{ Bookmaking Bonanza! : A Personal Dream Come True } : March 2019 //

March 25, 2019

In my mind, I had imagined this thing that I eventually named the ‘Bookmaking Bonanza!’ I wanted to gather a group of people together to see how many handmade books we could make in a day. I had tried multiple times to make this workshop happen. Third time is the charm! 11 magnificent women joined me on Saturday, March 23rd at the Floyd Art Center in gorgeous Floyd, VA to make this artist’s dream come true!

We made 5 handmade books in 5 hours—the Accordion Fold, Flower Fold, Smash Book (a variation on the Accordion Fold), Japanese Stab Binding and a 5 Hole Butterfly Stitch Pamphlet.

SO. MUCH. FUN. This group of women ROCKED it! Infinite gratitude to all that participated!

I am thinking that another Bookmaking Bonanza would be great around the holiday season?

{ Handmade Book Challenge } // January 2019

January 24, 2019

I have been making handmade books for over 10 years. I tend to stick books I am familiar with making so that I can work on my craftsmanship while creating enough product to sell at various stores, galleries and shows. While teaching a class on bookmaking at the local university here in Blacksburg, VA, a friend of mine handed me a book on how to make books. As we combed through the book together, I realized that there were so many books that I had yet to discover! I decided to challenge myself to work from one end of the ‘How To’ to the other. This month, I created the 5 Hole Pamphlet (with inside folder), 5 Hole Pamphlet Do-Si-Do and the Basic Codex.

5 Hole Pamphlet : Inside View with Folder

{ INK INSPIRATIONS : PART ONE } : Sketchbooks // Oct-Nov

November 5, 2018

And the ink experiments carry on! I am working in so many different books at the moment and have no plans to stop any time soon. I am becoming more comfortable experimenting with color and bringing in experimental calligraphy with cola pens. My next step is to go in and add details with gel pens…a step I cannot wait to begin!

{ 40 Day Markmaking Challenge : Part One }

September 14, 2018

Back in May, I become enthralled with Helen Terry’s blog post about her experiment with the 40 Day Mark-making Challenge. She made her own handmade book with loads of different types of paper with the commitment of making marks for 40 consecutive days.

I loved the concept and decided to embark on my own 40 Day Mark-making challenge. I enjoyed it so much that working in one book a day was not enough. In this week’s blog post, I will share various pages from my own handmade book. Papers include vellum, found/salvaged, handmade, watercolor, drawing, Kraft papers and more!

I used watercolors, India inks, spray inks and of course, my beloved cola pens. There were many failures…the challenge of so many different papers consumed me. Below are the experiments that I found acceptable.

Be warned…taking on the 40 Day Mark-making Challenge is addictive!

{ ART JOURNAL MEGA PACKS } //

May 19, 2017

I have been dreaming of making ART JOURNAL MEGA PACKS for a while now. After delivering my show to the Black House (pictures to be included in an upcoming blog post...I want to wait for my Opening Reception to happen on June 2nd fro 5-7 pm), I finally made a true commitment to get these monster packs made and listed on my Etsy shop by Monday, May 22nd. But I just could not wait. These mega packs are over 1.5 lbs and are brimming with items to begin your art journal or to add to your collection. Take your creativity to the next level!

Aren't they too cute? I am definitely in LOVE. Now...back to the studio to make MORE packs and inspired play in my art journal!