The Art of Book Folding: A Blend of Passion, Technology, and Hard Work

Marilyn Sehn, a retired bookkeeper and administrator, has found a new passion in the art of “upcycling” books, thanks to a YouTube video that sparked her interest. Using a combination of art, technology, and elbow grease, Sehn creates stunning works of art by folding and decorating books in unique ways.

Her favorite technique, called Photo Strip Book Art, involves creating an image in an artificial intelligence program, stretching it out over 26 pages of photo strips, and then applying them to the edge of each page. The result is a beautiful photo that adorns the closed pages of the book.

Despite the physical demands of the work, Sehn pours her heart and soul into each project, spending 12 to 16 hours on each book. Her dedication has paid off, as she has become a Star Seller on Etsy Canada, with over 18,000 sales in one shop and over 500 sales in another.

Sehn’s passion for book-folding not only allows her to create beautiful works of art but also helps save hardcover books from ending up in landfills. By repurposing old books, she gives them new life as display pieces that can be enjoyed for years to come.

As she approaches her 77th birthday, Sehn hopes to inspire others, especially elderly women, to pursue their passions and start new hobbies or businesses. With the support of her husband and mentorship from a fellow artist in Sweden, Sehn continues to hone her craft and share her love for book-folding with the world.