Today we say hello to Amy Strike who crafts the most beautiful creations from books. Her work is truly unique and we think rather well suited for our fair…
‘I enjoy the challenges of trying to do something new. Book art is a relatively new type of craft, and that means you can carve out some new territory while making things…’- Amy Strike
Tell us a bit about you and what you do/ make….
I make things out of books. Books are great to build art work from because they are made out of all these different textures and surfaces: leather, and different kinds and colours of paper, and thread, and glue, and fonts. Sometimes I build from the theme of the book. For example, I am working on a commission for someone right now about Moby Dick from a beautiful hardback copy of Moby Dick itself, which means Ahab and the whale are built from the actual writing, and the best moments of the story. But I also love to make miniature books, and book jewellery. I think there are a lot of people out there who love books as much as I do.
How would you describe your style?
I often fold paper and craft fold out books, but most of all I love to create models and to build things. So I make a lot of ships out of books. I’ve made lighthouses and cities and kitchens and laboratories. It’s exciting to take a book and work out how you can build these things, how the underlying structure will work.
How long have you been making your craft items?
I’ve been making book art for two years, ever since I finished studying English at Sussex University.
Do you have a best seller? If so what is it?
People love book ships. It’s nice to imagine a book sailing away while you are trying to read it I think.
What do you enjoy most about your craft?
I enjoy the challenges of trying to do something new. Book art is a relatively new type of craft, and that means you can carve out some new territory while making things. It’s a rigorous practice but it’s also a grand experiment.
Do you take part in other craft events (fairs, open houses, markets etc…)?
I work and exhibit my work at JAG gallery and open studios through the year, taking part in their open house in the Summer. I was lucky enough to be part of Brighton Dome’s House Open exhibition this year during Brighton Festival and won the Visitors Choice Award for my book art. I also take part in Art Junky at the Phoenix Gallery along with a range of other craft markets and exhibitions through the year.
What items and festive gifts will you be selling at The Fairy Tale Fair?
I will be selling a range of book art items, hopefully there will be something for everyone. I will be selling book jewellery (because one should always have something sensational to read on the train), a range of miniature pocket fairytale books, and lots of affordable books. There should be lots of familiar fairytales and stories, lots of cool book art things, and lots of great Christmas presents to snap up. There will be 10% off flyers on my website to print off nearer the time and some 20% off flyers to be won, so watch this space: www.amystrike.com and Facebook.
What are your plans/ ambitions for the future? Or have you already achieved them?
My plans for the future are to keep making book art, to an increasingly bizarre and exciting scale, and to keep hanging out in independent book shops (because independent book shops are cool), hatching grand schemes.
Find out more about Amy on her website and Facebook:
Web: www.amystrike.com | Facebook Page
