"Everyone has a story. How will you tell yours?" ~Hannelore Sotzek

The first thing I want to tell you about Hannelore, is that she gives the best hugs!  When you become Hannelore's friend she will undoubtedly greet you with a long, comforting, embrace.  You will feel safe and loved.  She gives the kind of hugs that make the world seem like a peaceful place; free from all evil and inhumanity.  If only Hannelore could hug the whole world right now, then just maybe, everything and everyone would be at peace.
Hannelore and I grew our friendship through our encounters as fellow artisans at the HandMade Market.   We were drawn to each other's work.  Hannelore would often find herself in my booth, cupping her favourite bowl, and I would find myself at her booth, lost in wanting and lusting over all her handbound and re-bound books.  
My personal favourite of Hannelore's work is her re-bound books.  They are wonderful repurposed treasures of our past.  Hannelore will often incorporate pages from the original  book between the pages of her newly hand-stitched creation.  Like her hugs, so much love goes into each hand made book.  She hand-rips each individual page, creating an untrimmed edge, revealing the fibres of her eco-friendly paper.  She uses a variety of paper styles, depending on the book you choose, but all lend beautifully to writing and drawing with pen or pencil.  
Currently I have 4 books made by Hannelore that I use almost daily.  I have 1 for journaling; 1 for my glaze recipes and combinations; 1 for customer information, and 1 for my wood firing schedules and notes.  I couldn't bare the thought of having to use any other book, other than one made by Hannelore.  

Hannelore will be here with the rest of shed's friends on December 3rd & 4th for the Christmas Open House.  I wish you luck in choosing your favourite book by Hannelore.  You may end up like me, and take more than one book home in order to satisfy your desires. 

Hannelore's Bio:

Hannelore Sotzek is a Niagara Region talent whose passion has always been for all things books. Her background in book publishing, and then being crafty by nature, led her from creating text to making the physical book itself.  Hannelore now creates beautiful and durable handbound books so that others might be inspired to capture their own story. She uses a dazzling array of cover options—from exquisite Japanese silk-screened paper, hand-marbled paper, vintage maps and sheet music to adorn her books. Most striking is Hannelore's elaborate hand-stitching, which binds the books together and also allows them to lay flat when open. The hand-ripped interior paper just adds to the luxury and practicality of these gorgeous books.

 Hannelore's Story Works
Web: hanneloreandmore.blogspot.com
Facebook: www.facebook.com/HanneloresStoryWorks
ETSY: www.etsy.com/ca/shop/HanneloresStoryWorks