My Most Ambitious Body of Work - The PILLARS Collection

It's long overdue that I pay proper respect to this wonderful collection! I've made a showcase of each of the five books and shed some light on the inspiration and concepts behind the structure and decoration.
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#Bookbinding #Heritage #Past

[@aspektx]

"Paying homage in your own particular way." For me that is the definition of carrying on a tradition.

[@hxcAMBERhxc]

Exactly. For handmade items like books, there's no one-size-fits-all mold to use. Each handmade item is naturally going to take on a bit of the creators personality. The student can never be exactly the same as the teacher.

[@Stopan]

For some, tradition is replicating the old way. It's very common here for masters never to develop a personal style in fear that somehow history would become lost. There is some truth to and each person somehow chooses his role in the scheme of things. I'm more or less excused from this, because of the lack of firm tradition in bookbinding here.

[@pipr5070]

I am speechless. They are just stunning. Words fail me in expressing how just beautiful they are.

[@Stopan]

Thank you!

[@IchigoDeFolie]

Stopan you mad lad! This has got to be one of my favorites of your work next to the White leather books you've made. Astounding! My temptation to commission your work grows with each video.

[@Stopan]

Thank you! I'm still not sure which white leather books your refer to? :D

[@williamkimmel6487]

Your artwork is exceptional. As for the boxing and linen packaging for shipping, I think it is fantastic. It lends to centuries past. Don't change a thing. Kim Kim's Heirloom Vintage Journals

[@juliojoyjoy883]

Stunning work, my friend, congratulations, wonderful books!!!👏👏😄😄😍😍😍

[@peterbandsholm8853]

Amazing. I get a great joy out of looking at those beautiful books.

[@Stopan]

A pleasure to hear, thank you!

[@melissageeo2946]

Thank you for sharing this. This is honestly such a heartfelt work to have experienced from you. Again thank you.

[@Stopan]

And thank you for the kind words, Melissa!

[@1586brittc]

Just brilliant. stunning. Exceptional. Love you're work from the the plywood shipping to the linen bag to the piece of art on the inside

[@Stopan]

I'm very glad, thank you for the kind words!

[@typheousvenom1335]

You really deserve much more subscribers! Your work is stunning.

[@conservativecalvinist3308]

Your mustache is awesome!

[@robertandmeri9122]

such an intellect and deep intelligence... you are the most inspiring bookbinder I have seen. Keep up the good work, you inspire, influence and amaze people all over the world!

[@guilherminacarvalho5598]

Gorgeous, each one is a piece of art. Tfs your work.

[@ImTash]

god these are beautiful! I'd be terrified to write in them!

[@seariousjones]

stunning!

[@Stopan]

Thank you!

[@SVENofKY]

˜Your work is very beautiful and skillfull!

[@tropicalhellesdongardenuk2991]

outstanding craftmanship

[@gamingscientist7445]

Your books are priceless works of art. Thank you for sharing your talent with the world.

[@Stopan]

And thank you for taking the time to write these kind words!

[@IsetMeritAmon]

These books are absolutely magnificent. I find it so lovely and touching to realize that, in the process of paying homage to the tradition of old, you have also cemented yourself in its history. I have no doubt that, as time and history continue, you will also be an inspiration and influence to future artists of the craft (I do believe this is a form of art, and you can't convince me otherwise

[@Stopan]

Thank you very much for taking the time to write this! And of course, for listening what I had to say about those books. I dream of what things would look like 10 years from now and I wish I am able to inspire. It sometimes gets tiresome to be young and impatient. For better or worse, that's how things work and I can't rush this process of learning, nor can anybody else. I'm really glad I'm able to inspire other people to pursue working with books in their own particular context. It's really humbling. I really wish everyone to have success in this, because it's wonderful to have such an occupation. It's not without its hard moments however. Thank you again and have a wonderful weekend!

[@pietravanderlinden2690]

Just beautiful. God bless

[@sallyrobinson3469]

Love watching you create and it was lovely to see you in front of the camera! You are an amazing artist.

[@Stopan]

Thank you for the kind feedback! I think I still need to work on feeling more comfortable in these videos.

[@MargheritaOrsoPletti]

Your work is incredible.

[@yikesonbikes4963]

Your work, as well as the inspiration for it, is absolutely beautiful - You should be very proud.

[@gabrielacornelio8469]

I love your work, I discovered it today and I can not stop watching your art. I hope I can buy one of your artwork one of these days!!!! I hope you continue with this art that I guess are getting lost. Thank you for sharing with us!!!

[@Stopan]

Thank you so much!

[@JPS-gc5rl]

You’re an absolutely brilliant artist. Your videos are a joy to watch and you’re incredibly skilled. Btw, I love your tattoos!

[@OMEGATEAM473]

I want you to know sir, your work truly inspires me. You are one of the main reasons why I’ve gotten into bookbinding. I’ve always been fascinated by leather bound books and journals, but I’m not so much of a writer or reader. And ever since I stumbled onto your KZbin channel, I’ve been hooked and have studied bookbinding . It made me realize that I actually like the structure of the book. So far I have made three leather bound journals that I’ve given away as gifts to friends and family and I am very pleased to see how I have progressed. I just want to think you for inspiring me.

