I began binding books in 1994, taking a series of workshops and classes from Joan Soppe, of Nom de Plume Studio. My journals, albums, guest books and drop spine boxes are created from archival materials, incorporating printmaking & bookbinding papers, as well as any number of decorative papers—including recycling drawings and print proofs by my mother, Priscilla Steele.

My exposed spine bindings frequently make use of a traditional Coptic stitch technique, a self-reinforcing binding dependent on a structure of knots, visible on the spine of each book. All of my work is designed to be functional and lasting.

I was born in Omaha, Nebraska and grew up in Cedar Rapids, Iowa. After receiving a B.A. in History and English from Grinnell College, I went on to work in several capacities in visual and performing arts (by day) in Iowa, Michigan and now New York.