by Elissa | Feb 7, 2020 | B.A.G. Meetings, bookbinding, Exhibitions, Lecture, MailB.A.G., Member News, Vermont, Workshops
Next Meeting: Wednesday, February 12, 2020, 6:30 p.m. – 8:30 p.m.
We meet at the Unitarian Universalist Society Church located at 152 Pearl Street in Burlington, VT. We will be in the Sophia Fahs Community Room, a large room located in the basement. Click here for more information on directions/parking.
Welcome to According to Accordions!
Often underestimated, the accordion book has more to it than meets the eye. This structure provides endless possibilities for construction, and multiple options for display and presentation. In our February meeting, we will continue with our multi-meeting exploration of the accordion book structure.
Prepare to be inspired by the versatility and potential of accordions!
Program: According to Accordions, Part 2 – Star Books with Becky Boardman
At the next B.A.G. meeting, Becky Boardman will be teaching us how to make Star/Carousel books. This structure uses accordion folds that are “nested”, making it a kind of tunnel book.
Please bring more samples of accordion books to share! If you have played with the woven accordion structure Dorsey taught us please show us what you did! The more books we look at the greater our repertoire becomes.
All materials will be provided but if you are able, please bring the following:
- Cutting mat
- X-Acto knife or the like
- Bone folder
- PVA, Fast Tack or other white glue and/or a glue stick
- Scissors
- Scraps of colored or decorative paper, can be as small as 3” x 3” or less
- Double-sided tape
If you don’t have any of these things, don’t worry extras will be available.
January Meeting Reflections
We were lucky enough to have the Queen of Complex Accordions kick off our special multi-meeting series. Dorsey Hogg gave us the basics and then introduced us to a twist, using interlocking layers to form multiple accordions into one structure. She wowed us with examples of her intricate altered book structures, and shared some insight into her start as a book artist.
Many other participants shared accordion books they had made as well, making it a lively and fun evening. For me, there is maybe nothing so satisfying as a nicely folded accordion made with smooth, crisp paper, so I am looking forward to the next meetings so we may all fold together again.
Thanks, Dorsey, and thanks to everyone who showed up and folded stuff.
You can view images from the meeting on the B.A.G. blog.
B.A.G. News
*** Support the Book Arts Guild of Vermont by becoming a member!
The Book Arts Guild of Vermont is supported by its members and you have kept us going for more than ten years. Our organization is solely run by volunteers and we do what we do because we love the book arts and we love B.A.G.. We continue to be inspired by our community, and the enthusiasm and talents that you bring to our meetings.
Membership dues are our main source of income and we hope that you will show that you value what we have to offer – quality programming, field trips, exhibits, and more – by becoming a member. You get so much value out of your $35.00 and attending just one meeting can give you your full money’s worth.
Just to give you an idea of where membership dues go, here’s a breakdown of B.A.G.’s annual expenses:
- Rent: $50.00 per month
- Presenter honorarium: $35.00 per meeting
- Website and email newsletter: $100.00 per year
- Presenter reimbursement for supplies: Varies
If you’ve done the math, you’ll see that we need a minimum of $910.00 (not including supply reimbursement) to cover our annual expenses.
We hope that you will renew your membership or join us as a new member at the December meeting. If you will not be at the meeting, you can download our membership form and send it in with your payment.
Thank you so much for your continued support of the guild. We wouldn’t be here without you.
*** Announcement: Spring/Summer member exhibit, Page Turners: Artist’s Books by the Book Arts Guild of Vermont
Our spring/summer exhibit will take place later this year and all members are invited and encouraged to contribute new or old work. The theme, Page Turners, is open-ended, allowing for unlimited interpretation.
Our exhibit location has yet to be determined, so stay tuned for more details.
*** Elissa Campbell is teaching the Secret Belgian Binding at Studio Place Arts in Barre, VT on February 10 & 11.
The not-so-mysterious Secret Belgian binding was developed to have the appearance of a Japanese stab binding, but also to have the ability of opening flat. The structure was invented by Anne Goy in the mid-1980’s and was relatively unknown until Hedi Kyle introduced it to the United States.
The text block is sewn is first, before attaching the covers with an intriguing woven sewing pattern – no glue is needed! This hard cover binding is perfect for use as a journal or sketchbook.
You will receive a detailed handout and resource list for all materials we use. Some previous experience with bookbinding is helpful, but not required.
Register online or contact Studio Place Arts at (802) 479-7069.
