Next Meeting:

Wednesday November 7, 6:30 p.m. – 8:30 p.m.

Enter by side door: Punch in the code (contact us for code). When the green light glows, pull open the door.

$5 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.)

Post-It Books: These nifty little books make excellent hostess gifts or little holiday gifts for every one at the office. The cool thing is that this is a re-usable blank book that will sit on everyone’s desk or by the phone for ever and be the ultimate usable gift. This little book model is easy to make and the supplies are easy to get. In fact this is a good place to use a “reject piece” of your original art work for the cover.

Materials to bring:

• 3 inch square post-it pad(s)
• Lovely decorative cover paper 5” by 9”
• 2 pieces double ply card board or mat board 3 5/8” square
• Card stock to match or compliment the cover
• Bonefolder
• Ruler
• Pencil
• Cutting mat
• Exacto knife or rolling blade
• Scissors
• Glue and brush
• Scrap paper for gluing

Also, bring the following but I’ll have extra on hand if you don’t:

• 2 sided tape
• Rounded corner punch
• Small piece of book cloth
• Small piece of tyvek mailing envelope

• December: Annual Ethnic Potluck with Swap and Sale
• January: Sharing: challenges, projects, resources and inspirations
• February: Personal Journey of a Book Artist by Nancy Stone
• March: Technology: Resources, Communication and Inspirations by Elissa Campbell
• April: Edible Books
• May: pending
• June/July: trip to Montreal

• Krista Ainsworth: krista33@gmail.com
• Fran Huntoon: cgfh@gmavt.net

*** BAG members Meta Strick and Elissa Campbell will be showing their work at Craft Vermont, Vermont Hand Crafters’ annual fine art and craft show. From November 19 – 22, you can find Elissa & Meta right next to each other in the Emerald Room at the Sheraton, 870 Williston Road in South Burlington. Click here to download a coupon for $1 off admission.

SECRETS…We all have them…hidden and held close to the heart…sometimes we open them to ourselves or unfold them to let someone else know about them…sometimes unbidden they whisper back to us…reminding us that they are there keeping silent but always with us…what secrets do you wish to unfold with us?

This is a women’s collaborative book using a square 3-inch by 3-inch ocular-opening envelope as the container for our secrets. All material and/or content/media is welcome; decorate any surface as the book will we sewn together at one fold. Writers, poets, artists are encouraged to submit. Inclusion in this project is juried by JUSTARIP Press, Phillipsburg, NJ. Envelopes exceeding the required dimensions, design or structure may not be included. All works must be signed with the artist’s full name, contact information and dated somewhere on the submitted work. Submission of the piece by the artist is an agreement to be part of the project. Any images of submitted works will be used for promotional purposes only and no profits will be made from reproduction of any images. The finished collaborative book will be submitted to the National Museum for Women in the Arts for inclusion in their Special Collections. Submission does not guarantee placement.

The finished collaborative book WILL BE DONATED and no proceeds will be realized by any participating artists or JUSTARIP Press, Phillipsburg, NJ.

The book will be exhibited at least once in the Phillipsburg-Easton area during National Women’s History Month in March of 2010. All submissions must be completed and mailed to: Maryann J. Riker, JUSTARIP Press, Phillipsburg, NJ 08865.

*** Val Hird (BAG member) has an exhibit at the Flynn Center for Performing Arts’ Tarrant Gallery October 2, 2009 – January 2, 2010. The exhibit also has the books on a laptop which allows you to open each page of each journal. The show is open to the public on Saturday afternoons as well as before each evening show and the intermission. www.maidenvoyagesproject.com.

*** Bailey/Howe Library, UVM Medieval and Renaissance Manuscripts in the lobby: Two dozen books that were all inscribed and illuminated by hand on early paper, parchment and vellum.

