VT Book Arts Guild “MailB.A.G.” April 2009
Next Meeting:
Wednesday May 6, 6:30 p.m. – 8:30 p.m.
Enter by side door: Punch in the new winter code (contact us for code). When the green light glows, pull open the door.
$5.00 voluntary contribution to Burlington City Arts for their education programs. (Remember, if you write a check, it can be evidence for a tax deductible contribution.)
Program: Iris Folding Techniques & Bookmaking workshop by Jill Abilock
I’m always on the hunt for new techniques to add pizzazz to my journals, cards, and other projects. Browsing the papercraft section of a bookstore one day, a book on Iris Folding jumped into my hands, and I knew it was a must-have. The spiraling, layered designs of folded paper in the book were rich and intricate, but I could tell from the directions that they would also be fun and easy to make.
Once I got started, I was hooked! Over time I’ve found that Iris Folding is as versatile and adaptable as it is beautiful and fun — in addition to origami paper and scrapbook sheets, Iris Folding can be done with any easily folded material, including glossy magazine pages and stiffened fabric. I have also applied the technique to everything from Christmas ornaments (made with laminated wrapping paper) and mobile components (made with holographic paper) to earrings and other jewelry (made with ribbon).
The program for the May meeting will include a hands-on workshop in which we’ll create two beautiful cards using basic Iris folding techniques. I’ll also share some of the items I’ve made in various media using Iris Folding techniques, and invite anyone who’s used this technique to share their creations, too.
I will provide the cardstock, templates and paper strips for making the cards.
Please bring the following tools and materials:
- Ruler
- Craft (X-Acto) knife
- Cutting mat
- Scissors
- Bone folder
- Pencil
- Glue stick or other preferred glue (the less messy, the better)
- Double-sided tape
- Non-permanent adhesive putty or removable tape (such as masking or painter’s tape)
- Embossing stylus (in a pinch if you don’t have one you can use a ball-point pen that has run out of ink)
- Paper and other decorative materials to embellish your cards
- Awl (a needle or pin will do in a pinch)
Announcing a new Summer Book Arts Workshop
The Book Arts Guild of Vermont presents Unbinding the Visual Journal, a one-day workshop with Jane Davies.
Date: Saturday July 18, 2009
Time: 9:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.
Location: Williston Federated Church, Fellowship Hall, Williston, VT
Directions: Located on Rte 2 in Williston village between Richmond and Williston’s Taft Corners. (It’s the white steeple seen from I-89.) Parking is behind the church and also across the street near the recreation path.
Cost: $50 (Payment due in full with registration to reserve a spot!)
Meals: Please bring your own bag lunch and drinks. (You can also bring optional afternoon snacks to share.)
Materials: Materials list will be supplied with registration confirmation
Jane Davies on Unbinding the Visual Journal:
Like many creative mixed-media enthusiasts, I LOVE the idea of visual journaling. I look at other artists’ journals and think ‘oh, I could do that,’ or ‘I wish I had thought of that.’ But when it comes to actually using one of my handmade books, or even a store bought art journal, I get The Blank Page syndrome. After years of wrestling with my seeming inability to find a satisfying approach, I came up with a way to make a visual journal that solves the Blank Page Problem. I call it my “unbound collage folios” journal because you begin by creating random collages on unbound folios, and then assemble them into a book. Each page spread offers something that you can respond to. Collage, write, paint, sew, cut, tear, draw – anything you can think of. There are no mistakes and no blank pages! This workshop takes you through the process of unbinding your visual journaling, resulting in a beautiful handmade collage book.
For further information or to receive a hard copy registration form, please contact Jill Abilock: jabilock[at]japanlink-trans[dot]com or (802) 735-1443
Reflection on the April meeting: “Books and Fiber Art”, by Sally Knight, B.A.G. member.
Sally shared some personal history and examples of art quilts and fabric jewelry that came during her life as a professional fiber artist from 1989 through 2003. Her exquisite craftsmanship and joyful use of fabric continued to be evident in her work as it evolved into 3-dimensional constructions and artist’s books. During that time of exploration, she experimented with techniques and adhesives that led to helpful discoveries which she shared with us. Soon we were led to create a complex interlocking book structure made of paper, based on Claire Van Vliet’s design. With Sally’s thoughtful guidance and hand-outs, everyone met the challenge to complete the book in the limited meeting time. Thank you so much, Sally!