Book Arts News
*** On Wednesday February 12th from 5:00 p.m. – 6:15 p.m., join the Dartmouth Library Book Arts Workshop in the East Reading Room in Baker Library for What Is Small Press and Where Is it Going? A Talk with Matvei Yankelevich of Ugly Duckling Presse.
Ugly Duckling Presse began its life as a xeroxed zine and slowly transformed into a Brooklyn-based nonprofit small press led by a volunteer collective that has brought out more than 250 titles to date. Throughout its history, UDP has favored emerging, international, and “forgotten” writers, and its books, chapbooks, artist’s books, broadsides, and periodicals often contain handmade and letterpress elements, calling attention to the labor and history of bookmaking.
Matvei Yankelevich is one of the founding members of the Ugly Duckling Presse editorial collective. At UDP, he curates the Eastern European Poets Series since 2002, and has co-edited 36 issues of the poetry magazine 6×6 and 40 issues of the Emergency Gazette, and has edited and designed countless books, chapbooks, and poetry broadsides. He teaches translation and book-making workshops, as well as literary seminars at Columbia University’s School of the Arts, among other institutions, and is a member of the Writing faculty of the Milton Avery Graduate School of the Arts at Bard College.
No registration is necessary for the event.
*** Now through March 20th, the Baker-Berry Library at Dartmouth College is hosting Specimens: Artists Books and their Kin from the Dartmouth Collection. The exhibit was curated by Sarah Smith, Book Arts Workshop Program Manager.
Over the years, artists, designers and craftsmen working in the realm of “book arts” have influenced each other in many ways – sometimes without knowing. The works in this exhibit, whether called artist books, fine press books, zines, or examples of design bindings, involve an artistic approach to the book as a form and method of conveying beautiful design and/or provocative content and in so doing reveal the book as an art form itself.
These books can be found in Rauner Special Collections, Sherman Art Library‘s Special Collections as well as in the open stacks. They’ve included the call numbers and other information to help you find these books and others like them. Hopefully, you too will be inspired by these books to learn more and maybe even make one!
*** The New England Chapter of the Guild of Book Workers is looking for volunteers to teach simple bookbinding techniques and creative content at two upcoming Girl Scout events. Through these events, NEGBW volunteers will be helping Cadettes earn their Book Artist badge and potentially inspiring future bookbinders.
The event will be held on Saturday, March 7th at Camp Cedar Hill in Waltham, MA. There will be 2 sessions: 9:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. and 1:00 p.m. – 3:00 p.m. Carpooling can be arranged.
If you are interested in volunteering or have any questions, please contact Lauren Telepak at negbwprograms@gmail.com.
Book Arts Classes
*** On Sunday, February 9, 2020, The Eliot School of Fine and Applied Arts in Jamaica Plain, MA is offering Star Books with Cristina Hajosy.
A handmade star book can be presented as an artist’s book or as a hanging ornament. Excite viewers with the visual movement and performative qualities of this unusual book structure. Learn basic bookmaking techniques and experiment with hand-marbled papers, mixed media and collage scraps to customize your books.
For more information about the class, please visit the Eliot School’s website.
*** The North Bennet Street School in Boston is offering Sewn Board & Drumleaf Binding with Amy Lapidow on Sunday, March 22nd.
The sewn board binding, is a great structure that uses minimal tools and is infinitely adaptable. Dress it up or down, and it opens flat! Its sibling, the drum leaf binding is akin to a board book and is perfect for images. You will make both in this course.
For more information, please visit the NBSS website.
by Elissa | Jan 3, 2020 | B.A.G. Meetings, bookbinding, Call to artists, Exhibitions, MailB.A.G., Member News, Vermont, Workshops
Next Meeting: Wednesday, January 8, 2020, 6:30 p.m. – 8:30 p.m.
We meet at the Unitarian Universalist Society Church located at 152 Pearl Street in Burlington, VT. We will be in the Sophia Fahs Community Room, a large room located in the basement. Click here for more information on directions/parking.
Welcome to According to Accordions!
Often underestimated, the accordion book has more to it than meets the eye. This structure provides endless possibilities for construction, and multiple options for display and presentation. Starting with our January meeting, we will begin a multi-meeting exploration of the accordion book structure.
Prepare to be inspired by the versatility and potential of accordions!
Program: According to Accordions, Part 1 – Simple Accordions with Dorsey Hogg
In this month’s meeting Dorsey Hogg will lead us in making a simple accordion book. We’ll begin with the basics of the folded structure, and move on to more elaborate variations in the following meetings.
