The Story of
STEFANIA
WHO AM I?
I grew up in Italy in a small town, Mogliano Veneto, near two amazing places that deeply influenced me: the Dolomite mountains, where I spent most of my childhood summers playing in the woods, hiking trails, and breathing in the crisp air; and the unique city of Venice. Though I didn’t live there, its labyrinth of canals and palaces became a reference for creativity defying limits.
My parents’ values became my compass: my mother, a nurse, taught me to care deeply—for people, for work. My father, an artisan, showed me the quiet power of creation with bare hands.
After high school years as an art student and a college degree in Physical Education, my early career working in the world of fitness for health took a sharp turn when, in 1997, I followed the love of my life to New York—a city that tested and transformed me.
It wasn’t until 2006 that I discovered and got hooked by the bookbinding world. Here, in this relentless metropolis, I found my rhythm—stitching together the patience of Italian tradition with New York’s electric pulse.
At ShadowLight Binding, every piece is the result of my background, roots, reinvention, and the art of making something that lasts.
HOW IT BECAME MY LIFE PURPOSE
My bookbinding journey began in 2006 when both of my oldest twin brothers announced, just weeks apart, that they were expecting babies. I was so thrilled by the news that I wanted to gift them something truly special and timeless.
I had always dreamed of illustrating a children’s story that one of them had written, and this was the perfect occasion. After months of bringing the story to life through my illustrations, the only thing left was learning how to turn the entire project into a book. That’s when I decided to take my first bookbinding class at theCenter for Book Arts in New York City.
When my nephew Alessandro and niece Viola arrived on the "same day", despite their due dates being three weeks apart—how incredible is that?—their very first children’s book was ready. The awe on my brothers’ faces as they held those books was incredibly rewarding. That moment fueled my passion even further. I wanted my books to bring joy and be cherished by the artists receiving them.
WHAT KEPT ME GOING
For two years, I immersed myself in bookbinding, exploring various classes to learn different techniques. However, it was meeting Barbara Mauriello, a master bookbinder, that truly changed everything for me. She didn’t just teach me box-making; she redefined it. “A box isn’t just a container,” she would say. “It’s a stage to tell a story.” Under her guidance, I developed a love for precision—the razor-sharp angles, the satisfying click of a perfectly fitted lid, and the alchemy of materials transforming into vessels for art.
This passion blossomed into a six-year collaboration with photographer Aaron Rose. Together, we pushed boundaries, turning archival boxes into storytelling heirlooms. His bold work inspired me, and in return, he gave me the freedom to innovate—showing that craft truly thrives on partnership.
Then came 2020. With the world on pause, I turned inward. No more collaborative projects or shared studios—just me, my tools, and a few pressing questions: "How do I keep going?" and "How do I spark joy in isolation?" I found my answer in designing SLB Watercolor Art books. I began crafting them with 100% cotton watercolor paper and vibrant, original fabric covers, each book made with incredible care and expertise. My goal was to provide artists who share a passion for the art journal format with a space that inspires their drawing and painting.