Ali Manning on The Left Brain Artist Podcast

Ali was recently interviewed by Suzanne Redmond for The Left Brain Artist podcast. You can listen to the episode here or on most podcast platforms.

The Left Brain Artist with Ali Manning Rundown

From the very beginning, Vintage Page Designs (and eventually the Handmade Book Club) has been about community. Ali started her blog to share her knowledge with other bookmakers just like her. From there, it evolved into a large group of people passionate about book arts. Ali began designing books and teaching others how to make them.

Ali offers a monthly subscription through the Handmade Book Club as well as free instruction on her blog and YouTube channel. She opens up membership to the club a few times a year, which coincides with a five-day challenge. This challenge allows participants to get a sense of Ali’s teaching style and decide whether they want to sign up for the club.

Club members receive a new book project every month as well as a variety of community events, including community meetings and classes from guest artists. Regardless of the event, though, Ali’s priority is to make the club about the members. She loves to see what the community comes up with each month.

One way that Ali encourages the sense of community is through a private Facebook group for members of the Handmade Book Club. She also has a free group for anyone who enjoys book arts. Additionally, there’s a new theme for each month that anyone can participate in.

At the end of the day, Ali strives to provide lots of content through a variety of platforms to give both members and non-members plenty of value. And remember—you don’t need many materials or tools to get started with bookmaking. Most crafters already have the basics!

Want to get updates on all things bookmaking? Sign up for the Vintage Page Designs newsletter below, and don’t forget to listen to The Left Brain Artist podcast!