On Saturday I took advantage of a sunny afternoon and drove down to the Purbecks to visit Corfe Castle as I'm showing some work in The Boilerhouse Gallery for Purbeck Art Weeks.
Shop Dorset - the one stop directory for everything good that's made in Dorset - is hosting a giveaway of a pair of my Lemon & Pink Mini Journals. Click the link to enter before the end of June. Thanks to Lindsay at Shop Dorset!
And if you can't wait or don't want to leave it to fate, you can also buy these and more super colourful, cheerful handmade leather Mini Journals here.
NEW GIVEAWAY! This month, Shop Dorset are offering a pair of colourful Mini Journals as an exquisite giveaway gift...
Posted by Shop Dorset on Thursday, 4 June 2015
Weeks 4 & 5 were given over to the Longstitch with Linkstitch, the binding I most frequently use thanks to it's versatility, flexibility, strength and the opportunity it provides to make the most of exquisite leather. It's a 15th century limp leather German binding and is a delight to make. Here's an example:
Seems like everyone REALLY enjoyed learning this binding and lots have chosen to make it again next week in the Personal Project session to end the course. Here are some of the lovely books participants made:
I thoroughly enjoyed sharing this binding with you all and it was a joy to see all the fabulous colour combinations you chose. Well done, everyone - it's not the easiest of bindings and you all did really well!
See you next week - don't forget to bring all the books you've made so far on this course for a mass photo session, also your relevant worksheets & materials if you're bringing your own.
Susan
In week 3 of my bookbinding evening class we made paperback notebooks and sketchbooks using the pamphlet stitch with both one signature, and two. Here's some I made earlier:
And here are the books participants made during the workshop:
We covered some new terminology, including sheets, folios and signatures, and we we also looked at how the Pamphlet Stitch can be combined with bindings from Week 1, Folded Forms.
Stitching through the fold of each signature will hopefully prepare us for the next two weeks' work on the Longstitch binding, where participants can choose leather or vegan synthetic PU to make a Medieval journal or sketchbook. Exciting!
If these blog posts have inspired you to want to make books, you can join me on my Autumn evening class which starts in September at Artisan Community Art Studio in Moordown, Dorset and costs £80 for 6 weeks, or email me if you'd like to be notified when I start offering PDF tutorials for sale - my summer project is to turn my class worksheets in to downloadable instructions so you can learn at your own pace, in your own home, wherever you are.
Happy binding,
Susan
This week we looked at single sheet bindings, in particular Yotsume-Toji, more commonly known as the Japanese Stab Stitch. Single sheet binding are great for binding your own artwork or prints, as flip books or diaries. Don't forget that 15mm of the page is lost along the spine edge, so bear this in mind when planning your designs.
A sturdy awl is a must! The Japanese make the most amazing bookbinding tools. The slender one below is an example. For comfort, I often use the English awl which has a wooden handle that's a lot easier on the palm of the hand!
This is a book I made as an example to show the class, recycling a page from a magazine to cover the back board:
Our session at Artisan Community Art Studio went well, with everyone making a beautiful book to take home! It was really fun seeing the results of 8 different people's decisions on materials; from traditional bookcloth and marbled papers, to wrapping paper featuring a map of Paris and recycled art journal pages. The designs and colour combinations were very impressive and here are some pictures:
Thank you to everyone who came and for letting me share pictures of your work. See you next week!
Susan
Visit Word. Paper. Book: an exhibition and exploration of the power of words, the possibilities of paper and the potential of books at The Workhouse Chapel in Sturminster Newton, Dorset from 29 May to 14 June.
The exhibition promises to be a wonderful insight into all the possibilities text, paper and various book forms provide in the hands of artists with wide-ranging practises. I'll be exhibiting so you can see, handle and buy my books in person.
You can also join me in the inspiring and comfortable surroundings of Rose Hatcher's beautifully converted chapel on Thursday the 11th June for a bookbinding workshop on the Yotsume-Toji, the Japanese Stab Stitch binding, where you'll make and take home your very own journal / sketchbook. Please book directly with Rose at The Workhouse Chapel - details below.
I look forward to seeing you there!
Susan
Just one week until my bookbinding evening class starts! Are you coming? Bring yourself, a few pieces of silver for the tea and biscuit tin, and any interesting papers you might want to use.
We'll be looking at folded book forms in week 1, including the Turkish Map Fold, the Double Gatefold, The Accordion and the Hot Dog. We'll discuss developing their basic forms, incorporating them into other bindings and adding content to make Artist's Books.
If you need a reminder of timings, how to get there, etc please look here. And in the meantime, check out my Pinterest to see some examples of how book artists are using these folded forms.
