Any book can be put in a slipcase or a box to make it even more elegant.
We have another book from the Book-in-a-Box class (see posts from November 10, August 18, 2014). Local artist Becky Evans started her book in the class and finished it during her artist’s residency in Summer Lake, Oregon. Take a look at the website for Playa and you will see the influence of place on this wonderful book. The title of the book? PLAYA. Becky is a gifted local artist and former art professor at College of the Redwoods.
Thank you students for sending photos of your completed books. As always, your “take” on the structure is unique and creative. You inspire me!
I love making books; teaching others to do the same is just icing on the cake. It is inspiring to be in the same room with creative, capable, and enthusiastic students. The following photos will illustrate some of the work that went into making this type of book as well many of the ideas that students contributed. Enjoy.
These are papers I created out of masking paper (used for taping windows in preparation for painting) and acrylic paint. The paper perfect for covering boxes as it’s thin, pliable, and fairly strong.
We used 0.059″ thick standard book board to create a box and the hinged cover. We experimented with PVA Jade-Thick from Hollanders. It was great for these small boxes because it is very tacky.
While the boxes dried we created a hinged cover. This particular technique is useful for all kinds of artist books. Boards were glued then applied to the wrong side of the paper. Rather than burnishing the right side we pressed the paper to the board to encourage wrinkles and texture.
Covering the boxes was next.
There was much variation in colors. Some decided to add more color and brought their acrylics…….
…..and acrylic enhancements. Check out “Products” on Golden’s website to see the many products available along with their uses.
Then the real fun begins—getting ready to add our own miniature components to the book.
The strip of decorated Arches 90 HP watercolor paper was next. Each had her own idea of what to add to the book. These were folded like an accordion and will be attached to the inside front cover.
This book is almost finished. The thread needs to be trimmed and a slot added to hold the accordion fold. What a delight! The upper shelf holds miniature books and the accordion fold holds quotes about books.
Great job everyone. Working with you and your ideas is a treat in many ways. PS. Thanks for the real treats for our long work session today.
Busy hands….busy place.
It’s getting to be that time again. OLLI Fall 2014 semester starts next week and I have a two day course you might be interested in taking. This is a wonderful box/book structure that fits in your hands. When the cover is opened the accordion book folds open; the book can be displayed in the open or closed position. This particular book is a celebration of my sister and her love of horses. I created the papers at a Randi Parkhurst workshop. Photoshop was used to size and print a photo of my sister in full-fledged cowgirl regalia. The closure has a vintage button with a silver horse and beads on linen thread.
“All horses, at least once in their lives, should be loved by a little girl.”
INFORMATION FROM THE OLLI CATALOG:
Book Arts: Book-in-a-Box
Create a custom box to encase your handmade book. Learn the basics of making and covering boxes, then create a simple book to place in the box. Boxes protect the book, but can also be an integral part of the book. They can hold small treasures that further enhance the theme of your book.
Basic Toolkit: Cutting mat, cutting knife, metal ruler, sharp pencil, bookmaker’s awl, bone folder, small sharp scissors, wet wipes, old telephone book, small glue brush, PVA (Art Center or Ellis Engineering). Additional materials will be provided. ($5 materials fee)
date ………. Tues./Thurs., Aug. 26 & 28
time ………. 1-4 p.m.
fee ………. Members $55/non-members $80 (47526)
place ………. Humboldt Bay Aquatic Center (HBAC)
instr ………. Michele Olsen
Thank you Ellen Golla for the wonderful photos of the book. Thanks also to Nancy Holley for teaching me this structure.