As an introduction, we’d like to invite you to bring books you’ve made with an accordion structure for a show and tell.
All materials will be provided, but please bring the following:
- Cutting mat
- X-acto knife
- Scissors
- Pencils or pens if you wish to work on the pages
- Glue stick
December Meeting Reflections
December’s meeting was full.
Full of fun, giving, selling and time for socializing. Everyone brought a wrapped handmade ornament and we had a gift exchange, followed by a lively sharing. As each ornament was presented “oohs” and “ahs” followed.
Then the meeting was opened up with members putting out goods to sell and a treasure table full of items free for the taking. We all left with new goodies and the warm feeling of fellowship with friends we admire.
You can view images from the meeting on the B.A.G. blog.
B.A.G. News
*** Support the Book Arts Guild of Vermont by becoming a member!
The Book Arts Guild of Vermont is supported by its members and you have kept us going for more than ten years. Our organization is solely run by volunteers and we do what we do because we love the book arts and we love B.A.G.. We continue to be inspired by our community, and the enthusiasm and talents that you bring to our meetings.
Membership dues are our main source of income and we hope that you will show that you value what we have to offer – quality programming, field trips, exhibits, and more – by becoming a member. You get so much value out of your $35.00 and attending just one meeting can give you your full money’s worth.
Just to give you an idea of where membership dues go, here’s a breakdown of B.A.G.’s annual expenses:
- Rent: $50.00 per month
- Presenter honorarium: $35.00 per meeting
- Website and email newsletter: $100.00 per year
- Presenter reimbursement for supplies: Varies
If you’ve done the math, you’ll see that we need a minimum of $910.00 (not including supply reimbursement) to cover our annual expenses.
We hope that you will renew your membership or join us as a new member at the December meeting. If you will not be at the meeting, you can download our membership form and send it in with your payment.
Thank you so much for your continued support of the guild. We wouldn’t be here without you.
*** Announcement: Spring/Summer member exhibit, Page Turners: Artist’s Books by the Book Arts Guild of Vermont
Our spring/summer exhibit will take place later this year and all members are invited and encouraged to contribute new or old work. The theme, Page Turners, is open-ended, allowing for unlimited interpretation.
Our exhibit location has yet to be determined, so stay tuned for more details.
*** Nina Gaby has been chosen to exhibit Unsent, an artist book using porcelain bound with wire, in the national exhibit Mixed Media opening at Nazareth College in Rochester, NY on January 24, 2020.
The exhibit features works across various mediums to showcase what the new generation of mixed media artists are doing while advancing the public’s awareness and appreciation of this interdisciplinary field.
For more information about the exhibit, visit the Nazareth College website.
*** Elissa Campbell is teaching the Secret Belgian Binding at Studio Place Arts in Barre, VT on February 10 & 11.
The not-so-mysterious Secret Belgian binding was developed to have the appearance of a Japanese stab binding, but also to have the ability of opening flat. The structure was invented by Anne Goy in the mid-1980’s and was relatively unknown until Hedi Kyle introduced it to the United States.
The text block is sewn is first, before attaching the covers with an intriguing woven sewing pattern – no glue is needed! This hard cover binding is perfect for use as a journal or sketchbook.
You will receive a detailed handout and resource list for all materials we use. Some previous experience with bookbinding is helpful, but not required.
Register online or contact Studio Place Arts at (802) 479-7069.
Book Arts News
*** Helen Hiebert has reinvented her Twelve Months of Paper Calendar as a planner, The Paper Year: A 2020 Creative Project Planner. Each month features a paper craft project along with a list of materials and tools you’ll need to complete each project, plus step-by-step photos, templates and easy-to-follow instructions.
Helen also has a curated paper pack that includes everything you need to complete all of the projects – no need to source materials on your own!
Elissa is working on getting a group order together so folks can take advantage of available discounts.
Here’s the scoop:
- If 10+ people order the planner, the discount is 50% – $12.50 each.
- If we get 2+ people ordering the paper pack, the discount 10% – $22.50.
- If 10+ people order both the planner and the paper pack, the total discount is 50% – $25.00
You can check out the planner and all of the completed projects at the December meeting (Elissa made ’em all). If you’re interested, please contact Elissa.
*** From February 20 – April 30, the North Bennet Street School will be hosting the exhibit Drop Dead Gorgeous: Fine Bindings of La Prose du Transsibérien Re-creation.
