Monday, November 8, 2010

Shanna Leino



Shanna Leino is a New Hampshire artist who makes handmade books as well as tools. Leino also explores historical methods for making books. Shanna was an exhibitor in this year’s Pyramid Atlantic Book Arts Fair at the Civic Center in Silver Spring, Maryland. Her booth seemed intentionally minimal, strewn with little pieces of carefully honed bone and steel. To the left, highly polished bone-folders made of Elkbone. In the middle and to the right, equally shimmering awls, punches and chisels. The latter are made of high carbon heat-treated tool-grade steel. There have been many occasions where a sturdy awl was an essential tool for my work. I was elated to find a “maker” that took the time to make tools both strong and beautiful. The steel tools were made in two “flavors”; One ornate, the other hammered. I chose the only “hammered” awl/burnisher on display at the time (above). I am very grateful to add this to my collection. To view more of her work, visit shannaleino.com

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