Fairytale Book Covers By Latvian Artist Aniko Kolesnikova
Elaborate book covers have been Aniko Kolesnikova’s passion since 2009. The Latvian designer-artist, working under the name Mandarin Duck, specializes in creating dragon-, animal-, bird-, fantasy-, and nature-inspired polymer journals. She occasionally takes custom orders, too.
Bookbinding in the West is recorded from the 5th century onwards, although the earliest surviving book is the 8th-century St. Cuthbery Gospel. Books were bound in materials such as wood, leather, and cloth, but did you know that some books were also bound in human skin? This is called anthropodermic bibliopegy.
Kolesnikova has made YouTube tutorials on journal cover design too, so if binding with skin isn’t your thing, she’ll teach you how to do it with polymer. Check out some of her work below:
More info: Etsy | mandarin-duck.com | Facebook | YouTube
Frog
“My amazing journey of discovery as a sculptor began 6-7 years ago when Chris Wildhaber Kapono from Deviantart inspired me to start working with polymer clay,” Kolesnikova told Bored Panda
Owl
Indian Elephant
“I get many custom requests to make skull journals, although I don’t like making them. One interesting order was for a Doctor Who themed journal”
Nature’s Footprint
Seduction
Starry Eyed
“Sometimes when I lie in bed and close my eyes I suddenly get an idea for a journal. I jump up and run to my studio to make a few sketches, so I can start working in the morning”
Insect
Floral Journal
Skull & Roses
The Lighthouse
“I once made two matching journals based on a story, but they were separated by a sale. A year later, the customer bought the second journal, and the two were reunited, just like the characters in the story”
Blue Dragon
Bored Panda would like to thank Aniko Kolesnikova for this interview.
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Holy c**p these book covers a brilliantly beautiful!! Great post Dainius.
HI :) I am Anna KOLESNIKOVA, not KOLESHNIKOVA :) Could you please fix it? LOL :))))) Otherwise, thank's for the article!
AnikoKolesnikova Where can I buy your beautiful book covers?
Load More Replies...
They're all sooo pretty (just don't put them in the shelf lol)!!!! But how do two dragons wrapped around a CROSS represent seduction?
the white is for purity......the red is the devil.....
Load More Replies...
I absolutely love these and it makes me want to try it!! I'm in awe!
I am really sorry it took me so long to reply to this comment. Are you still interested in ordering a journal cover? Please e-mail me on mymandarinducky@gmail.com and we can work it out! Sorry again it took me so long. I wasn't aware that Bored Panda has comments on the posts... Aniko www.mandarin-duck.com
Load More Replies...
These are amazing and I love them. I did notice though that the Indian Elephant... the ears and tusks make it look like an African elephant
Maybe someday I will be that good as Aniko. She's amazing artist !!!
I am really sorry it took me so long to reply to this comment. Are you still interested in ordering a journal cover? Please e-mail me on mymandarinducky@gmail.com and we can work it out! Sorry again it took me so long. I wasn't aware that Bored Panda has comments on the posts... Aniko www.mandarin-duck.com
Load More Replies...
I am really sorry it took me so long to reply to this comment. Are you still interested in ordering a journal cover? Please e-mail me on mymandarinducky@gmail.com and we can work it out! Sorry again it took me so long. I wasn't aware that Bored Panda has comments on the posts... Aniko www.mandarin-duck.com
Load More Replies... 
I felt sorry for the tortoise, but what a wonderful way to make it mobile again.
The fantasy book covers are, without a doubt, the most unique and beautiful artwork I have seen to date!!!
AMAZING!!! i have a 60 color set of polymer clay, and i have always dreamed of doing comething like this
I am in AWE!!! These are the most beautiful books I have ever seen.
Aniko's book covers are really beautiful. She is so talented and she has inspired me to decorate my own personal sketch pads!
Your work is absolutely brilliant ....... absolutely gorgeous. You should apply to some of these design studios like Disney your work in polymer is the type of talent they look for. Thank you for sharing!
Aniko All that hard work you put into and the heart you give to them and work out the intricate details is truly amazing!u've got talent.I can't take my eyes off these!..My Best Wishes...
Holy c**p these book covers a brilliantly beautiful!! Great post Dainius.
HI :) I am Anna KOLESNIKOVA, not KOLESHNIKOVA :) Could you please fix it? LOL :))))) Otherwise, thank's for the article!
AnikoKolesnikova Where can I buy your beautiful book covers?
Load More Replies... They're all sooo pretty (just don't put them in the shelf lol)!!!! But how do two dragons wrapped around a CROSS represent seduction?
the white is for purity......the red is the devil.....
Load More Replies... I absolutely love these and it makes me want to try it!! I'm in awe!
I am really sorry it took me so long to reply to this comment. Are you still interested in ordering a journal cover? Please e-mail me on mymandarinducky@gmail.com and we can work it out! Sorry again it took me so long. I wasn't aware that Bored Panda has comments on the posts... Aniko www.mandarin-duck.com
Load More Replies... These are amazing and I love them. I did notice though that the Indian Elephant... the ears and tusks make it look like an African elephant
Maybe someday I will be that good as Aniko. She's amazing artist !!!
I am really sorry it took me so long to reply to this comment. Are you still interested in ordering a journal cover? Please e-mail me on mymandarinducky@gmail.com and we can work it out! Sorry again it took me so long. I wasn't aware that Bored Panda has comments on the posts... Aniko www.mandarin-duck.com
Load More Replies... I am really sorry it took me so long to reply to this comment. Are you still interested in ordering a journal cover? Please e-mail me on mymandarinducky@gmail.com and we can work it out! Sorry again it took me so long. I wasn't aware that Bored Panda has comments on the posts... Aniko www.mandarin-duck.com
Load More Replies... I felt sorry for the tortoise, but what a wonderful way to make it mobile again.
The fantasy book covers are, without a doubt, the most unique and beautiful artwork I have seen to date!!!
AMAZING!!! i have a 60 color set of polymer clay, and i have always dreamed of doing comething like this
I am in AWE!!! These are the most beautiful books I have ever seen.
Aniko's book covers are really beautiful. She is so talented and she has inspired me to decorate my own personal sketch pads!
Your work is absolutely brilliant ....... absolutely gorgeous. You should apply to some of these design studios like Disney your work in polymer is the type of talent they look for. Thank you for sharing!
Aniko All that hard work you put into and the heart you give to them and work out the intricate details is truly amazing!u've got talent.I can't take my eyes off these!..My Best Wishes...
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