Upcoming Programs:
- June: Personal Journey as Book Artist by Carolyn Shattuck
- July: Pending; also the Jane Davies workshop
- August: Pending; likely Elissa Campbell’s book arts web resources program
- September: Designed Bindings by Rebecca Coll
- October: Possibly sharing books for art exhibit
- November: Pending
- December: Annual Ethnic Potluck with Swap & Sale
- January: Sharing of challenges, projects & resources
Member news:
*** Nancy Stone’s solo show Power of Nuance will be held at the Emile A. Gruppe Gallery from April 1 – May 17.
The gallery is located at 22 Barber Farm Road, just outside of Jericho Village, about 20 minutes from Burlington. Hours are 10-3 Thursday through Sunday or by appointment. Watercolor paintings on Yupo paper and hand-made books will be featured. Also, visit Nancy’s studio to see artist’s books and paintings during the VT Crafts Council Open Studio Weekend, Memorial Day weekend, Saturday May 23rd-Sunday May 24th 10-5.
Book Arts News:
*** Carol Barton has issued a new (& wondrous) update to her website: www.popularkinetics.com. Check out the amazing kinetic animal that walks on beaches!
*** The Bonefolder e-journal volume 5 is available at http://www.philobiblon.com/bonefolder/. Wonderful site!
Book Arts Learning Opportunities:
*** Susan Bonthron B.A.G. member, writes:
Hello, Book Arts Fans, It’s been a long winter. But spring is crawling toward us (or we toward it) and I’m looking forward to seeing some of you here. My website is in the process of being updated, and will soon feature Schoolhouse Number 10 (our newly restored 18th century 2 BR schoolhouse on the property) for rent by those coming from far off, with a discount on classes at the bindery if you’re interested.
In other news: First, I am putting together a possible 5-day workshop in Deer Isle, Maine during the first week of August (perhaps 8/3 to 8/7, not yet set in stone, but that’s the target time frame). I will have openings for only 5 or 6 students. I am trying to keep the total cost very low. We would occupy a beautiful old 19th century house on the water with five bedrooms, some doubles. We would share cooking. This is not for the luxury minded — but that’s why it can be so inexpensive. We will make paste paper, create a beautiful coptic-bound journal, make a field journal, and possibly explore a few other forms depending on the weather. We’ll wander all over Deer Isle finding gorgeous things to paint and draw. We will be very close to Haystack, so we can visit it to see what all the artists are up to. I am trying to keep the cost under $600 TOTAL. As you can imagine, 5 days in Deer Isle in August would normally cost much more than that just for a room, let alone a workshop!Anyone interested? If so, please get back to me as soon as you can; I suspect places will go quickly.
Now as to local offerings at Otter Pond Bindery, here’s what I am thinking of offering this spring:
- Paste paper and luminaria
- Paper marbling
- Pop-up books
- Chitsu with Japanese side-bound journal
- Double-bind workshop (3 two-section books in a box)
If you are interested in classes not on this list, please tell me. As usual, when I have heard from enough of you I will post a schedule on my website and let you know it’s there.Please note my new Email address, in case you didn’t receive my email this winter: susan.bonthron@gmail.com. I look forward to hearing from you.
Susan Bonthron
Book Arts Instructor
Otter Pond Bindery
108 S. Belden Hill Rd.
Guilford, VT 05301
(802)257-0003
susan.bonthron@gmail.com
www.otterpondbindery.com
*** Mark Wangberg will be teaching Book Arts at “a WONDERFUL program for teachers” at the New Hampshire Institute of Art the last week of June — it’s a great deal if you can still get into the classes! Check them out online! You get to take one class in the a.m. and one in p.m. June 21-26, with room & many meals included at a VERY reasonable price… Also, he will be teaching a Main Line Art Center / U-Arts collaboration for teachers — Non-Traditional Book Arts July 13-17 and Portfolio Preparation for Students July 27-31. The classes will be at Haverford High School for 3 Graduate Credits.
Mark Wangberg
916 S. Providence Rd.Wallingford, PA 19086
610-662-9453 Cell
markwangberg@comcast.net
*** The Garage Annex School, Inc., is a small yet quality-driven book arts educational endeavor: www.GarageAnnexSchool.com. We offer a range of programs some of which have fixed curriculums (e.g., workshops) and others which have customized curriculums.
We had hoped to begin our Summer Institute program this year (a six- week leather bookbinding intensive) but we find that interested parties can’t come up with the funds in this economy. In lieu of the Institute we hope to welcome a small group of private students who will be able to focus on the subject(s) of their choice, and who can come study here for a period of one to six weeks. From June 22 until July 31 we can arrange for students to stay in the comfortable residential housing of nearby Williston-Northampton School.
Thank you,
Daniel E. Kelm
Garage Annex School, Inc.
One Cottage Street #5, Room 5-03
Easthampton, MA 01027
(413) 527-8044
(413) 529-0071 fax
daniel@garageannexschool.com
*** If you have a website and/or blog that showcases your creative work, we’d love to share it on the member links page of the B.A.G. blog. Send an Email with the details to Tech Schmoe Elissa Campbell: erscampbell[at]hotmail[dot]com.
Book Arts Guild of VT chat room: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/BookArtsGuildVT
Book Arts Guild of VT blog: http://bookartsguildvt.wordpress.com
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