The remarkable book by poet Blaise Cendrars and artist Sonia Delaunay, La Prose du Transsibérien et de la petite Jehanne de France, was produced by letterpress and pochoir in 1913. It was a landmark achievement for its time with its unprecedented format, avant-garde typography and abstract imagery, and remains vibrant and modern today.
Kitty Maryatt of Two Hands Press has been researching the production of La Prose du Transsibérien since 2012. In 2018, she debuted a new edition of 150 copies, which faithfully incorporates techniques and methods used in the original.
At the same time, Maryatt and her underwriters commissioned fine bindings by notable design binders from around the world. These bindings, along with Maryatt’s La Prose du Transsibérien Re-Creation, have resulted in a traveling exhibition titled Drop Dead Gorgeous: Fine Bindings of La Prose du Transsibérien Re-creation.
The NBBS is located in Boston, MA.
*** The New England Chapter of the Guild of Book Workers will be celebrating 40 years in 2020 and to commemorate this milestone, they are inviting members to submit work to their upcoming 40th Anniversary Exhibition. They encourage submissions of all types of book work (this includes bindings, artist books, calligraphy, printmaking, paper making, etc.) to showcase the diversity of their membership.
In order to submit work, please fill out an Intent to Enter form. The deadline to submit the form is February 14, 2020. Submissions will be accepted from July 1 to July 31, 2020.
Entrants must be members of the New England Chapter of the Guild of Book Workers and carry a membership throughout the entire run of the exhibition.
For more information about the rules and regulations and deadlines, please visit the NEGBW website. You can also contact Erin Fletcher at newenglandgbw@gmail.com with any questions.
Book Arts Classes
*** From February 29 – March 1, the North Bennet Street School will be hosting a workshop with Kitty Maryatt on the technique of traditional French pochoir. Since this is an introduction, the focus will be on problem-solving and experiencing the joy of vibrant and true color.
This workshop will introduce the basics of printing multiples through aluminum stencils. The steps involve the following: trace the imagery that you want to reproduce, develop a registration system, identify and separate the colors, cut aluminum plates by hand, mix gouache colors, prime the French pochoir brush and apply the liquid in a swirling fashion.
The instructor will bring a pre-designed image with plates already cut so that participants can immediately learn the brush techniques. Afterwards, participants will select or create an image to be reproduced and go through the steps to make an edition of that image.
The NBBS is located in Boston, MA. For more information or to register, please visit the NBSS website.
*** On Sunday, February 9, 2020, The Eliot School of Fine and Applied Arts in Jamaica Plain, MA is offering Star Books with Cristina Hajosy.
A handmade star book can be presented as an artist’s book or as a hanging ornament. Excite viewers with the visual movement and performative qualities of this unusual book structure. Learn basic bookmaking techniques and experiment with hand-marbled papers, mixed media and collage scraps to customize your books.
For more information about the class, please visit the Eliot School’s website.
*** Maine Media Workshops + College is offering 2-Day Letterpress Single-Sheet Books with Valerie Carrigan from February 15 – 16, 2020.
This weekend workshop celebrates books made from single sheets of paper. You will learn to fold a variety of book structures, ranging from simple to complex in nature.
These versatile and fun structures are ideal for photographers and printmakers interested in presenting their work a in new and fresh way. Creative enclosures, also folded from single sheets of paper, will be made to house all book models.
All skill levels welcome in this workshop.
Click here to register. Maine Media Workshops + College is located in Rockport, ME.
by Elissa | Dec 5, 2019 | B.A.G. Meetings, bookbinding, Exhibitions, MailB.A.G., Member News, Vermont, Workshops
Next Meeting: Wednesday, December 11, 2019, 6:30 p.m. – 8:30 p.m.
We meet at the Unitarian Universalist Society Church located at 152 Pearl Street in Burlington, VT. We will be in the Sophia Fahs Community Room, a large room located in the basement. Click here for more information on directions/parking.
Program: Ornament Exchange and Holiday Market
At our December meeting, we will host an ornament exchange where members and friends are invited to swap handmade baubles. Bring one, take one!
Here’s how it works:
- Make an ornament to share – instruction or directions on how to make are optional.
- Bring to the meeting, wrapped in some manner.
- Swap for another ornament.
That’s it! The only rule is that the ornaments must be handmade.
Need inspiration? Check out these blog posts:
Get making!
AND
Get ready for the Holiday Market!
While you’re making your ornament and preparing for the holidays, clean out your stash and share stuff that you want to get rid of at our Free Table, or set up your own little shop with items to trade or sell. If you are selling/ trading, please label your products with a price or value for trading.
