February 10, 2025

Important announcement!

 

I've seen several others announcing changes to their small businesses for the upcoming year, and unfortunately, mine is no different. The past couple of years has seen an increase in travel costs as well as supply costs for everyone. I have also strayed from what I really wanted to do and that is make compendiums full of arcane art and textiles for my other art loving, texture loving, journaling peeps!

All of this to say -- y'all, I'm tired. I'm retreating back to my online shop (except for one or possibly two shows that I'm committed to). I am a self-taught multidisciplinary artist. Journals have let me explore that in a big way, but I've been pulled recently to create a new watercolor body of work that I am currently trying to put out into the world. They will make their appearance in my journals also. I'm currently applying to shows with them as they are easier to transport for me than moving a library every week. I love seeing your faces and I get cabin fever, but the moving library has to take a break! 

So, this week (and probably next), I'm trying to upload photos and listings of everything I have to the shop. Hardcover compendiums are coming back, but they take time. I hope you will understand why I can't take any custom orders. I have so many things in stock and in the process of being made, that it seems very wasteful to cut into more leather at the moment. 

Find my watercolors on instagram @shadowandmoss

Thanks for reading!

Michelle 

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Welcome to The Purple Onion Books. I am a small, artisan bookbinder based in southeastern Alabama. I offer several types of hand bound books for all your needs whether it is a watercolor journal, a sketchbook, wedding book, baby book, travel journal or sketchbook. The uses are endless!

My signature looks are mixed paper, embellishments with ribbons and textiles within my journals. I also include antique graphics and often my own photography. 

I strive to use high quality, acid free, environmentally friendly, tree free or sustainably farmed/recycled papers for my books.

I have a BSBA in Risk Management and Insurance from Troy University, where I was also a member of the Sound of the South marching band from 1996-1998. I worked in the insurance industry for around 15 years before going full time with my journals.  

The Purple Onion Books was founded originally as a way to de-stress after a long day at work. I love paper, fabric and hand stitching. In 2008, I found a way to bring them all together in the form of bookbinding. I began with the Coptic stitch and have branched out from there.

I now travel the Southeast and Midwest art show circuit and sell my journals online to all corners of the planet. 

If you are into journaling of any type, sketchbooks, nature, vintage items or old houses, then I may have a few items of interest to you!

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Thanks for checking me out!

Michelle