Wood Bookmaking and Bookbinding with Hana
Set in the countryside 30 minutes from Lisbon, and surrounded by fragrant vineyards and Old World splendor, learn how to create handmade books using reclaimed furniture and Coptic bookbinding techniques. Hana considers her studio as a place to be healed and her books carry this ethos and energy too.
- Snacks, Coffee, & Tea
- Local Transportation
Pricing
- One Guest
- USD $1185
- Additional guest(s) (max 4)
- USD $540
Accommodation
- One Guest
- USD $300
- Additional guest(s)
- USD $225
Meet the Artist
Hana is a bookbinder and woodworker whose handmade books have traveled around the world. Her journey began when she saw fragments of old, ornate Portuguese furniture discarded on the streets. Wanting to find a second use for such beauty, she started turning them into book covers for journals, guest books, diaries, recipe books and photo albums. She calls them “books with a wooden memory.” With emphasis on reclaimed materials, she personalizes each cover with delicate hand engraving and furniture accessories like keyholes, pulls etc. Her principal Coptic stitch bookbinding techniques are unique to her books. When you visit, you'll meet Rúben, her husband and an antique wood restorer who shares her passion to give old wood a new life. She considers her studio as a place to be healed and her books carry this ethos and energy too.
VAWAA Includes:
- Discovering characteristics of different types of wood and paper.
- Introduction to basic woodworking tools and equipment, and experience dismantling furniture.
- Woodworking techniques such as wood cleaning, repairing, cutting, and sanding.
- Sketching and wood engraving with small chisels, including other creative options for cover construction using reclaimed materials.
- Homemade natural wood treatment preparation and wood finishing techniques.
- Paper cutting and folding for journals and photo albums.
- Bookbinding, including Coptic stitch technique and variations.
- Materials and access to tools.
- Your own upcycled wood book.
Stay at Hana's
Stay in Hana’s countryside cottage, a simple but charming guest house on the same property as her family home and woodworking studio. Hana’s wood and paper studios are part of her large country house, where she lives with her partner — a furniture restorer with whom she shares the wood studio — and their two grown children. With two twin-sized beds and a private bathroom, the cottage offers comfort without luxury and a sense of old-world character. Friendly cats and dogs wander the grounds, adding to the rural atmosphere.
A few local cafés and restaurants are within walking distance, and Lisbon is just 35 minutes by car for more dining and cultural options. A car isn’t necessary, but recommended if you’d like to explore more of the region’s flavors and landscapes.
The cottage is not adapted for mobility challenges, but is comfortable for most guests seeking a simple, authentic countryside stay. Surrounded by beautiful hiking trails, it’s an ideal base for slowing down and enjoying the Portuguese countryside.
A few local cafés and restaurants are within walking distance, and Lisbon is just 35 minutes by car for more dining and cultural options. A car isn’t necessary, but recommended if you’d like to explore more of the region’s flavors and landscapes.
The cottage is not adapted for mobility challenges, but is comfortable for most guests seeking a simple, authentic countryside stay. Surrounded by beautiful hiking trails, it’s an ideal base for slowing down and enjoying the Portuguese countryside.
Explore Pero Negro
Half an hour from the capital city of Lisbon, wild Atlantic beaches, and the famous Sintra or Obidos, the quaint village of Pero Negro is surrounded by picturesque vineyards that stretch on for miles along the hilly landscape. In a nearby town you can see remnants of the Lines of Torres Vedras, a series of fortresses. You can also see old castles, churches, and plenty of Baroque carvings scattered throughout. A little further away you’ll hear fado music in Lisbon’s pubs, cafes, and restaurants--it’s a traditional style of Portuguese singing known for its expressive and melancholy lyrics. Rooted in themes of marginalization and social oppression, it historically frequented the brothels and pubs of sailors along the port.
Additional Details
The best time to visit Portugal is in spring (March–May), when the country is in bloom. Fall (September–October) is also a great time, with warm weather and fewer crowds. Winters in Portugal are very cold and humid, but the bookbinding studio has a cozy wood-burning stove, so you’ll have a warm place to work.
This VAWAA can be extended for up to 10 days—please ask when you submit your booking request. Extra time can be dedicated to hand-carving techniques that require additional practice.
This VAWAA can be extended for up to 10 days—please ask when you submit your booking request. Extra time can be dedicated to hand-carving techniques that require additional practice.
Guest Reviews
Megan W.,
Just what I wanted as an experience! Hana is the most lovely of hosts - warm, generous, endlessly patient, open and flexible and so creative. The workshop was phenomenal - so organised and timeless, with a massive picture window overlooking the countryside opposite, and that transporting smell of wood and beeswax. Loved it and would love to return!
Fatima A., United States
A true artist's retreat! My stay with Hana was a balm for my creatively blocked soul. Complete with an artists studio, woodworking workshop, and breathtaking view - Hana provides a healing environment that allows one to commune with their muses. She has the remarkable mix of being both an incredibly talented artist and patient teacher. I left with a lighter heart, a hand crafted family heirloom, Read more
Denise L., United States
From the moment we met Hana, we found her to be friendly, welcoming, and a fantastic host. We also enjoyed her obvious passion for artistic pursuits including the construction of wooden books. She has a tremendous supply of interesting wood which is repurposed to create these beautiful and useful projects. She also utilizes recycled paper which is bound between the wood covers utilizing some very Read more
