Paris - The Bookbinder's Tour

These are the bookbinding highlights of my three day trip to Paris in April.  Yes, I did the usual things and saw the sights you have to see when in Paris but I also had a chance to enjoy the bookbinding side of the city.  First stop, The Louvre with their exhibit, open through June 11th, Livre/Louvre.  An interesting and interactive look at how reading stimulates the mind.

Next stop, Musée de Cluny, the museum of Medieval Paris.  The highlight of the museum are the Unicorn Tapestries.  However, for a bookbinder, this hand painted fencing book  is a work of art.

On the last day in the city my husband Eric and I visited Relma, the family-owned bookbinding supply company.  They have a huge selection of papers, leathers and tools.  I was thrilled to discover that they employ a Scottish manager, Alison (on the right), saving me the embarrassment of attempting to order supplies in French. Plus I lived in Scotland many years ago and have a special place in my heart for all things Scottish!

My favorite purchase is this double pass, hand marbled paper.  It was marbled with one pattern, dried and then marbled on top of the first pattern with a second pattern.   I can't wait to make extra special books with this paper.

Last Coptic Class

I tried something new for me this Winter and taught a five week Coptic Bookbinding class. What is coptic binding you might ask? It is an ancient bookbinding technique that was developed in Egypt in the 4th century. The cover is sewn directly onto the signatures of the book and the spine is exposed. The thread becomes a design element in the binding.

Ten students came to class every week for 2 1/2 hours. I was impressed with how quickly they picked up this tricky bookbinding form. Everyone finished at least one book with one student completing six!

This one has covers made from wood veneer with an old book cover printed on the cover.

I like the complimentary bindings in this colorful paper.

All metallics! This dynamic duo took the class as a date night - great idea.

Great colors!

I like the design of the covers on these.

Live - from the Middle East!

In April of 2009 I was contacted by the Alhurra Network about a piece on my bookbinding for their Almajalla show. Alhurra is an Arabic language T.V. station, funded by the U.S. Congress, that broadcasts to the Middle East. The all female crew descended upon my small basement studio and went into full production mode. It was amazing what they did in such a cramped space.

I am thrilled with the results. The how-to section is my personal favorite - watch me fast forward through the bookmaking process. I was particularly impressed with the Associate Producer of the piece, Nasreen Alkateeb. Her amazing artwork can be found on her website.

My part of the show starts at minute 13:00.

Vintage Green Road Plates

Thanks to the keen thrifting eye of my friend Katie, of See Katie Sew fame, I was able to make these large journals out of green LEGO® road plates. The plates are no longer available for sale so these will be available while supplies last!

All the journals in the road plate series come with a LEGO® car to add to the fun.

Yes, I will be bringing these to Crafty Bastards!

Summer Digressions

To me these buttons represent the fun and fascinating twists and turns I take as part of my creative process. I picked them up thrifting with my friend See Katie Sew. They sit on my workbench and tempt me to come up with a fun and creative way too incorporate them into my work. A Langstitch/Kettenstitch binding with a button accent on the spine? A book with a button closure?

Sometimes things that I purchase for inspiration sit for years before I actually put them to use. I usually come up with something eventually! Feel free to share any ideas you have for them....

Packaging with Purpose

I have long felt my packaging is functional but uninspiring. This was brought home to me when I recently received a pair of packages that were quite inspiring! The first one was from Scarlet Robin, a fellow etsy seller I met while vending at the Fenton Street Market.


The package is chock full of items: my gorgeous custom made ring in a box adorned with her terrific logo, a thank you card (on Crane paper!) , a discount coupon for my next purchase, a jewelry cleaning kit and a business card. The package showed me that she is thankful for my purchase, wants me to take good care of my ring and is interested in repeat customers.


This bountiful treasure came from the shop of crafter and blogger extrodinaire Meaghan. I purchased two pairs of earrings in her summer close-out sale. As you can see, I received so much more! There is the fabulous hand embroidered cubicle art and an extra pin - totally unexpected. The shipping envelope was also decorated adding to the fun.


This is what I have put together to try and spice up my own packaging. A few items from Paperwink like this custom made stamp and the fun Japanese colored masking tape. I also dug up and old thank you stamp and a fun green stamp pad. Next up eco-friendly packaging (when I get rid of the bulk order I placed when I started my business) and Gocco printed thank you notes. I'm getting there.

Ballston Arts & Crafts Market

I am very excited to participate in my first Ballston Arts & Crafts Market this Saturday, June 12th, from 10 A.M. to 4 P.M. I will be in booth #11 next to Valerie of Holland-Cox fame. Here are some of her fun tissue holders. She has fabulous purses, clutches and other sewn wonders.

My friend Penelope of Penelope Designs will be in booth #34 with her button jewelry and knit creations. Stop by and have a look!