work procedure & front page goodness
The question "how do you work?" was recently posed within our Bookbinding Team. Everyone has their own way of working, and the trick is to find a method that best suits you. I make books one at a time, so I only have one book going at any given time. However, I prepare each part of the book aforetime in batches.
For example, I'll spend the better part of one day just sizing and cutting leather for various journals (enough to make, say, 10-15 books). The next day I'll spend my time ripping paper and getting text blocks prepared. Once that's all prepped, and I have all parts assembled, I will start to make the books one at a time.
I like working like this because I can then focus on a single task at hand; once I get "in the zone" of a particular task, I work much more effectively and rapidly, without having to change over to a different task. So it's been an order of production that's really worked well for me. I make anywhere from 2-6 books a day, depending on my schedule and how I feel.
As for how I organize my workspace I have an office where I cut all my leather and prepare my text block, however, I assemble all my books in the comfort of my livingroom. I will often watch TV or a favourite period drama as I make my books - it makes the binding process even more enjoyable.
In other news, one of my journals made Etsy's front page yesterday. Thanks for the heads up, Elzeline!
For example, I'll spend the better part of one day just sizing and cutting leather for various journals (enough to make, say, 10-15 books). The next day I'll spend my time ripping paper and getting text blocks prepared. Once that's all prepped, and I have all parts assembled, I will start to make the books one at a time.
I like working like this because I can then focus on a single task at hand; once I get "in the zone" of a particular task, I work much more effectively and rapidly, without having to change over to a different task. So it's been an order of production that's really worked well for me. I make anywhere from 2-6 books a day, depending on my schedule and how I feel.
As for how I organize my workspace I have an office where I cut all my leather and prepare my text block, however, I assemble all my books in the comfort of my livingroom. I will often watch TV or a favourite period drama as I make my books - it makes the binding process even more enjoyable.
In other news, one of my journals made Etsy's front page yesterday. Thanks for the heads up, Elzeline!
new books and a feature
How is everyone? Autumn is upon us. We're back from our long autumn camping trip which we really enjoyed and now it's back to work again.'
First off I just found out my Jane Eyre handbound leather journal is being featured on BronteBlog in their merchandise section. How neat is that!
Things here are going well. I've been busy filling quite a few custom orders, but I had a little time today to work on some new books for my shop. Having fun with some new colour combinations and variations on closures. Here they be:
First off I just found out my Jane Eyre handbound leather journal is being featured on BronteBlog in their merchandise section. How neat is that!
Things here are going well. I've been busy filling quite a few custom orders, but I had a little time today to work on some new books for my shop. Having fun with some new colour combinations and variations on closures. Here they be:
Featured at Poppytalk Handmade
My shop is featured at Poppytalk Handmade from Oct. 13-Nov. 14.
Come visit me. :)
www.poppytalkhandmade.com/gallery63
Etsy Storque feature - Bookbinding Team
Yay! The Bookbinding Esty Street Team (BEST), of which I'm honored to be a member, is currently being featured on an Etsy's Storque spotlight. BEST members are bookbinders on Etsy from all over the world. Take a look at the feature here:
turquoise love
I absolutely *love* turquoise, and so I just had to incorporate it into one of my journals...and the result? My favorite closure yet! The turquoise spike is stunning against the brown leather.
This would be a great book to take along with you on a trip to the library or some quiet place where you can sit, read, dream and write.
It measures approximately 5½" x 4¼" x 1½" thick, with a generous 320 pages (both sides) of blank white 28lb. quality writing paper, acid-free with handtorn edges. It opens completely flat so you can write/draw all the way into the margins.
The leather is a beautiful and rugged looking warm brown cowhide that has a distressed antique look. The hearty binding is handstitched with dark brown beeswaxed Irish linen thread. The book is kept securely closed with a lovely turquoise spike (securely sewn through holes in the spike), tucked into a leather loop on the cover flap — a sturdy, closure that is really eye-catching!
Now available at my shop: lapaperie.etsy.com
EDIT (09/19/2008): This journal has sold in a local sale, but stay tuned for later as I'll be adding more with a similar closure.
This would be a great book to take along with you on a trip to the library or some quiet place where you can sit, read, dream and write.
It measures approximately 5½" x 4¼" x 1½" thick, with a generous 320 pages (both sides) of blank white 28lb. quality writing paper, acid-free with handtorn edges. It opens completely flat so you can write/draw all the way into the margins.
The leather is a beautiful and rugged looking warm brown cowhide that has a distressed antique look. The hearty binding is handstitched with dark brown beeswaxed Irish linen thread. The book is kept securely closed with a lovely turquoise spike (securely sewn through holes in the spike), tucked into a leather loop on the cover flap — a sturdy, closure that is really eye-catching!
Now available at my shop: lapaperie.etsy.com
EDIT (09/19/2008): This journal has sold in a local sale, but stay tuned for later as I'll be adding more with a similar closure.
Interviewed
I've been interviewed by Sarah, proprietor of The Beaded Lily Etsy shop, at her lovely and informative blog Sketchbook: http://thebeadedlily.blogspot.com Thanks Sarah! :)
In other news, the in-laws' 2-week visit with us from The Netherlands is over and now it's back to work again. Although I did a bit of binding while they were here, I really put a lot on the backburner. So now it's time to restock the shop, and work on some custom orders as well.
The Back To School Market on Poppytalk went really well. I enjoyed every second of it. I will definitely be interested in participating in future markets!
In other news, the in-laws' 2-week visit with us from The Netherlands is over and now it's back to work again. Although I did a bit of binding while they were here, I really put a lot on the backburner. So now it's time to restock the shop, and work on some custom orders as well.
The Back To School Market on Poppytalk went really well. I enjoyed every second of it. I will definitely be interested in participating in future markets!
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