*** Susan Bonthron: 12 YEARS AT OTTER POND, a retrospective of her book arts. Gallery 215 (a new gallery for book arts) Latchis Hotel, Brattleboro, VT, October 2 – 28, 2009. Gallery 215 is located on the second floor of the Latchis Hotel; it is a new space dedicated to book arts, works on paper and assemblage. Open on Wednesday and Friday afternoons from 2-6PM, and by appointment on the weekends. Call or email Susan for an appointment – (802) 257-0003 www.otterpondbindery.com.

Susan Bonthron, Otter Pond Bindery
108 S. Belden Hill Rd.
Guilford, VT 05301
(802) 257-0003
www.otterpondbindery.com

*** Garage Annex School: A Book of One’s Own: Versatile Journal and Sketchbook Designs
Dates: November 7 – 8, 2009, Saturday – Sunday
Tuition: $220 plus $40 materials, enrollment limited to twelve.

We will construct a series of journal/sketchbook models, from simple to complex, considering features and adaptations that could make each form ideally suited for a specific use travel journal, sketchbook, field journal, annual diary, etc. The models will incorporate pockets, foldouts, maps, envelopes, closures, and various combinations of exterior and interior materials. Discussions on variations will consider compactness and portability, durability of materials, strength of binding, pages that open flat for writing and drawing, paper that is pleasing and works with a variety of writing and drawing tools, and built-in spaces for special needs. Our final model will be a personal journal for the coming year, 2010, with pre-printed calendar and note pages.

Greta D. Sibley, Garage Annex School, Inc.
One Cottage Street #5, Room 5-03
Easthampton, MA 01027
(413) 529-0070, (413) 529-0071
Greta@GarageAnnexSchool.com

• Book Arts Guild of VT chat room: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/BookArtsGuildVT
• Book Arts Guild of VT blog: http://bookartsguildvt.wordpress.com

Next Meeting:

Wednesday October 7, 6:30 p.m. – 8:30 p.m.

Enter by side door: Punch in the code (contact us for code). When the green light glows, pull open the door.

$5 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.)

The premise for this month’s activity is that anything can become a book. To prove it, we will use junk box contents to make “anything goes” books. What to bring? This is your chance to get rid of some junk. (Ideally the pieces should be no larger than about the size of your hand.) Bring any junk you want to throw into the junk box. The following list is incomplete and inconclusive: buttons, bells, beads; keys, coins and bottle caps; old jewelry, watches and clock parts; pins, needles and spoons; broken glass and pottery; mirrors; wire of all kinds and colors; toy parts; gadget parts; electronics parts; game pieces and parts; window screen and metal foil; brads, rings and washers; feathers, pressed leaves, ferns and flowers, twigs, bark, pebbles and stones; yarn, cord and string; ribbon, lace and fabric scraps; wood scraps; postage stamps, playing cards and ticket stubs; old cards, old calendars, old magazines, old books, old maps; crayons, candy wrappers and candles.

You can bring scissors, needle and thread, pliers, glues, and your personal preferences as to papers, marking and coloring materials, and embellishments.

In addition to my junk box, which is about three-quarters full at the moment, I will bring scissors, needle and thread, wire and pliers, glues, miscellaneous papers, some acrylic paints and brushes, and a drill.

If you are a perfectionist, don’t bring that trait. Junk box books are spontaneous, imprecise, foolish and fun.

Meta Strick is a mixed media/multiple media artist, who “makes a lot of stuff.” For over 25 years she has taught a variety of studio art classes at Community College of Vermont. Meta participates in several art and fine craft shows in New England and Ohio, where she sells mixed media art dolls and ornaments, and paintings and calligraphy. You can see a few dolls and paintings at her website, www.metastrick.com.

ARTISTS’ BOOKS: A DISCUSSION with MILDRED BELTRÉ & JANE KENT

Printmakers, book artists, and University of Vermont professors Mildred Beltré and Jane Kent will talk about their work and share their perspectives on creating artists’ books. Refreshments will be served.

Date: September 22, 2009
Time: 7:30 p.m.
Location: Special Collections Reading Room, Bailey/Howe Library, University of Vermont. Parking is available at the visitor parking lot on College St.

