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Isabelle McGowan
Florence-trained Bookbinder now based in Sydney with over 10 years teaching experience
location_on St Peters, Sydney
local_activity classes and experiences: Book Binding • Leather Work • Marbling • Paper Craft and Ink • Print Making • Textiles • Fluid Art
4.9 (45)Make Books with us!
With over 15 years of experience teaching bookbinding and associated arts, Isabelle offers a comprehensive range of courses and workshops aimed at both beginner and advanced students.
Long and short courses in bookbinding and related book arts are offered from the bindery in an inner-Western Sydney art enclave. We strive to give you the best possible experience, working through every stage of transforming paper, leather and other raw materials into a finished book. All book-binding courses are complete in themselves - and guests complete the course with attractive volumes of their own creation, that make ideal gifts and mementos.
Here at the bindery, we are committed to helping you achieve your bookbinding goals, whether as a hobbyist or professional.
We ensure that our classes are accessible online and in-bindery. Which is why there are courses specially written and designed for each. Whether you want to expand on your crafting skills or start your book collecting journey, we have something for you.
The Owl & Lion is based in Sydney, Australia.
WE ARE LOCATED AT:
Suite 6.05
Precinct 75
75 Mary Street, St Peters
Classes and experiences
Gallery
Reviews
(45)
Natalie Smith • May 2023
91 ClassBento workshops attended • 38 reviews
This was fantastic
She was a great teacher there were five of us on the zoom. That was fun too. She waited for everyone so we could all keep up.I got sent everything it was all packed awesomely. Cutting sticking and sewing. They came out so well. I think I want to keep this up.
Petra Arifeae • May 2023
17 ClassBento workshops attended • 16 reviews
Love the concepts and the instructions were precise. The scrap book idea was fantastic. Great teacher
Roxanne Phan • Mar 2023
11 ClassBento workshops attended • 11 reviews
Lovely small class. Isabelle was very helpful and provided many great tips for bookbinding :D
Jace Gledhill • Mar 2023
4 ClassBento workshops attended • 3 reviews
The class was great fun! Isabelle was very patient, knowledgeable and great at giving clear directions.
Melissa Walker • Mar 2023
60 ClassBento workshops attended • 36 reviews
Wow. This is one of my favourite classes ever. Three fabulously different books that I made myself. Isabelle is a great teacher, the class went at a good pace but there was flexibility for people to catch up. The materials provided were great. I will definitely be doing more of these classes.
Jodie Amico • Oct 2022
32 ClassBento workshops attended • 29 reviews
This was such a lovely process. I’ve continued to practice the art of block printing as I find it a really good mindfulness exercise. The art supplies I received were such good quality! And the teacher was knowledgeable, focused and really fun.
Emily H • Sep 2022
36 ClassBento workshops attended • 19 reviews
A lovely class that although frustrated me in the moment has given me a new skill to my repertoire. Have been practicing at home
Emma Morris • Jun 2022
114 ClassBento workshops attended • 83 reviews
This was the first time I’ve even heard of toad binding! It was fun, but I wasn’t expecting to actually be using a cane toad skin! I enjoyed the class and Isabelle knows so much about bookbinding, it’s really inspiring. One suggestion I’d make is that it would be useful if we were told to fold the pages beforehand, then we wouldn’t spend 15 minutes of the class folding paper haha
Summer Woods • May 2022
64 ClassBento workshops attended • 64 reviews
Very happy with my art portfolio. Teacher was really helpful during the whole process. Loved using all the different materials
Emily H • Apr 2022
36 ClassBento workshops attended • 19 reviews
I am blown away by the results from this class! Easy to follow along with concise instructions from Isabelle making things go so smoothly. The pictures speak for themselves and even as a one off class you’ll be glad you did it!
Chris Johnson • Feb 2022
5 ClassBento workshops attended • 2 reviews
Isabelle provided a box of times all delivered in time for the online Zoom. Her instructions were clear and her two camera presentation allowed for clear visual understanding of techniques required. Completed the construction of a book in the time given and exceedingly proud of result.
Tanya Leigh • Dec 2021
7 ClassBento workshops attended • 5 reviews
Loved this class, the teacher was lovely and knowledgeable, really fun. I have some gorgeous Christmas decorations now.
Patricia Jungfer • Oct 2021
3 ClassBento workshops attended
Fun class, with a good amount of interaction, Isobelle was fabulous in answering all questions. She was very generous with her help.
Cassandra Williams • Sep 2021
11 ClassBento workshops attended • 5 reviews
Isablle was incredibly kind and patient, guiding us all through the process of making our books. She made sure we could see clearly what she was demonstrating and repeated steps to make sure no one got lost. Thankyou for a fantastic class - I can't wait to make more books!
Corrina-Leigh Forster • Sep 2021
2 ClassBento workshops attended
Isabelle is a fantastic instructor and her work is flawless! 100% recommend and I have book more classes!
Alice Young • Apr 2021
I couldn’t have loved this class more! Isabelle is an amazing teacher - knowledgeable and patient. I love her back story too - all contributing to the experience she shares - her time training in Italy and Scotland and building her business with national institutions in the UK. Can highly recommend this class.
Tegan Webb • Mar 2020
15 ClassBento workshops attended • 16 reviews
Amazing two day course! Very fast paced and comprehensive, with not group and individual instruction. Awesome new studio location. Isabelle really knows her stuff! Highly recommend.