We’ll all have time to browse and pick up cool stuff from each other!
November Meeting Reflections
Each year, our group comes up with lovely, super-fun cards and books for the popular Book Blitz and Card Tricks meeting, and this year was no exception. We all shared in each other’s secret inspirational places (Fold of the Week seems to be on everyone’s list) while making some holiday cheer. The open format allowed for everyone to participate, explore, and mingle as well as pick up some new tricks.
The B.A.G. library was open, and our resident librarian Sally, picked out some important titles for members to borrow. I picked up one that I had been wanting to look at for a while. If you have any books that you want to donate to the library, just let Sally know, and if you’ve borrowed one or two, please return them at another meeting.
Thanks to everyone who participated this month. Attendance is at a very high level these days! I can’t wait to see what all you talented people do for the ornament exchange this year.
You can view images from the meeting on the B.A.G. blog.
B.A.G. News
*** Support the Book Arts Guild of Vermont by becoming a member!
The Book Arts Guild of Vermont is supported by its members and you have kept us going for more than ten years. Our organization is solely run by volunteers and we do what we do because we love the book arts and we love B.A.G.. We continue to be inspired by our community, and the enthusiasm and talents that you bring to our meetings.
Membership dues are our main source of income and we hope that you will show that you value what we have to offer – quality programming, field trips, exhibits, and more – by becoming a member. You get so much value out of your $35.00 and attending just one meeting can give you your full money’s worth.
Just to give you an idea of where membership dues go, here’s a breakdown of B.A.G.’s annual expenses:
- Rent: $50.00 per month
- Presenter honorarium: $35.00 per meeting
- Website and email newsletter: $100.00 per year
- Presenter reimbursement for supplies: Varies
If you’ve done the math, you’ll see that we need a minimum of $910.00 (not including supply reimbursement) to cover our annual expenses.
We hope that you will renew your membership or join us as a new member at the December meeting. If you will not be at the meeting, you can download our membership form and send it in with your payment.
Thank you so much for your continued support of the guild. We wouldn’t be here without you.
*** Since B.A.G. members have expressed interest in purchasing Nancy Stone’s recently published book, 251 Vermont Vistas, she will bring copies to the November and December meetings.
Originally begun as a book arts project, Nancy painted watercolor ‘postcards’ for every Vermont town that she and her husband visited as members of the VT251 Club. A preview of some pages, with written reflections of towns, can be seen at www.nancystone.weebly.com. With sales tax, the book costs $37.44; cash or checks accepted.
These make unique holiday gifts, capturing the beauty of Vermont’s scenery in all weather and seasons.
Book Arts News
*** Now through December 6th, John Neal Bookseller is running an extended Black Friday sale with savings of up to 50%. The selection of items includes bookbinding texts, calligraphy texts and supplies, and subscriptions to both Bound & Lettered and Letter Arts Review.
Click here to check out what’s discounted.
*** Helen Hiebert has reinvented her Twelve Months of Paper Calendar as a planner, The Paper Year: A 2020 Creative Project Planner. Each month features a paper craft project along with a list of materials and tools you’ll need to complete each project, plus step-by-step photos, templates and easy-to-follow instructions.
Helen also has a curated paper pack that includes everything you need to complete all of the projects – no need to source materials on your own!
Elissa is working on getting a group order together so folks can take advantage of available discounts.
Here’s the scoop:
- If 10+ people order the planner, the discount is 50% – $12.50 each.
- If we get 2+ people ordering the paper pack, the discount 10% – $22.50.
- If 10+ people order both the planner and the paper pack, the total discount is 50% – $25.00
You can check out the planner and all of the completed projects at the December meeting (Elissa made ’em all). If you’re interested, please contact Elissa.
*** Chena River Marblers is holding their Annual Studio Sale on December 14 & 15 from 9:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. The studio is located at 70 Justice Drive in Amherst, MA.
Marblers Regina and Dan St. John will be selling marbled papers (firsts and seconds), marbled paper treasure bags, notepads, journals, sketchbooks, boxes, post-it holders and many other great gift items all beautified by hand marbled papers.
There will be paper marbling demonstrations at 10:00 a.m., 11:00 ap.m., and 3:00 p.m. There will also be make-and-take activities:
- Marbled notepad; Marbled paper (free)
- Marbled Silk Scarf ($25.00)
For more information, please call (413) 253-2835 or email regstjohn@comcast.net.