For more information, call 656-2138 or Email uvmsc[at]uvm[dot]edu.

There is still time to sign up for this Saturday workshop: Four-Needle Book Binding Workshop with Amy Lapidow

Amy, of The Three Ring Binders in Somerville, MA, will present a four-needle bookbinding workshop. Participants will make 2 four-needle sewn historic structures: Japanese Butterfly Binding and four-needle Coptic book.

Date: Saturday, September 26, 2009
Time: 9:00 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.
Location: Williston Federated Church, Fellowship Hall, Williston, VT
Meals: Bring your own bag lunch and drinks.
Cost: $65 ($55 Class Fee + $10 materials fee) Payment due in full with registration to reserve a spot!
Materials: Two kits (one for each binding) will be supplied by the instructor. Additional materials list will be supplied with registration confirmation.

For further information, please contact Jill Abilock at jabilock[at]japanlink-trans[dot]com or (802) 735-1443.

For more information call Marilyn Buhlmann at (802) 257-0098 or Susan Bonthron at (802) 257-0003

A message from B.A.G. member Susan Bonthron:

Dear Book arts fans,

I am beginning to put together a fall book arts class schedule, and would like to know what you’re interested in:

• paste paper
• marbled paper
• tunnel books
• photo albums
• coptic journals
• 3-section hardbound journals
• 3 single-section books
• portfolios
• pop-ups
• or something completely different

Susan can be contacted via Email: susan.bonthron[at]gmail[dot]com

Liz Kappel shared a collection of some of her books and amazed us all with her creative talent. She takes simple structures and transforms them with the use of beautiful materials and personal content. She taught us how to make two different structures that each come from a single sheet of paper. We folded and cut our papers then added cut outs for tunnels, sewn bindings and pockets. With time to play and explore everyone left with fun new ideas for creating our own art books.

Meta Strick wrote: “Liz’s presentation last night was great, and I was inspired.”

You can view images from the meeting on the B.A.G. blog.

BAG member Elissa Campbell is teaching two classes at Studio Place Arts in Barre this October. To enroll, please call the SPA office at (802) 479-7069.

Peek-a-Boo Journal:

Date: Thursday October 1 & 8
Time: 5:30 p.m. – 8:30 p.m.

In this workshop, participants will create a journal with a double-needle coptic binding, an intricate stitch that will be visible on the spine of the book. Not only is the coptic binding beautiful, but it also allows books to remain flat when opened. The book covers will include a cut-out window, which offers many opportunities for personalization — photos, pressed flowers, theater tickets — if it’s flat, you can use it. Participants are encouraged to bring small photos, paper ephemera, and/or other flat items to both decorate the covers and include in the windows. Additional materials will be available for use during the class.

Each participant will leave class with a completed book and basic knowledge of bookbinding technique. Participants will receive a detailed handout and resource list for all materials used. Some bookbinding or sewing experience is helpful, but not required. Materials: Please contact SPA for a materials list. In addition, there is a $15 fee to the instructor at the first class. Members $55/Non-Members $65

Strappy Journal (ages 14 – 18):

Date: Saturday, October 3
Time: 1:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m.

Journals are great for so many things – exploring our creative selves, recording dreams and feelings, documenting travels, or preserving details of our daily lives. Why not make a journal of your own, just the way you want it – it’s easy! In this workshop, we will use a binding that allows the book to remain flat when opened, making it perfect for use as a sketchbook or journal. Participants are encouraged to bring collage materials to decorate the covers of your book. Additional materials will be available for use during the class.

In this workshop, each participant will leave class with a completed book and a basic knowledge of bookbinding technique. You will receive a detailed handout and resource list for all materials we use. No previous experience necessary. This workshop is grant-funded and free of charge.

Carolyn Shattuck has some of her fine books in two venues this autumn: He Had No Words will be shown in a very exciting new venue for Book Arts called Central Booking in the DUMBO area of Brooklyn. The opening is September 17th at 111 Front Street, Gallery 214, Brooklyn, NY, (347) 731-6559. www.centralbookingnyc.com.

