Paper Chain

Paper Chain (formerly Original Brooks) is a book bindery based in Lexington, North Carolina and founded in 2013 by me, Sara Charles. I make hand crafted books using traditional bookbinding practices combined with non-traditional materials. All of my notebooks, journals, and notepads are one-of-a-kind or made in small batches. 

I received my BFA in photography from the University of Oklahoma and an MFA in studio art from Indiana University. While attending school, I took several book binding classes. I did a 6 month book binding apprenticeship under Azalea Bindery in Asheville. Over the years I have taken several workshops and classes to expand my book binding skills. 

My bookbinding practice aligns with my personal values: minimizing waste, reusing and reclaiming materials, and supporting the regional economy in doing so. Most of the materials I use- paper, envelopes, vintage fabric- are sourced from estate sales, thrift stores, and creative reuse centers. I take what would normally be considered waste and turn it into a new book. 

I am versed in both repair work and traditional bindings, as well as small machine bindings, but I focus on small-batch, handcrafted books created for everyday use. I make bookcloth and print all my paper and text blocks in-house, which gives me complete control of the design process. Besides handcrafted books, I offer custom bookbinding services to individuals and businesses, including custom pencils.