My journey with bookbinding artist Ali Manning began in August 2022, when I became part of the team for Vintage Page Designs and the Handmade Book Club. As cheesy as it may sound, it’s true – my very first impression of Ali felt like a warm, friendly hug. Even though it was a virtual meeting, her fun, kind, and welcoming personality shone through my laptop screen. And I was immediately smitten with her charming accent!
It didn’t take long for me to learn that Ali Manning’s teaching style is not only thorough and clever, but generous and patient too, always with a laid-back vibe and often with some quirk and humor in the mix. This recipe was the catalyst for what has grown to become a truly unique and special community of artists, crafters, and bookbinders from all across the world. Many will tell you it’s unique because of Ali, and that’s true. But it’s special because of the people she attracts – people who share a passion for creativity, community, authenticity, and, above all, kindness.
Ali’s bookbinding tutorials and tip videos have amassed well over a million views on YouTube. She’s taught thousands upon thousands of people how to make handmade books through her 5-day challenges, and her Handmade Book Club continues to grow and flourish. She does it all with a warmth that captivates her audience, a genuine desire to share the joy of creativity, and a humbleness to embrace and give grace to mistakes. Ali keeps it real, and that’s what makes her so relatable.
I had the opportunity to sit down with Ali for an interview. We pulled back the curtain to reveal how she got started in bookbinding, how the Handmade Book Club came about, her favorite binding, and a bunch of other fun facts. Grab a mug of coffee or tea, sit back, and learn more about our favorite bookbinding artist, Ali Manning!
Interview with Ali Manning
WHAT IS THE HANDMADE BOOK CLUB?
The Handmade Book Club grew out of my love for teaching and community. Having spent more than 10 years teaching in-person classes, I decided to reach a wider audience in 2019 and founded the online Handmade Book Club.
The Handmade Book Club is a community of bookmakers from around the world. Each month, I teach a new book binding project to the club members. In addition to making books, we love learning about ways to fill our handmade journals. That’s why we have guest artists and speakers join us every month! Club members also have access to a robust selection of past projects within the archives.
Whether you’re an experienced bookmaker or a complete novice, the Handmade Book Club is a community for you. You can try out a free book project here.
We’d love to have you join us! Sign up for the waitlist!
This was just delightful! I’ve always wanted to get to know Ali better. I’m a new member but have been watching on YouTube and Insta for years. Hope to meet up in person one of these days. Thanks Amber for doing this interview! Thanks Ali for being brave and doing it all! You inspire me so much.