Sarah Jarrett-Kerr's love and respect for books is immediately apparent the moment you see and hold one of her works. The weight of the paper, texture of the leather and the combinations of colours all work together resulting in a beautiful object to cherish. Sarah trained at the School of Camberwell Arts and Crafts and set up a bindery for the British School in Rome. 

When did you first decide or realise that you wanted to design and make?
 
During my secondary education I had an incredibly good art teacher. We learnt glove making, calligraphy and bookbinding to name but a few of our art classes. When I was in Florence, as a late teenager, doing a History of Art course I did bookbinding evening classes opposite the Pitti Palace.  From then on I was hooked onto bookbinding.
 
From who or what do you draw your inspirations?
 
I am fascinated by colour, particularly the combinations of colour in nature, colour psychology and colour harmony. 
 
What experience has significantly influenced your professional practice?
 
Over the last thirty years I have been lucky enough to have been able to gain first hand experience from some of the greatest 20th Century bookbinders in the U.K. and Europe. 
 
Describe a typical day for you?
 
There are many different types of bindings and a host of different processes to be applied.  Every book has to be assessed differently.  During the working day I will often have three or four different books in progress, all at separate stages of the binding process.
 
As an exhibitor at some of the UK’s main contemporary craft events what advice would you give to Makers interested in applying to these craft fairs?
 
Firstly, decide why you want to go to one of these craft events.  Is it primarily a selling event or is it to raise your profile and gain commissions?  If it is the former then you need to ensure sufficient stock.  In all cases you should take care to ensure that the sort of visitor attending the craft events matches your target market.  Finally be as careful as you can to try to agree with the organizer where physically your stand will be.
 
Which Makers work do you have on your personal wish list?
 
Micki Schloessingk - maker of wood-fired salt-glaze pottery, David Sellars - Bookbinder, and Bobbie Cox - Tapestry maker.
 
 
Many thanks to Sarah for answering our questions. We have a lovely collection of Sarah's work available to buy here on madebyhandonline. Her designs make beautiful diaries, sketch books, or journals, and she also binds first editions. If you're interested in commissioning Sarah please do get in touch.
 

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