[@Stopan]

Thank you once again for reaching out! I assure you, it's very humbling to hear! I know what you mean, as you saw in the previous video, almost all of the journals I have are far from filled up. I just wanted to make more and was a bit mistaken when I believed that I would write them all up. The process is great in itself. I wish you best of luck with your project and much more progress! Happy binding!

[@jadebethj4807]

these are so beautiful

[@frankgyori2740]

Extraordinary.

[@Andy-dk9wb]

These are all so incredible. It warmed my heart to see how your mother and father also did some details for this, but most of all I love the motion in the art on the covers. It wonderfully captured exactly what you described. I got chills when you took the last book from the linen! It's size, color, and the art of the front cover was not only beautiful but I could see that it was about acceptance of not knowing the past fully, but not forgetting it, and appreciating it. I always look forward to whichever of your works you choose to share with us in these videos. Also, I need to add that your video quality and backgrounds are also so pleasing to the eye!! Your video making skills are incredible!! Thank you so much for the wonderful experience.

[@Stopan]

Thank you for taking the time to share this, Andy! Its really nice to read such words. I do try to make everything look nice and pleasing, not a lot more going on. I'm very glad you appreciate the effort and I wish you a wonderful weekend!

[@badstate]

Breathtaking work. Your love and respect for the craft and its history are palpable.

[@suziegem]

Amazing that one minute I was watching footage of old protected bibloteque and then I stumbled on your work. You are a pleasure to watch. So relaxed and so yourself. How wonderful that you are preserving tradition but most of all, creating stories and journeys for years to come.

[@Stopan]

Glad you enjoyed it and thank you so much for the kind words!

[@TheLupulalb]

Beautiful, your work is an inspiration

[@francescodigiovanni4632]

WONDERFUL

[@CorneliusCreations]

This is fantastic. Great artistry bro!

[@Stopan]

Thanks! Have a great weekend!

[@masterofone2076]

Absolutely beautiful! You are truly a master of your craft.

[@Stopan]

Thank you! Cheers!

[@BrunaMoraes]

sua arte é um espetáculo! me emociona, mesmo de longe. não posso imaginar como ficaria meu coração, se eu os tocasse. obrigada por isso. muita sorte em sua caminhada.

[@MsTom2511]

Jumping on the notification as usual ! Love your work !

[@Stopan]

Thanks for watching and your support! I hope you find it enjoyable!

[@PrimalEdge]

absolutely gorgeous

[@irishguy13]

Nicely done.

[@jasonmatthews1303]

You are a Master Craftsman, sir. Thank you for sharing your handiwork. How did you make the woven headbands. I've never seen anything like that.

[@kimjensenable]

All things beautiful are worth the effort. Your work will not go unnoticed.

[@allanblack8635]

Amazing work. I would love to see how you are sewing in your leather front page joints. Your work is an inspiration.

[@horseprotogen5560]

😯i love this book so beautfull

[@cindyfinn4845]

So beautiful pieces of art

[@gristlevonraben]

Wow, very very cool.

[@lgbpinho]

GODDAMN IT

[@kirill87600]

it's a big job of decorating a book. but can you explain why you need a stich on the flyleaf. I cant understand that ! Beause of that your book has some problems with opening. why don't you make stiched flyleaf under first notebook (пришивной форзац под первую тетрадь) the book blok will open more comfortable. Can I send some photo to you facebook how it looks and wat i mean ?

[@konstantinoskarasavidis6036]

Wow, this are masterpieces. Do you consider yourself a craftsman or an artist? Or both? Personally i think this is a fantastic artwork. Why this unorthodox format? Because it looks more impressiv? arent this books to precious to actually write in them?

[@Stopan]

Thank you! So many questions! Right now I believe, I'm mostly a craftsman. Art is something I'm not quite ready for. I'm quite tempted to try it out but I feel I'm not in tune with what art represents today. My work could be understood as decorative art or applied art in some way. It's a tough question and I spend much time pondering it. Thank you for considering these works art! It's a big compliment. As for why this unorthodox format. In short, yes. I wanted these books to look impressive even when this would surely affect the function and comfort. I think every person has something of great value that is worthy of writing, if not for them, then for future generations.

[@theray3run]

Awesome!!! What thickness of leather do you use?

[@Stopan]

Thank you! The blue book is 0.8, and the others are 0.65 mm.

[@theray3run]

It is always interesting for me what paper density do you usually use for pages. Is it 80 or maybe 120 g/m2? I’m a beginner and I use simple paper for printer but pages is too white. Can you give me advice? As I see you use your own endpaper - wow! so cool!

[@abrcadabr9802]

Seems a bit unpractical, but defenitely shows how good you are at what you do. Well done

[@hxcAMBERhxc]

26:50 :) I agree with him that they would look gorgeous for that purpose.

[@abrcadabr9802]

@@hxcAMBERhxc Yeah, might be good for poetry.

[@Stopan]

Thank you! And I agree. Every time I make something I have to consider the balance between function and artistry. This time the scales are definitely tipped towards artistry rather than comfort and function of use. These are statement pieces above all else.

[@gabijekova9153]

Прави клипове в които по-често говориш на български език

[@Stopan]

Малко се бавя с развиването на българския канал. Нямам достатъчно време да подготвя нещо по-адекватно, но ще измисля как да компенсирам. Благодаря за бележката!