about
sABRINE & FINE cartonnage
about sabrine | cartonnage artist & educator
I live with my husband Edwin and our two sons Bruno and Caspar in The Hague, the Netherlands. I studied ‘Boekhandel en uitgeverij’ (Bookstore and publishing) in Amsterdam.
I am always busy with something and find it difficult to sit still! I describe myself as creative, enthusiastic and an optimist, but also a perfectionist. I'm a team player, but I don’t mind being alone. I love to listen to the radio (80s and 90s hits!) and to read magazines about interiors and design. You can often find me in a thrift shop. I only wear blue (& white)! I prefer lunch to dinner and enjoy a good cappuccino with a slice of carrot cake.
I am a benefactor of Stichting Handboekbinden (Foundation of Handbook Binding) (www.stichtinghandboekbinden.eu) and friend of Museum Meermanno (House of books, www.meermanno.nl) in The Hague.
I started The Cartonnerie in 2003. I always wanted to do something creative, but I spent a long time searching for what kind of creativity, until I went to a box making workshop, also called 'cartonnage'. I've been making boxes and cartonnage designs by hand in a traditional way ever since.
My mission is to complement and elevate the work and service of businesses that embrace elegance, fine art and heritage. To enrich your work or service through custom designs that make meaningful impact and authentic connection with clients that love what you do.
I work with FSC certified greyboard and paper, linen made from natural fibres, water based glue and I try to recycle as much waste and packages as possible. I also separate the paper waste.
I love to teach you how to craft your own boxes or cartonnage designs. To elevate your creative work or to learn a new craft.
On 20th June 2024, the start of summer, I'll launch my book about fine cartonnage: 'Crafting Fine Cartonnage: Basics & Beyond'. You can preorder yours now!
Enjoy crafting,
ARTIST IN CARTONNAGE
If you want to become an artist in cartonnage, implement cartonnage in your business, want to learn how to craft several designs, and are looking for guidance in this, please complete the form with the link below, and I will contact you.
LAUNCHING MY FIRST BOOK ON 20TH JUNE 2024
LEARNING CARTONNAGE HAS NEVER BEEN EASIER
history of cartonnage
Cartonnage dates back to ancient Egyptian times when they made individually cast and decorated covers for the deceased; sometimes just masks but also whole coffins.
Cartonnage was made originally from strips of linen glued together, layer upon layer, just as we do with papier mache today. When dry, these casings were finished off with a layer of gesso. Very intricate and detailed decorations were painted onto the finished surface. Some of them also had gold leaf added.
Very early examples of cartonnage have been discovered, but it is in the 18th Dynasty that it became the norm. It stayed popular right through the Roman period.
Later on, linen was not used so much. Instead, recycled papyrus from old documents were used (so they were even recycling all those years ago!).
Through the years, the term ‘cartonnage’ has metamorphosed into the meaning of today. If you were to walk into a bookstore now and asked for a book on ‘cartonnage’, you would most likely be directed to the arts and crafts corner. Here you would find many books on ‘the art of box making’. These boxes are decorated with fabric or sometimes patterned paper.
The modern cartonnage users often claim that the art form originated in France. Indeed, in the mid 1800's in a town called Valréas, it was re-discovered.
Atelier de Cartonnage in Valréas, France
In the middle of the 19th century, Ferdinand Revoul from Vaucluse developed a box designed to transport silkworm eggs imported from China and Japan.
These boxes allowed air to pass through thanks to small holes in the bottom and the lid. It was an ingenious system that marked the beginning of the whole packaging industry in Valréas.
In Valréas a museum opened in 1991 that houses souvenirs of the packaging and printing trade which has brought prosperity to the town since the middle of the 19th century. It shows the methods of manufacture and printing of cardboard boxes from its beginnings to today. Have a look if you’re there or passing by!
Atelier de Cartonnage in Valréas, France
Text source: www.papiermarche.co.uk
Photos: www.vaucluse-provence-pass.com
Beautiful craftswomen of cartonnage, also known as cartonnières, at work in the 18th and 19th Century
lovely WORDS
Sabrine's courses are amazing!
They are very easy to follow, along with the instruction videos and handouts.
It might take some more time if you decide to create a hinged box in a different size than the course (like I did right from the start, as I wanted to challenge myself a bit having some experience in bookbinding), but she gives all information you need to know to create beautiful packaging. I truly love this craft and am inspired to keep creating more!
NAOMI BONG A JAN, PEN TO PAPER, WEDDING STATIONER
I loved every part of the course from The Cartonnerie!
From when the supplies arrived, packed so beautifully and then to follow the instructions that were so easy to understand - and the end result is just gorgeous. I love my box and will definitely keep making them.
MALIN PALM VESTLUND, STUDIO BRANDIS
Your courses have helped me refine my skills of cartonnage over the last several years
which in turn have also helped me teach my assistant as well!
I love being able to create everything bespoke for my couples, even their keepsake boxes!
EMILEE STUCKY, EMILIMEDESIGNS
Sabrine's course is fantastic! I was hesitant to invest the money into something I felt I could figure out on my own but I'm glad I made the purchase. Her instructions are detailed and the video is soothing to watch. I've made several of the hinged boxes and they turn out beautiful due to her course. I hope to purchase additional courses in the future.
ANGELA GODFREY
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