Today we’d like to introduce you to Amanda Ramirez.
Amanda, please share your story with us. How did you get to where you are today?
I have always loved making things. At a very young age, it was clear that painting, drawing, and building anything is what made me come alive. My mother was a textural folk artist and my father an engineer so between the two of them, I had lots of access to supplies and tools. I went to college and got a degree in graphic design. I could paint, draw, sculpt, and do computer graphics quite well but I wasn’t in love with any of those disciplines. 20 years ago, my mom thought it would be fun to take a class together at Vroman’s bookstore in Pasadena. The class was just a simple Saturday workshop but I enjoyed it so much I signed up for several more. I knew then I was addicted and I started feeding my addiction by searching libraries in the San Gabriel Valley for books on the art and craft of bookmaking.
Then I began experimenting with different bookbinding styles. I fell in love with the feel of the paper, the look of the book cloth, and the weight of the book board. Even the smell of the glue was enticing. I truly love the idea of making something functional and yet creative. After I garnered some basic knowledge of bookbinding, I started experimenting with the book form in a more sculptural way. Even then, my sculptural books were functional to some extent but all have the element physical interaction that’s important to me. I have a real love for vintage binding and printmaking equipment also. My husband has an obsession for vintage letterpress equipment which works out perfectly with bookbinding. When it became clear that I couldn’t stop making books, I created an Etsy shop, SweetinkBooks, and began to post my books for sale. I have also exhibited my book-art in studio shows in South Pasadena.
Overall, has it been relatively smooth? If not, what were some of the struggles along the way?
Becoming a bookbinder has not been a smooth road. I make many mistakes and am constantly learning from them. I don’t mind that so much because I feel it’s just part of the growing and creative process. My major problem is getting my work out there to be seen. I struggle with technology and the creation of my Etsy shop was not easy for me. Technology and social media don’t come naturally to me either. I just got on Instagram this year and I have never had a Facebook account. In this way, I am horrible at self-promotion.
Sweetink Books – what should we know? What do you do best? What sets you apart from the competition?
I make books. Blank journals, art journals, albums, letterpress calendars and book art. I enjoy experimenting with different colors, textures, sizes and forms. I make every part of them by hand. I stitch every book block by hand and enjoy incorporating a variety of binding methods, including Coptic, pamphlet, stab stitch and standard hardbound journals. With every stitch and fold you see a little bit of me. I truly love what I do and I feel that comes through in my work. I feel that every book binder’s work is slightly different. How they fold the corner of the book cloth, to how they stitch in the pages, to the colors they choose, it’s all in the details. Added up, this is what sets my books apart from other binders and other binders unique to me. In the end I think different books just speak to different people. If you are drawn to my work and it speaks to you, then it’s the right one for you.
My other interest is in letterpress printing and what started out as gifts for family has become another creative outlet in the form of calendars. I have been printing calendars for about eight years now and each year, I have added new hand-carved linoleum blocks to my collection. I have mostly carved birds and sea life but begun branching out into more typographic forms. The calendar itself is handset and so like my books, every aspect of them is done by hand. Last year I posted my calendars for the first time on Etsy and they sold out. I hope to post new calendars again this year.
What is “success” or “successful” for you?
I define success as what makes me happy or brings me joy. I love what I do and love sharing it with others. I sell my work so I can afford to keep making more.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.etsy.com/shop/SweetinkBooks
- Email: [email protected]
- Instagram: instagram.com/sweetinkbooks
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