I really wanted to build a web site without a "links" page, but I just couldn't do it.

Monique Lallier is my favorite bookbinder. In a craft where much of the work is either derivative or pointlessly novel, her books are disciplined, gorgeous, and original. She regularly teaches binding workshops, and it is a source of much irritation to me that I haven't taken one of them. What the hell am I waiting for?

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Ebru is a traditional Turkish form of paper marbling, and Alparslan Babaoglu is a master of it. Some years ago I bought a dozen sheets of floral ebru from him, and they are as beautiful as they look on his web site. In addition to the floral patterns, he creates miniatures (using marbling and stencils) which are just freaking amazing.

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Mali is one of the poorest countries on earth, but it has a long tradition of excellence in the arts. The Timbuktu Book Arts Project is attempting to preserve local skills, train new artists in the fields of calligraphy, illumination, and gilding, and help them earn livelihoods by selling their products through libraries in Mali.