ANDREA KOHLER learned her craft as a bookbinder in the old city of Zurich, Switzerland.

After a traditional 4-year apprenticeship and several sojourns abroad, Andrea established her own atelier in Zurich, where she practiced for 14 years. She trained several apprentices and for many years taught courses in her specialty at a school for continuing education. Since 1996, she has lived and worked in Seattle, Washington.

Andrea binds books entirely by hand, in both traditional and contemporary styles, using techniques that have changed little over hundreds of years. Hand binding is a labor-intensive craft, requiring much skill and patience.

Andrea will be in Switzerland from August 1, 2005 through the end of August 2006. While in Zurich, she can be contacted via email or by cellular: + 41 79 231 3128