about.
Black Fox Bindery, based in North London, is owned and run by Nicky Oliver. She has combined her knowledge from an art education in illustration and surface design with professional bookbinding craft skills gained during 15 years of commercial experience to produce beautiful design bindings, boxes, limited editions and so much more.
She is an active member of both Society of Bookbinders and Designer Bookbinders. She is also a Fellow of Designer Bookbinders, UK organisations whose main goals are the maintenance and improvement of standards of design and craft in the book arts. She regularly enters National and International Competitions and has won several awards.
Her education began in surface design and illustration and progressed to bookbinding where she felt she could combine her creative techniques with a craft that she loves.
She has over 15 years experience working in commercial binderies where she honed a range of skills that include bookbinding, box-making, labels and blocking, inlay and onlay work, full leather and small-run limited edition bindings.
Nicky specialises in the dyeing of her own leather for her design pieces, this aspect of her practice has enabled her to collaborate with other craftspeople. She welcomes the unity of different disciplines to create unique pieces of work.
Black Fox Bindery also plays host to various bookbinding workshops from beginner taster classes to advanced decorative techniques. These workshops are either taught by her or a guest tutor. Keeping the craft of bookbinding alive is of great importance and the primary reason why Black Fox Bindery was established.
EDUCATION & TRAINING
2022
Rainbow Glass Studio
Attended 1 day Enamelling Course - Eleanor Watson
2021
R.J. Leather Sewing School
Attended 4 days Leather Sewing - Rebecca Eaton
2019
R.J. Leather Sewing School
Attended 1 day course Leather Sewing - Rebecca Eaton
2018 - 1wk
Centro del bel Libro, Ascona Switzerland
Attended 1 week course: Bradel Binding - Suzanne Schmollgruber
2015 – 1wk
Centro del bel Libro, Ascona, Switzerland
Attended 1 week course: Gold Tooling Today – Edwin Heim
2014 – 1wk
Centro del bel Libro, Ascona, Switzerland
Attended 1 week course: Books and boxes with magnetic closures – Nadine Werner
2013 –
Master Classes
Peter Jones 2 days Onlays, Inlays & Scarf Joints
David Sellars 2 days Approach to Design
Sue Doggett 2 days How do we ‘design’ for ‘design bindings’
2012 –
Master Classes
Stuart Brockman 3 day Fine Binding
Flora Ginn 2 day Gold Tooling
2010 – 2wks
Centro del bel Libro, Ascona, Switzerland
Attended 3 one week courses: Onlay & Inlay workshop; Slipcase & box making workshop, Books and Boxes with Magnetic closures workshop.
2003–2014
Studio 5 Bookbinding Studio, London
Various binding techniques, including finishing, leather dyeing, printing and relief work, onlay & inlay work, different box making styles
1999–2001
Higher National Diploma Bookbinding
London College of Printing (Part-time)
1999–2000
Shepherds Bindery
Attended evening classes in Gold Finishing
1995–1998
BA Graphic Design and Illustration
Bath Spa University College
1994–1995
National Diploma Foundation Studies in Art and Design
Yeovil College for Higher Education
AWARDS & PRIZES
2023
The Bee Sting by Paul Murray
Booker Awards Binding
2019
An Orchestra of Minorities by Chigozie Obioma
Booker Awards Binding
2016
Hot Milk by Deborah Levy
Booker Awards Binding
2016
Best Creative Binding Category
Elizabeth Soutar Bookbinding Competition
2015
Highly Commended – Maker of the Year
Heritage Craft Association
2014
Best Craft Binding Overall Category
Elizabeth Soutar Bookbinding Competition
Folio Society Second Prize Set Book
Designer Bookbinders Competition
2013
Distinguished Winner – Shakespeare Trophy
Designer Bookbinders International Competition
2012
Friends of the John Rylands Library Prize for Finishing
Designer Bookbinders Competition
2010
First Prize Open Choice Book
Folio Society First Prize Set Book
Edgar Mansfield Silver Medal
Designer Bookbinders Competition
2009
Friends of the John Rylands Library Prize for Finishing
Designer Bookbinders Competition
2008
Folio Society Second Prize Set Book
Designer Bookbinders Competition
2001
P&S Engraving award for Gold Finishing
London College of Printing
PRESENTATIONS
2024
Edge Decoration & End-banding Workshop
West Dean College - FDA Students
2024
Two Tray Drop Back Box Workshop
West Dean College - FDA Students
2023
Onlays & Inlays Workshop
Society of Bookbinders, East Anglia Region
2022
Two Tray Drop Back Box Workshop
Society of Bookbinders, East Anglia Region
2022
Lecture - A Bookbinder’s Journey into Leather Dyeing
Society of Bookbinders, London South East Region
2019
Lecture - A Bookbinder’s Journey into Leather Dyeing
Bind19 Sydney, Australia
2018
Leather Dyeing Techniques Workshop
North Bennet Street School, Boston
2017
Leather Dyeing and Bradel Binding Workshop
Faculty of Fine Arts, University of Ostrava, Czech Republic
2016
Two Tray Drop Back Box Masterclass
Society of Bookbinders East Anglia Region
2015
Leather Dyeing Techniques Demonstration Lecture
SCK Czech Bookbinders Conference, Rosice in Brna.
Leather Dyeing Techniques Workshop
Box Making Workshop
Headbanding Workshop
Beginners Bookbinding Workshop
Book Conservation Services, Castlemaine, Victoria, Australia
2014
Onlays & Inlays Masterclass
Society of Bookbinders, South West Region
Leather Dyeing Techniques Demonstration Lecture
Society of Bookbinders Seminar, Cirencester
2013
Headbanding Masterclass
Society of Bookbinders, North Wales & North West Region
Box-in-a-Box Masterclass
Designer Bookbinders & Society of Bookbinders Joint Workshops, London
2012
Box-in-a-Day Masterclass
Society of Bookbinders, London Region
Leather Surface Decoration Masterclass
Designer Bookbinders & Society of Bookbinders Joint Workshops, London (January & November)
2010
Lecture and demonstration “A Simple Approach to Creative Onlays”
Society of Bookbinders Education and Training Seminar
2008
Headbanding Masterclass
Society of Bookbinders, Morley College
2006
Leather Onlays Masterclass
Society of Bookbinders, London Region