About

My name is Bonnie Thompson Norman. For me, books are a passion as well as a profession.

I have been proprietor of The Windowpane Press, a letterpress printing and book arts studio, for almost thirty years. I work full-time as a hand bookbinder in a commercial bindery. Evenings and weekends, I teach classes in printing and bookmaking.

My first job, at age 16, was in a bookstore, and nearly every job I’ve held since has in some way involved books or art. I became interested in letterpress printing beginning in 1967 when I went to work for Jake Zeitlin at Zeitlin & Ver Brugge in Los Angeles. I was Studio Director at the Woman’s Building and worked for renown letterpress printer, Patrick Reagh, for a number of years. I am one of the original group of Women of Letters, which continues to meet today, more than twenty-five years after our original gathering.

After moving to Seattle in 1993, I went to work as a hand bookbinder for Puget Bindery in Kent. I also began offering classes through the University of Washington’s Experimental College as well as occasionally teaching at Seattle Central Community College and the School of Visual Concepts. I am an active member of the Guild of Book Workers and the Book Arts Guild in Seattle in addition to other professional organizations.

I also enjoy reading, walking my two dogs and going to the movies or plays with my friends.