EXPLORE

Another side of my work

EXPLORE

Another side of my work

MATERIAL WORK

Hands-on making and building

WOOD SCULPTURE

Portugal Study Abroad

A personal project created as part of a study abroad program in Portugal, where we were asked to develop an individual piece inspired by our experiences during the trip. The project was open-ended, allowing us to respond to anything we observed or connected with while travelling. I was inspired by an urban art tour in Covilhã, where I saw wooden pieces installed in boarded-up windows and doors. I used this as the inspiration for a small 12"x24" wooden sculpture of my cat.

A personal project created as part of a study abroad program in Portugal, where we were asked to develop an individual piece inspired by our experiences during the trip. The project was open-ended, allowing us to respond to anything we observed or connected with while travelling. I was inspired by an urban art tour in Covilhã, where I saw wooden pieces installed in boarded-up windows and doors. I used this as the inspiration for a small 12"x24" wooden sculpture of my cat.

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MY CAT

BOUND TO EXPLORE

Miniature Bookbinding Collection

This project explores the variety and creativity within bookbinding through a set of 12 miniature 2” x 2” books, each made with a different binding technique. Most of the materials, including the covers, cardboard, and interior papers, were gathered from UNF’s Special Collections, allowing the materials to be repurposed in a new context. Some additional materials, like colored mulberry sheets, were incorporated to unify the color palette across the collection. Bringing these bindings together in a cohesive set encourages viewers to explore how many different ways a book can be made and hopefully inspires curiosity in both making and learning. The books sit inside a handmade box that resembles the look of a closed book, bringing the collection together.

This project explores the variety and creativity within bookbinding through a set of 12 miniature
2” x 2” books, each made with a different binding technique. Most of the materials, including the covers, cardboard, and interior papers, were gathered from UNF’s Special Collections, allowing the materials to be repurposed in a new context. Some additional materials, like colored mulberry sheets, were incorporated to unify the color palette across the collection. Bringing these bindings together in a cohesive set encourages viewers to explore how many different ways a book can be made and hopefully inspires curiosity in both making and learning. The books sit inside a handmade box that resembles the look of a closed book, bringing the collection together.

PHOTOGRAPHY

ITALY JOURNAL (STUDY ABROAD)

Pages from my travel journal created during a study abroad program in Italy in 2023, featuring a mix of ink and watercolor drawings from different places I visited.

leahbush.design@gmail.com

© 2026 Leah Bush. All Rights Reserved.

leahbush.design@gmail.com

© 2026 Leah Bush. All Rights Reserved.