*** If you’re looking for a board shear, there’s a compact wooden top Jacques shear for sale in Somerville, MA. A 30.5″ blade gives a 30″ cut. Removable back gauge, spring gauge can also be removed. Wooden surface is 32″ wide x 35″ long, 45″ – 56″ with the tray. 63″ from end of handle to counterweight.
This is a good shear for a small space, in great condition. The blade is sharp. Purchaser responsible for removal. Photos available upon request. Asking $3,000.00.
For more information or to purchase the shear, please contact Kate Rich at blackletterkate@hotmail.com.
Book Arts Classes
*** On January 11 & 12, 2020, the North Bennet Street School is offering Bookbinding 101 with Erin Fletcher.
In this two day class, students get a quick introduction to various bookbinding techniques by exploring three different book structures. The class begins with a simple pamphlet and continues with constructing two multi-signature books known as a flatback case binding and link stitch binding.
Finally, students construct a box to house all of their creations. This class is a great way to familiarize yourself with bookbinding and is perfect for those who are curious about the craft.
For more information or to register, please visit the NBSS website.
*** On Sunday, February 9, 2020, The Eliot School of Fine and Applied Arts in Jamaica Plain, MA is offering Star Books with Cristina Hajosy.
A handmade star book can be presented as an artist’s book or as a hanging ornament. Excite viewers with the visual movement and performative qualities of this unusual book structure. Learn basic bookmaking techniques and experiment with hand-marbled papers, mixed media and collage scraps to customize your books.
For more information about the class, please visit the Eliot School’s website.
*** Maine Media Workshops + College is offering 2-Day Letterpress Single-Sheet Books with Valerie Carrigan from February 15 – 16, 2020.
This weekend workshop celebrates books made from single sheets of paper. You will learn to fold a variety of book structures, ranging from simple to complex in nature.
These versatile and fun structures are ideal for photographers and printmakers interested in presenting their work a in new and fresh way. Creative enclosures, also folded from single sheets of paper, will be made to house all book models.
All skill levels welcome in this workshop.
Click here to register. Maine Media Workshops + College is located in Rockport, ME.
by Elissa | Nov 7, 2019 | B.A.G. Meetings, bookbinding, Exhibitions, Lecture, MailB.A.G., Member News, Vermont, Workshops
Next Meeting: Wednesday, November 13, 2019, 6:30 p.m. – 8:30 p.m.
We meet at the Unitarian Universalist Society Church located at 152 Pearl Street in Burlington, VT. We will be in the Sophia Fahs Community Room, a large room located in the basement. Click here for more information on directions/parking.
Program: Book Blitz and Card Tricks
Join us for our always-popular annual November tradition: Member-led mini hands-on workshops in the form of a card or mini-book exchange that we call Book Blitz and Card Tricks. Get prepared now and join the fun!
Design a card or small/simple book structure that has a trick or two; maybe a pop-up, French doors or a window. Bring your completed card or mini-book, along with materials for six undecorated cards or mini-book structures to share. We will have an exchange and then engage in some decorating fun.
Please feel free to join in the fun even if you don’t have time to prepare cards or mini-books to bring. We do a similar program every November and there is always more than enough to go around. As in years past, expect to go home with some great new ideas, several new tricks up your sleeve, and a few new cards for the season.
Things to bring:
- A decorated card/mini-book with a “trick” (optional)
- 6 card structures of your card/mini-book “trick” to exchange (optional)
- Glue
- Scissors
- X-Acto knife
- Cutting mat
- Ruler
- Bone folder
- Awl or needle tool
- Decorative punches
October Meeting Reflections
Oh how I love the Special Collections visit. It is my favorite meeting of the year, and this year did not disappoint. It feels so grand to be entertained by Prudence Doherty in that lovely space, and to be able to touch and devour the works she has chosen.
First off, we were served a table full of books that had elements of stitching, including some wonderful books full of quilting references and patterns. My favorite, though was the collection of poems, A Strawberry in the Snow. It checked all my boxes – letterpress, linocuts, stitching, cloth binding, beautifully engineered.
The second table setting featured the work of Ellen Dorn Levitt. In this case, the work was presented in boxes that housed her teaching materials, notes, samples, instructions, and some student work. I found it absolutely fascinating to see the organization and detail that she shared with her students. She was obviously adored by them.
All in all, another inspiring evening. Thanks to everyone who attended, and special thanks to Prudence for her time and her compelling narrative.
You can view images from the meeting on the B.A.G. blog.
B.A.G. News
*** December Handmade Ornament Exchange
At our December meeting, we will host an ornament exchange where members and friends are invited to swap handmade baubles. Bring one, take one!