Book Arts Guild of VT blog: http://bookartsguildvt.wordpress.com

Date: Saturday, September 26, 2009
Time: 9:00 a.m. – 4:30 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: $65 ($55 Class Fee + $10 materials fee) 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: Two kits (one for each binding) will be supplied by the instructor. Additional materials list will be supplied with registration confirmation.

Amy Lapidow on Four-Need Book Binding :

We will make 2 four-needle sewn historic structures. In the morning, we’ll create a book with a Japanese Butterfly Binding. This q uick, easy, attractive, flexible book, opens flat and is great for journal keepers. In the afternoon we will build on the morning’s work and make a 4 needle Coptic book. This non-adhesive structure opens flat and has hard covers.

Registration form

Workshop flyer

For further information or to receive a hard copy registration form, please contact Jill Abilock: jabilock@japanlink-trans.com or (802) 735-1443

Next Meeting:

Wednesday Sepetmber 2, 6:30 p.m. – 8:30 p.m.

Enter by side door: Punch in the code (contact us for code). When the green light glows, pull open the door.

$5 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.)

Liz will share her own unique books each created from a single sheet of paper. Her books will inspire us with her use of papers, stamps, embellishments, quotes and hidden surprises. Liz will lead us in a workshop on how to make the book structures and then we will have time to explore and create using this structure.

Materials to bring:

• Medium-weight paper
• Needle and thread
• Glue stick
• Bonefolder
• Scissors
• Ribbon and anything else that inspires you for embellishment

Luckily, our bubbling-over-with-enthusiasm Elissa Campbell prepared supplies for 24 people because, even on a hot summer evening, 23 people turned up! They probably knew that any class taught by Elissa is a rich experience! This was a workshop on the “Dowel Spine Portfolio” which she’d learned from a recent course by its inventor Peter Thomas at the Focus on Book Arts Conference You can see photos of all of us at work on the B.A.G. blog and learn more about the conference by going to Elissa’s blog http://blueroofdesigns.wordpress.com. It’s a fine site with a wealth of Elissa’s expertise and other resources as well; some members even learned of the VT Book Arts Guild by finding us on this site!

There are many sad goodbyes that we have to make, but saying goodbye to the Book Arts Guild is one of the saddest. I have so much enjoyed getting to know and to work with all of you.

All the best to you all,
Rebecca

On Thursday, August 27th, Jane Davies will be presenting her book Collage Journeys along with Judy Lake, who will be presenting her new book, The Lampshade Lady’s Guide to Lighting Up Your Life at the Northshire Bookstore in Manchester, VT.

Join us for an evening celebrating two noted local artists, as Judy Lake presents The Lampshade Lady’s Guide to Lighting Up Your Life and Jane Davies presents Collage Journeys. Judy Lake has been making lampshades for more than 20 years, and turning out distinctive handmade lampshades from her Pawlet, Vermont shop for more than 11 years. In The Lampshade Lady’s Guide to Lighting Up Your Life, Lake shows how to create lampshades that show off your personality. You’ll learn how easy it is to make unique lampshades using materials as varied as old cloth children’s books to antique postcards. Known for her bold use of color, Jane Davies designs tableware, fabric, paper goods, stationery and other products for prestigious manufacturers. In Collage Journeys: A Practical Guide to Creating Personal Artwork, the artist, designer and teacher shows how to take collage to the next level. The book presents a series of innovative workshop assignments, each designed to relate the technique and format of a collage to its subject, with stunning finished pieces to offer inspiration. She is also the author of A Glaze of Color and Collage with Color, and lives in Rupert, Vermont.

*** BAG member Gwen Morey, who knows her paper since she runs the “Stamp On It” store in Essex Junction, recommends this website for an amazing paper artist.  As she says, “don’t just look at the sculptures…..click on the other links on the top.”  http://www.jenstark.com/sculpture_01.html

*** BAG member Elissa Campbell is teaching two classes at Studio Place Arts in Barre this October. To enroll, please call the SPA office at (802) 479-7069.

