Hello, I’m Rachel Maiden, artist, designer and paper marbler, and the founder of Maiden Marbling. Based in Chester, Cheshire, I work from my purpose-built studio, creating marbled papers and bespoke designs for a wide range of creative applications.

My practice began with a chance encounter with a bookbinder. Having studied art and design, with a particular interest in textiles and surface design, I later spent time assisting in a bindery. There I discovered the beautiful marbled papers used on the covers and endpapers of old books. I was immediately captivated by this traditional and highly skilled craft, with its roots stretching back centuries.

At the time, there were relatively few practising marblers in the UK and very little published information on the craft. I began researching, experimenting and teaching myself, working through hundreds of sheets of paper from my kitchen table before developing my practice in a small studio. What began as a fascination has developed into an established artistic and design practice spanning more than a decade.

Today, my work brings the traditional craft of paper marbling into contemporary design, interiors, publishing, art and craft. I create original and bespoke papers and textiles for graphic and interior designers, publishers, artists, bookbinders, craftspeople and independent creative businesses, as well as developing designs for licensing and commercial production.

My work has been used as props for productions including Netflix’s Bridgerton and Warner Bros. Studios, and I have created work for Beaverbrook Townhouse and renowned interior designer Nicola Harding. My designs have also featured in projects for Penguin Random House, teNeues, the Roald Dahl Story Company and the Lamington Group. Marbled designs I have created and licensed for stationery and homewares have subsequently been stocked by Anthropologie, Barnes & Noble and other leading retailers.

More recently, my practice has expanded into fine press and special-edition publishing, creating commissioned papers for The Labyrinth of the Faun, published by Books Illustrated and signed by both Cornelia Funke and Guillermo del Toro. I have also created edition work for Curious King Books, including The Last Argument of Kings by Joe Abercrombie, Assassin’s Apprentice signed by Robin Hobb, and the forthcoming The Wizard of Earthsea. For Nepenthe Press, my edition work includes Edgar Allan Poe’s The Fall of the House of Usher and The Music of Eric Zann.

My work also extends into music and contemporary art, including marbled designs for Randall Poster’s The Birdsong Project LP box set and Matthew Rolston’s exhibition book, presented at CAMERA WORK, Berlin, Laguna Art Museum and Fahey/Klein Gallery in Los Angeles.

Alongside my studio practice, I occasionally share my knowledge of the craft through one-to-one marbling sessions, when time allows.