The Year of the Fire Horse Journal Collection
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A Small, One-of-a-Kind Hypatia Book Arts Collection
We have entered the Chinese New Year - the Year of the Fire Horse.
In the Chinese zodiac, the Horse embodies strength, independence, forward momentum, and stamina. When joined with Fire, those qualities intensify - vision, courage, creative force, decisive movement. The Fire Horse is spirited and powerful, but at its best, that energy is focused and purposeful.
Over the past few weeks, I’ve received several inquiries asking whether I would create any Hypatia journals to honor this year.
I have gathered a very small collection.
In the studio, I’ve been holding a cherished Indian hand-carved wood block of a horse - deeply cut, rustic, and full of character. I’ve kept it for years, waiting for the right moment. Now feels like that moment.
Each book in this series has been hand-stamped with that block. No two impressions are identical. Each carries the mark of the hand and the grain of the wood.
The collection is varied in both size and binding:
An A5 hard-cover Coptic-bound journal filled with handmade lokta paper - substantial, tactile, quietly strong, totally unique.
These Special Edition Coptic Bindings feature covers made from a unique Nepalese paper called Gauze Butter Paper - a handmade beauty that blends richly colored parchment with a layer of gauze cloth, creating an incredible depth of texture and color.
Covers are hand-stamped with Indian wood block prints, accented with hand-painted gold leaf. Back covers are adorned with a lovely piece of vintage kantha cloth, bringing a final touch of history and texture.
The earthly combination of beautiful materials in these hardcover Coptic books feels as deliciously inviting as your favorite pair of worn-in jeans – familiar, totally lovely, and impossible not to love.
A5 size (5.8”x 8.3”) filled with 96pp handmade lokta paper, $150
An 8” x 8” Artisan Block Print Sketchbook bound with khadi cotton rag paper - generous, open, and ready for movement and bold marks.
Handmade 8” x 8” sketchbooks bound in Nepalese gauze butter paper, hand block-printed, and gilded with gold leaf.
Inside: 210 gsm khadi handmade cotton rag paper with deckled edges - textured, natural, and beautifully responsive to ink and pigment alike. $145.
A new paperback soft-cover journal (5.75” x 7.5”) with covers of St. Armand paper milled in Canada, hand-stamped and filled with cotton rag paper - flexible, grounded, deeply satisfying to write in.
100 pages of handmade khadi cotton rag paper. Hand-stamped Indian wood block print. Covers: St. Armand paper milled in Canada. End papers are Jemma Lewis marble designs. $170.
These are one-of-a-kind books. Each one carries the Horse differently.
Because of their singular nature, they are not listed in the online shop. If you are interested in seeing photographs or reserving one, please contact me directly and I will be happy to share what is currently available and arrange shipping.
Whether or not you follow the zodiac closely, there is something meaningful about beginning a year with intention - with strength harnessed, energy directed, and movement guided by clarity.
In this Year of the Fire Horse,
may your fire be focused,
your stride steady,
and your path clear.
Much love,
Cynthia