Peek-a-Boo Journal: Thursday October 1 & 8, 5:30 p.m. – 8:30 p.m.
In this workshop, participants will create a journal with a double-needle coptic binding, an intricate stitch that will be visible on the spine of the book. Not only is the coptic binding beautiful, but it also allows books to remain flat when opened. The book covers will include a cut-out window, which offers many opportunities for personalization — photos, pressed flowers, theater tickets — if it’s flat, you can use it. Participants are encouraged to bring small photos, paper ephemera, and/or other flat items to both decorate the covers and include in the windows. Additional materials will be available for use during the class. Each participant will leave class with a completed book and basic knowledge of bookbinding technique. Participants will receive a detailed handout and resource list for all materials used. Some bookbinding or sewing experience is helpful, but not required. Materials: Please contact SPA for a materials list. In addition, there is a $15 fee to the instructor at the first class. Members $55/Non-Members $65

Strappy Journal (ages 14 – 18): Saturday, October 3, 1:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m.
Journals are great for so many things – exploring our creative selves, recording dreams and feelings, documenting travels, or preserving details of our daily lives. Why not make a journal of your own, just the way you want it – it’s easy! In this workshop, we will use a binding that allows the book to remain flat when opened, making it perfect for use as a sketchbook or journal. Participants are encouraged to bring collage materials to decorate the covers of your book. Additional materials will be available for use during the class. In this workshop, each participant will leave class with a completed book and a basic knowledge of bookbinding technique. You will receive a detailed handout and resource list for all materials we use. No previous experience necessary. This workshop is grant-funded and free of charge.

*** Garage Annex School: We are pleased to welcome Dea Sasso to GAS to teach for the first time as she offers her basic repairs class for beginners. Please visit our website in order to see images that go with this workshop description, and in order to see what else we are offering this fall.  You may register online, or send us a check. If you are sending a check, please email me so I know to put you on the enrollment list.

Book Repair and Restoration for Beginners
Dea Sasso
September 19–20, Saturday–Sunday, Tuition: $185, Materials: $25
Enrollment limited to twelve.
This class is a two-day book repair intensive for those who want hands-on experience and instruction in evaluating and correcting book problems and damage.

You will practice basic techniques, and through the use of “reveals” (examples of partially repaired/exposed books and paper) will experience a wide range of age, injury, structural and material defects in books.  Emphasis will be on practicing the skills necessary to complete basic repair techniques. You can expect to complete at least ten sample repairs during the two days of class. You will also learn about other resources for your continued study and practice of book repair and restoration.  No previous experience is required.

Greta D. Sibley
Garage Annex School, Inc.
One Cottage Street #5, Room 5-03
Easthampton, MA 01027
413-529-0070
413-529-0071
Greta@GarageAnnexSchool.com

*** The Center for Book Arts: Fall has always been the perfect time to explore new techniques or brush up on essential skills. We’ve got an exciting schedule of classes for artists, writers, and students new to books to expand their knowledge and immerse themselves in the book arts.

• Are you an artist looking for new options for presenting your work? Barbara Mauriello will help you translate your art into a book structure, learning the basics of bookmaking along the way in her perennially popular Bookbinding for Artists.
• Have some sewing experience but want to try something new? Under the expert guidance of Susan Mills, explore a variation on the longstitch structure, using handmade paper and leather straps.
• Katie Baldwin will join us to demonstrate her mastery of the woodcut. In multiple colors, with perfect registration, learn the secrets of reductive relief printing and work on a gorgeous collaborative poster.
• Have you always wanted to try letterpress but haven’t gotten around to it? Take that chance now and start with the basics in Letterpress I. Learn the ins and outs of inking and impression, set type by hand, see your words in print. There are several sections coming up this fall.

Check the classes page of The Center for Book Arts website to see a complete list of offerings, and register online from the course description page or by phone at (212) 481-0295. Hope to see you this fall!

