The Vespiary Bookstore & Bindery
The Vespiary Bookstore & Bindery
About the vespiary book restoration & bindery
Located in Missoula, Montana, Audra Loyal offers a wide range of book and paper conservation services. From cookbooks to rare first editions, she will consult with you on how best to restore, repair, and maintain the integrity of your treasured items.
Audra accepts repair jobs and orders by mail and in-person at her home-based workshop. You can place online orders for handmade and custom bound merchandise, as well as a selection of used books. Please give her a call or visit the online shop.
The Vespiary also offers a discerning collection of used books in the online shop. If you have books you’d like to trade, Audra offers credit for all her merchandise and services.
Preserve
A little bit of effort goes a long way towards preserving our cultural heritage for future generations.
Preserve
A little bit of effort goes a long way towards preserving our cultural heritage for future generations.
With 20 years in the preservation profession, Audra began her training at UC Davis. She worked for over 7 years at the University of Montana, Mansfield Library Preservation Department, and received her MLIS from the University of Washington. She is a member of the Guild of Book Workers, and has operated The Vespiary since 2008, serving individuals, libraries, archives, museums, historical societies and more.
What is a Vespiary?
What is a Vespiary?
apiary - [1654, from L. apiarium, neut. of apiarius “of bees,” from apis “bee,” a mystery word unrelated to any similar words in other I.E. languages.]
vespiary - [1817, irreg. f. L. vesp-a wasp, after apiary. Cf. med.L. vesparium.] A wasps’ nest
The word vespiary is related to the now-irregular word apiary, meaning beehive. My first studio was infested with wasps and yellowjackets. Not really the best working conditions, but as a former beekeeper, I wasn’t too alarmed. After all, we’re artisans that share 2 similar mediums: paper and mud (I’m a potter, too).