About me
My passion for paper
My name is Bertie Franke and I'm an artist and ceramist born in the Netherlands. I studied Interior Architecture at the Willem de Kooning academie in Rotterdam. As a child I already had a great love for paper. As a youngster, I learned the Japanese art of paper folding from the sisters in the convent where my mother worked. And during my high school years I could spend days creating booklets and notebooks. Since I moved to Italy in 2015, that passion has slowly developed into the production of handmade notebooks and diaries in my own style. I initially started making dotted journals, but soon expanded to a series of notebooks, agendas and watercolor booklets. I like soft colors and binding techniques with character, where you can see on the outside of the book how it is bound. For my books I use eco-leather and beautiful paper with quirky images from an Italian manufacturer.
My story
After opening my Ceramics studio in Gradoli three years ago, I opened my second studio 'Passion for Paper and more...' in Bolsena in the spring of 2024. From my studio and shop I sell handmade notebooks, agendas and journals. But also Origami Wall Art, Pebble Art, T-shirts with my beloved spiritual symbols such as the flower of life and the labyrinth. And of course I also sell my raku ceramics, with the same recognizable symbolism. The collection can best be described as artistic, idiosyncratic and spiritual. Let yourself be enchanted by this inspiring place.
My passion for clay
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