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A Project Sneak Peek
More About Our Maker
Arounna uses needle punching to create wall art and home goods through her company and studio. Most recently she has been exploring botanical themes and patterns. Bookhou was cofounded by husband & wife team John Booth and Arounna Khounnoraj in 2002 to showcase their individual and collaborative work. Bookhou itself is a collaboration of the couple’s two last names embracing a similar philosophy to their studio practice. The team runs a multidisciplinary studio in Toronto that emphasizes natural, handmade materials and small production pieces ranging from textiles to fiber arts to furniture. Bookhou has both a brick and mortar shop as well as a strong online presence from which they share their explorations and creations.
Arounna shares with us that the desire to make was instilled from an early age. Her family immigrated to Canada from Laos when she was 4 years old and as far back as Arounna can remember the importance of making was emphasized in everyday life. Perhaps it was instilled by her mother who made everything she needed as a talented seamstress, or perhaps it was her own need to make that drove Arounna to make for a living. Today, after attending several art schools and earning a masters degree in fine art, Arounna concentrates her efforts on continuing her studio practice while also running a small business. She enjoys the wide range of fabric-based work, but also educating, mentoring and the building of a craft community through teaching, events and social media projects.
We can’t wait to see how you are inspired to create using this new technique! Be sure to share with us your process and your projects by tagging @bookhou and using #thecraftersbox. Happy making.