Past Workshops

These past workshops are listed by date – from more current to older workshops. I taught these workshops for OLLI (Osher Life Long Learning Institute) students in Humboldt County, California. OLLI is an important educational force and builder of community for seniors in our area To learn more about OLLI use this link: https://extended.humboldt.edu/olli

Please join me along with the OLLI Book Arts community as we make this fun little book. Students will pick one of the many variations available using this structure –  from beginning to more advanced choices! Show off some of your hand decorated papers from your collection and choose papers for writing, drawing, or watercolor.

OLLI HUMBOLDT STATE, SPRING 2017

Book Arts: The Buttonhole Stitch Book With Michele Olsen

Embroiderers use the buttonhole stitch to decorate fabric; book artists use it to attach pages to the book spine. The technique results in a open spine structure that reveals individual sections and provides many creative possibilities for the paper artist and book designer. We will explore variations of the structure — beginning to more advanced. All levels welcome.

Day & Date: Tues., March 28 & Thurs., March 30

Time: 1-4 p.m.

Fee: OLLI Members $65

Class #: 27649: REGISTER ONLINE

Location: Humboldt Bay Aquatic Center

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Learn the basics about the tools, materials, and techniques required to make your own books. A survey of current book arts programs and book artists will be sure to inspire you. You will practice all of your new skills in this clever little structure. The single section is sewn using the simple pamphlet stitch. There is no stitching visible on the spine! The materials are provided and the text block contains information and techniques being taught in the course.

Bring to class: Cutting mat (or old phone book), small utility knife, small sharp scissors, metal ruler, sharp pencil, bone folder (or small wooden spoon), glue stick, bookbinder’s awl (or T-pin).

Day & Date: Thursday, Feb. 1, 2018

Time:  1:00 p.m. to 4 p.m.

Location: Humboldt Bay Aquatic Center

Register Here: Osher Lifelong Learning Institute

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OLLI Book Arts: Judge a Book by Its Cover with Michele Olsen

Create your own personal journal by using the covers from an old book. The spine will be replaced with book cloth made in class and sections of the book will be sewn using the easy long stitch pattern.  This technique can be used with just about anything for covers.

Bring to class:

Basic Toolkit: cutting mat, small utility knife, metal ruler, bookbinder’s awl, embroidery thread or linen thread, size 20 or 22 tapestry needle, PVA glue, glue brush, sharp pencil, baby wipes, sewing cradle (or phonebook), bone folder.

Materials: an old book with interesting covers (about 5 ” x 7″ would be best), favorite text weight papers, decorative papers, a strip of fabric for the spine (2-3″ wide and 2 inches taller than the height of your book), button for a closure.

Prerequisite: Book Arts: The Basics or previous instruction in book arts. Level: Beginner.

Day & Date: Saturday, Feb. 20

Time: 9 a.m.-1 p.m.

Fee: OLLI Members $50

Class #: 27851: REGISTER ONLINE

Location: Humboldt Bay Aquatic Center