My two children live in San Diego and I’m always looking for an excuse to go down to visit. I have loved Daniel Essig’s books for years and the idea that I could actually see and handle his books was reason enough to book a flight. Even better, he was offering a three day workshop to make a sewn book with wooden covers. I’ve done little sewing so I knew this was going to be a bit of a challenge. It was. However, I loved working with wood and all of the tools: drill press, power tools, hand drills, and my personal favorite, the industrial lathe tool we used to create metal posts. I enjoyed sewing the caterpillar but the stitches along the edges drove me batty (and I’m sure Daniel too). But. Now I know I can actually sew these stitches and maybe even begin to understand Keith Smith’s instructions on the same.

The covers were created using wood covered with handmade crumpled flax paper made by Bookmakers Inc.. Covers were painted with layers of milk paint, sanded to reveal the layers, and then waxed with shoe polish to add luster.

One of my favorite students in the class was the high school woodshop teacher who volunteered his beautiful and well equipped classroom for our workshop. He had no bookmaking experience and created a wonderful book with patience and good humor.

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My daughter is a web designer extraordinaire. She designed this WordPress website to provide a public space for my book arts. The site has a blog option. Early on I posted a few things and after I messed up some of my daughter’s wonderful work I didn’t get back to the blog. Well, Hello iPad WordPress App!!! It’s such a treat because the application is simplified (OK. Knowing some HTML helps) and that makes it so easy to restart my brief blogging career.

I’ve made books for about 15 years and this particular field of art has taken me places I wouldn’t have imagined when I graduated from college with a mathematics degree. I taught for 25 years and as soon as I retired I took my first drawing class. I continue to take classes that have anything to do with the art of making books: woodworking, surface design, structures, papermaking, metal work, journaling. I find that making or reading books permeates so much of my life that writing about them is like writing a diary of my life.

I will start with my wonderful studio, formerly my office. This art making space has been years in the making. My husband built cabinets and large shelves for paper, my brother-in-law was the electrician who rewired for better lighting, and I bought the fabulous worktop/desk from a friend who was moving. I am starting to use more wood in my books and the drill press, compound miter saw, and miniature lumber yard are all in the garage. I discovered that I prefer standing up to work and all tools are readily accessible. The studio is lacking a door but I may draw a line on the floor at the entrance—like Les Nesbitt of WKRP Cincinnati. The studio is one of my favorite places to be.

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I had a three day workshop coming up with Daniel Essig so I thought it might be a good idea to assemble another book using the coptic stitch—hoping my fingers would remember what to do. I used scrap wood from my recycled wood stash (from my husband and his woodworking friends) and thought I would sew the book with one type of stitch, then cut those out and try another type of stitch. As usually happens, I got way more involved with the project than intended and ended up with a nice little book. The sunflower is a heat transfer with color smudged into the wood. The little metal frame is glued on with scientific jargon underneath. I am sending the book to a dear friend and her name and mine is burned into the inside back cover. I can always find more wood….

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toolkit

Every book artist has their favorite tools for cutting, folding, and gluing paper. The tools pictured are some of the basics that you will need in most workshops.

  1. Metal Ruler: Cutting tools can cut into wooden and plastic rulers and damage the straight edge.
  2. Cutting Mat: These come in all sizes. The one above is a self-healing mat that doesn’t damage the blade of your cutting tool and is useful for small pieces of paper. Some people use cutting mats designed for quilters. In a pinch, you can use an old phonebook to cut on.
  3. Cutting Tool: I prefer the type pictured above—they have blades that snap off when they get dull. Big box cutting tools can damage your mats. I also have a scalpel I use for precision cutting.
  4. Small Scissors: These need to have pointed tips to make precision cuts.
  5. Bone Folder: The one above is the most common shape. They are useful for pressing folds in your papers. In a pinch, a dull straight surface such as a flat edged wooden spoon will work.
  6. Sharp Pencil: You will need to make accurate marks with thin lead. If you do not have a mechanical pencil bring a pencil sharpener with your pencil.
  7. Glue Stick: This adhesive is fine for beginning book artists. Some are archival and they don’t add a lot of moisture to your paper (which tends to warp it). Double-sided tape is also good.
  8. Bookbinder’s Awl: These awls have an angled point with a straight shaft. They are used for piercing sections in preparation for sewing.

To purchase these supplies, use this Resource List for local and online stores.