In 1992, upon graduating from Arizona State University's School of Architecture and Design, I took off on an adventure through Europe. Five months into my journey, I had my backpack stolen in the train station in Rome. Gone were my camera, my walkman, my passport, my money, my plane ticket, and most devastatingly, my journal!  Days later, I met a street artist who led me down a little alley to his friend's bookbinding shop where I was immediately entranced. The bookbinder and I became fast friends, and he shared his knowledge and skill with me over the next several days.

A year later I'd filled the book I'd gotten from my teacher, and I needed a new one. I recalled those days in Venice, and created a journal from a scrap of leather and watercolor paper.  Everywhere I went with that book, people would ask if I could make one for them. Thus, the beginning of Iona Handcrafted Books. I still make them the traditional way that the monks made them centuries ago. And some have my own signature touch which involves using Victorian hardware as closure mechanisms. I have been happily living and working for over 20 years now in east Austin, and I love it! And if not for that little Italian kid, who knows where I'd be?!