The Story Of You & Me:

The Story of You & Me was the first version of my online book-making project, and invited people to learn how to make a book and fill with whatever was important to them, which they kept or gifted to someone else in their lives.

It was a chance for people to pause the pace of modern life, slow down and make something with their hands, to treasure for a long time. Alongside a kit people received in the post, I produced a video series for people to follow along, to learn the book-making at their own pace.

The next version of the project was a more open-ended book-making kit and online workshop. It was available until the end of December 2020 to coincide with lockdown.

REASONS PEOPLE TOOK PART

To carve out some time for themselves, away from their normal routine.

They enjoy making things but don’t really get the chance, or an excuse to.

They love learning new craft skills or using their hands.

They wanted to record someone’s story before it’s too late.

They wanted to make a beautiful book as a gift for someone you love.

They’ve always wanted to make a book but found courses too expensive.

They wanted a fun, creative activity to use as a make-along with family or friends.

BACKGROUND

In 2018 I undertook 3 months of Research & Development on the project, supported by Arts Council England. I recruited two groups in the North East – one of over 60’s (see pictures above) and another were regular foodbank users of all ages.

Stories recorded ranged from tales of childhood japes to recounting a series of trapdoors in someone’s life that caused them to keep falling down. 

“The workshop was one of my highlights of 2018. I had wanted to make a tribute to my mum, who died this year, and making a book about part of her life that was important to her was a perfect way of doing this. I’m not sure how I would have approached it without the workshop, and perhaps I still wouldn’t have got round to it. Working on the whole process, from writing to binding, felt very empowering and slightly cathartic. It certainly made me feel close to my mum and it would have made her very happy and proud.”  (Vanessa, workshop participant, Hexham)