See you there! We start at 7 so arrive a few minutes early to get settled in.
Susan
P.S If you missed out on the Spring course, I'm running it again in September.
Don't forget Mother's Day on the 15th of March. Here are some gift suggestions.
Mini Journals are a bright and cheerful sweet little token of affection
Paperback Notebooks £10 set of 2
Previously Sale and Ready To Ship journals, sketchbooks, guest and memory books were hard to find, but now they have a quick link so you'll know exactly what you can get, for what price, and when. Browse the new collections now using the 'Shop' button at the top of the page.
I've just launched a fresh new collection of bright and bold Mini Journals for Spring 2015. Hand bound in the most gorgeously tactile fair-trade goatskin, they're a great little luxe gift for Mother's and Father's Day, birthdays large and small, add to place settings on Easter Sunday, secret away for treasure hunts and use as wedding favours on your big day. Choose from 8 different colour ways. They're just £10 each and ship worldwide.
SHOP THE NEW COLLECTION NOW --->
They're just £10 each and I ship worldwide. Happy (almost) Spring!
Susan
My Travel Journals are featured in Condé Nast Traveller, the UK's leading travel magazine. Check out the Gold Standard February edition for their all-time favourite destinations and their guide to what's hot in 2015
These luxurious yet practical leather journals open with a travel-themed quotation to set the tone of your adventures. Each page has a space to record the date and location, and at the back of the book you'll find a reassuring In Case Of Emergency section to record personal, medical and legal information including next of kin contact details.There are 192 pages of cartridge paper which will take all pens and pencils, dry-medium artwork and glued inclusions such as ticket stubs, postcards, photographs and so
Shop the range of Travel Journals now:
Travel Journal: Blue "Explore. Dream. Discover" - Mark Twain
Tavel Journal: Tan "Not All Those Who Wander Are Lost" - JRR Tolkien
Travel Journal: Green "A Journey Is Best Measured in Friends" - Tim Cahill
Alternatively use my Bespoke Service to select your choice of leather and thread colours. Just email info@boundbyhand.co.uk to ask for your perfect, personalised journal.
My thanks to Fiona Maynard and Condé Nast Traveller. Magazine images copyright Condé Nast Traveller 2015.
Susan
UPDATE: The Spring course is fully booked, but I will be running it again in the Autumn, on Thursday evenings starting 10th September, all the details are as below. Please book early to avoid disappointment!
I'll be teaching a 6 week Bookbinding evening class on Thursdays 7-9 pm starting 30th April at Artisan Community Art Studio, Moordown in Dorset. There is space for just 8 participants, so please book early. Booking details are below.
Is it for me? The course is suitable for beginners or those with a little experience. If you enjoy making and working with your hands, want to make your own notebooks, or are curious about how to bind your own writing or artwork, this course is for you. You are welcome to come if you've previously attended the one-day bookbinding course run by myself and Laura Joy. I will be revisiting some of the bindings you made then as well as introducing you to new book forms, so it's a great opportunity to finesse your skills and expand your creative practice.
What will I be doing? you’ll make folded and sewn book forms including softcover and hardcover bindings you can use as a journal, sketchbook, portfolio or display album. You'll be working in a friendly atmosphere with others who want to learn, to share knowledge and skills and enjoy.
What shall I bring? I provide all tools, although you are welcome to bring your own favourites. Materials will be provided, but please also bring your own interesting papers to cover your books, such as quality wrapping paper, your own artwork, plant fibre paper, pages from old magazines, maps & books (the larger the better, but bring what you have and we can discuss what you might like to use during the course).
Where? Artisan Community Art Studio, 1005 Wimborne Road, Moordown, Bournemouth BH9 2BS. Known as 'First Point Plus', the venue is opposite the Holly Tree Pub - please come down the slope, entrance on the right.
Date: Thursdays, commencing April 30th
Time: 7-9 pm (please arrive 5-10 minutes early for a prompt start).
Cost: £60 for six 2 hour sessions. Please note the Autumn course is £80 as it will run an extra half hour per week, from 6:30 - 9 pm.
Getting there by car: limited parking is available to the rear of the venue, drive down the slope, past the entrance on the right and continue around the back. Blue Badge holders can park next to the venue's entrance on the right. Further on-street parking is available.
Getting there by bus: routes 4 and 2, alternatively route number 5 bus stops are 10 minutes walk away.
Facilities: Toilets are available in the venue and tea / coffee making facilities within the workshop. The venue is wheelchair-accessible.
To book: download the booking form (workshop title is Bookbinding Evening Class) and return it to Pauline Stanley who runs the venue. Alternatively call Pauline on 07729 829 209 or email paulinelstanley@icloud.com
I look forward to seeing you there!
Susan