Here’s how it works:
- Make an ornament to share – instruction or directions on how to make are optional.
- Bring to the meeting, wrapped in some manner.
- Swap for another ornament.
That’s it! The only rule is that the ornaments must be handmade.
Need inspiration? Check out these blog posts:
Get making!
*** Since B.A.G. members have expressed interest in purchasing Nancy Stone’s recently published book, 251 Vermont Vistas, she will bring copies to the November and December meetings.
Originally begun as a book arts project, Nancy painted watercolor ‘postcards’ for every Vermont town that she and her husband visited as members of the VT251 Club. A preview of some pages, with written reflections of towns, can be seen at www.nancystone.weebly.com. With sales tax, the book costs $37.44; cash or checks accepted.
These make unique holiday gifts, capturing the beauty of Vermont’s scenery in all weather and seasons.
*** Carolyn Shattuck will be showing her work at the Boston Art Book Fair from November 8 – 10, 2019.
As one of the largest art book fairs on the East Coast, this curated event will feature over 130 exhibitors, artists and publishers.
With art installations, DJs, workshops, panels, and a chance to mingle with truly innovative artists and creatives of our generation, this year’s fair invites audiences of all ages to engage in an art-filled weekend to expand their ideas about print.
The event is produced by the Boston Center for the Arts (BCA) and Bodega and will be held in BCA’s historic Cyclorama.
For more information, please visit the event website.
Book Arts News
*** Prudence Doherty notified us that the Artists’ Book Showcase with Vamp and Tramp Booksellers at UVM Special Collections on November 7th has been canceled.
*** You may be interested in the formation of a new group called New England Book Artists. They plan to meet once a month at the Central Branch of the Boston Public Library in Copley Square. The first meeting was held on November 1st and included a discussion of the direction on which the group should initially focus.
For more information or questions, please email Marie Canaves at nebookartists@outlook.com.
*** The conservation treatment of Dante’s 1477 La Commedia will be detailed in an upcoming lecture with independent book conservator Jeffrey S. Peachey. The lecture will be held on November 19 at Schlesinger Library at Harvard University in Cambridge, MA.
An examination of the remains of earlier binding structures, and decisions that lead to its resewing and rebinding in an alum tawed goatskin conservation binding will be discussed. During the treatment, evidence was found suggesting that the Inferno and Purgatorio cantiche may have circulated separately at one point. Differences between historic 15th century binding practices and modern conservation binding techniques will be highlighted, as will the difficulties of achieving a sympathetic relationship between original and new binding materials.
Observations on the history, nature and idea of conservation rebinding will conclude the lecture, followed by an audience discussion. Conservators, bibliophiles, bookbinders, librarians, Italian scholars, and anyone curious about the physical structure of books will find this lecture of interest.
Book Arts Classes
*** The North Bennet Street School in Boston is offering Surface Gilding with James Reid-Cunningham on November 10th.
Surface gilding creates a luxurious effect on a binding, creating a book that glows. This workshop will focus on techniques for decorating leather, paper, parchment, papyrus with gold leaf over large areas, even over entire boards. Participants will experiment with varieties of glaire for adhering gold; the use of masks to create designs; polishing gold leaf; sealants, coatings and sizes to preserve the gold; and methods of seamless joining of sheets of gold leaf over large areas.
For more information, please visit the NBSS website.
*** On Sunday, November 24th, The Eliot School of Fine and Applied Arts in Jamaica Plain, MA is offering Dos Equis Hand-Sewn Books with Cristina Hajosy.
Hand-bound books create unique formats for presenting photography, prints, and mixed media artworks. Learn techniques for both soft-bound and hard-bound versions of this flexible book structure. The name comes from the 2-needle stitching that crosses back and forth between the signatures or folded sections of the book interior. Decorative papers, book cloths and bead selections will be available in class.
For more information about the class, please visit the Eliot School’s website.
by Elissa | Sep 5, 2019 | B.A.G. Meetings, bookbinding, MailB.A.G., Member News, Vermont, Workshops
Next Meeting: Wednesday, September 11, 2019, 6:30 p.m. – 8:30 p.m.
We meet at the Unitarian Universalist Society Church located at 152 Pearl Street in Burlington, VT. We will be in the Sophia Fahs Community Room, a large room located in the basement. Click here for more information on directions/parking.
Program: Developing Your Personal Writing Style, Part 2 and Sharing Books from Postcard Swap
Our meeting will have two parts this month!
