From the archive: Martha Kearsley, Strong Arm Bindery

Interview with Katie Bonadies, July 2021

Pictured: Martha Kearsley of Strong Arm Bindery. Images courtesy of the artist.

Martha joined RWS in September 2020. Prior to Running with Scissors, Martha built and maintained her studio practice at the Portland Company Complex in the East End where she practiced for over 13 years. For the past 10 years she's been a part-time instructor in the Bookbinding Program at North Bennet Street School in Boston. 

Martha has been a bookbinder and letterpress printer for over 25 years and has a background in conservation of books and paper and is a repairer of all. She was initially attracted to the craft because she had fallen in love with the form of the book and realized that somebody had to make and care for them. She sticks with it because there is always something new to learn, whether it’s another technique or area of printing or color work or paper making; the possibilities are endless. 

Strong Arm Bindery is Martha's bookbinding and letterpress studio specializing in the design and production of well-made books and printed matter. Strong Arm Bindery is dedicated to carrying out experiments in stationery on their own equipment. Everything in her studio is made by hand, and this is the part she loves most: making it all herself, the time and attention that goes into setting things up and executing each project. 

Pictured: notebooks made by Strong Arm Bindery.

Martha’s work is a reflection of the things she sees every day in Maine. Flagship pieces of Strong Arm Bindery include the Origami for Mainers kit and the Cat Boat Card. Recently, she has gotten into designing calendars and planners, which requires the combined use of digital technology and her proof press, a Vandercook letterpress originally designed for proofing newspapers and other printed materials. Beloved as her letterpress is, Martha’s favorite instrument is her awl with ball burnisher on the other end that was made by her friend, Shanna Leino. 

Strong Arm Bindery will hold open studios two Saturdays a month starting in July. Email Martha directly at strongarmbindery@gmail.com or through her website to learn more. She can also be reached via direct message on Instagram @strongarmbindery.