservation, and she found this discipline fueled her curiosity and blended her interests in history, science, technology and art.
She founded Booksmith Conservation in 2002 and focuses mainly on the conservation of books and manuscripts for institutions and private clients. However, she finds ample time to create her own bindings and continue to explore new binding styles to create her own beautiful, and functional, bindings, boxes and paper crafts.
Art Tour Stop 6: Booksmith Conservation
2705 Rockingham Drive (Please note the entrance to April’s studio is up one flight of stairs on the Barton Skyway side of her house.)
Boxes, journals and miniature books.
Islamic style model.
Conservation work on 18th c. binding; sewing new endband.
Close-up of hand-sewn silk endband on fine leather binding.
Medieval style "slinky" binding.