Bring in your postcard challenge book to share. Get ready to be amazed!
AND
Meta Strick and Penne Tompkins will continue our development of hand-written text on the page with an exploration of Capitals. These large single letters have many centuries of history. We will have lots of examples, and we will provide a step-by-step process for making your own fancy, dramatic initials, sometimes called versals.
For our members who have examples of Decorated Capitals that they wish to share, please bring them.
If you have been practicing your individual lettering style and would like to bring it, Penne and Meta will be happy to look at it, provide feedback, and offer enthusiastic appreciation.
Please bring the following:
- A few sheets of unlined paper
- A pencil
- Some colored markers.
- Optional: small set of pan watercolors, a brush, and a small water cup
August Meeting Reflections
Hand lettering experts Meta Strick and Penne Tompkins gave us a crash course in personalizing our own handwriting at the August meeting.
With tips and tricks, they allowed participants to feel more comfortable with their own hand lettering skills and encouraged everyone to use this new skill in art projects. But of course, the key to all of this is practice, practice, practice!
Even in the short meeting session, we saw how repetition can lead to expertise (or at least improvement).
It was a record turnout in August! Thanks to everyone who attended and participated, and a big thanks to Meta and Penne! We are looking forward to the continuation of the letter arts program in September.
You can view images from the meeting on the B.A.G. blog.
B.A.G. News
*** The Book Arts Guild of Vermont is proud to be once again participating in this year’s Burlington Book Festival on Saturday, September 28th at the Fletcher Free Library. This annual event celebrates the written word by offering readings, book signings, panels, demos, workshops, family activities, and special events.
We’ll be manning a table from 10:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. and during that time, we’ll be offering two mini workshops at 11:00 a.m. and 2:00 p.m. We’re looking for volunteers to man the table for two-hour time slots – 10:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m., 12:00 p.m. – 2:00 p.m., and 2:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m.
We also have display space available for member work.
Please contact Marcia to volunteer and/or if you have any work to show.
*** Carolyn Shattuck has a retrospective show, Into My Space, open now through September 7th at Compass Music and Arts Center. The exhibit covers the 30+ years of her career as an artist. Work on display ranges from paintings to prints, collages to handmade books, and small to large works.
Compass Music and Arts Center is located at 333 Jones Drive in Brandon, VT.
*** Elissa Campbell recently participated in a group bookbinding project sponsored by Janine Vangool, publisher, editor and designer for Uppercase Magazine.
Vangool gave unbound copies of Ephemera, a volume in her Encyclopedia of Inspiration series, to sixteen bookbinders who had to create covers based on the contents.
Each book is unique in approach, incorporating different covering materials, bookbinding structures and ornamentation techniques. You can check out the bindings online.
Book Arts Classes
*** The North Bennet Street School in Boston is offering Secret Belgian Binding – Three Ways with Erin Fletcher on September 14 & 15. The Secret Belgian binding can be constructed quickly with few tools and virtually no equipment. It opens flat and works best with thinner text blocks.
This workshop explores the Secret Belgian structure and ways to modify it. On day one, students put together two variations of this non-adhesive structure: one with exposed stitches and one with hidden stitches. On day two, students explore modified versions of the Secret Belgian binding developed by book artist, Anne Goy by playing with the length of stitching and incorporating Tyvek.
For more information, please visit the NBSS website.
*** Also at the North Bennet Street School is Traditional Ethiopian Bookbinding, taught by Bill Hanscom on September 28 & 29. This two-day workshop will begin with a presentation detailing the traditional methods and materials of the Ethiopian scribe and bookbinder. Students will then construct two historical models.
The first will be a basic binding with bare wooden boards demonstrating the fundamentals of the unsupported link stitch, board attachment and repair, and the construction of a ləbas (a protective cloth over-cover). The second will be a full leather binding with inlays of patterned cloth and traditional endbands of interwoven leather strips.
Basic tooling techniques as well as common designs and motifs will be discussed and demonstrated. Students will be given the opportunity to decorate their bindings as time allows.
For more information, please visit the NBSS website.
*** On Sunday, September 22nd, The Eliot School of Fine & Applied Arts in Boston is offering Star Books with Cristina Hajosy.
A handmade star book can be presented as an artist’s book or as a hanging ornament. Excite viewers with the visual movement and performative qualities of this unusual book structure. Learn basic bookmaking techniques and experiment with hand-marbled papers, mixed media and collage scraps to customize your books.
For more information about the class, please visit the Eliot School’s website or click here to download the complete catalog.