Sincerely,
Sarah Nicholls
Programs Manager

2009 Sally R. Bishop Faculty Fellow: Each year the Center invites a luminary in the field to New York City to give a lecture, teach a workshop and present a body of work as a Featured Artist. The Center for Book Arts is honored to welcome Johanna Druckeras the 2009 Sally R. Bishop Faculty Fellow. The weekend of November 7-8 she will join us for What Makes a Book Work? A hands-on workshop exploring explore fundamental concepts of development, sequence, and intertextuality, this class provides some basic lessons that can be used for teaching or in one’s own practice. Students will work with scale, image, text, and content across a book’s spaces and hone their sensitivity to how the elements of a book relate to each other. Designed for advanced students, this class is application only; please contact the Center to register. A selection of her bookworks will be on display in the gallery through December 5th; Drucker will give a lecture on her work in conjunction with the exhibition on Friday, November 6th.

*** 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 blog: http://bookartsguildvt.wordpress.com

Next Meeting:

Wednesday August 5, 6:30 p.m. – 8:30 p.m.

Enter by side door: Punch in the code (contact us for code). When the green light glows, pull open the door.

$5 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.)

Come learn the Dowel Spine Portfolio, a non-adhesive structure created by Peter Thomas. I learned this structure in a class I took with Peter at the Focus on Book Arts conference. It’s an easy binding that requires few tools and materials. The first book we’ll make will be of a size that can accommodate a standard business card. The second book is a version of the structure that I adapted to fit a CD.

• Materials to bring:
• Bonefolder
• X-Acto knife
• Cutting mat
• Scissors
• Ruler
• Pencil

Jane led a full class of fifteen participants eager to Unbind the Visual Journal. The morning was spent creating quick random collages on 8 folios of 90# paper. Although collage papers were shared, there was not much talk was since everyone worked furiously and quietly to complete the spontaneous pages within the short time frame. We discovered that creating art without much deliberation was a new and freeing experience which would help us avoid the familiar “Blank Page Syndrome”!

By afternoon it was interesting to see what varied themes and collage techniques had emerged. Time was spent selecting the order of our individual folios before assembling them into 4 signatures which were then bound into a cover with the pamphlet stitch. At this point, we went home with an intriguing book that will evolve over time.

Possibilities for future development include unifying the images with swashes of gesso, stamping designs or messages, hand writing journal entries and even adding more collage to physically and visually connect the verso to the recto. The fascinating images will lead to reflections and more deliberate choices. Jane wrote in her epilogue that she hopes “this book helps you tune into this balance, this ebb and flow, and enjoy the pleasures of your own collage journey.”

Jane’s book is already in its second printing. Ask your local bookstore to order Collage Journeys by Jane Davies.

Our July meeting was a field trip to the University of Vermont’s Special Collection of artist books. Prudence Doherty, Public Services Librarian, provided us with an abundance of artist books that she selected from the Collection. After her informative and teasing introduction we had time to examine the books at our leisure. The artist books were beyond imagination in the variety and wealth of artistic vision expressed through the structure, text and illustration of the book form. Carolyn Shattuck, a B.A.G. member,had one of her books pulled from the collection for our viewing. In addition old and new books by Julie Chen’s Flying Fish Press were one of the highlights of the evening. One new member even enlightened us all with a explanation of the mathematical and architectural features of Julie’s new book True to Life. The evening ended too soon for most and left us all with a deeper appreciation for artist books.

You can view images from the trip to Special Collections on the B.A.G. blog.

Our collaborative B.A.G. book Lake, Land and People is complete and now on display in the Educational Center on the second floor of the ECHO Lake Aquarium and Science Center. It will be there through the summer as part of Burlington’s celebration of the Quadricentennial. The book has beautiful paste paper covers rich with blues and golds and texturized with a carved brayer made by Liz Kappel. The book’s structure is a flag accordion and has pages that can be viewed a few at a time or all at once when the book is extended. The book was unveiled at our July meeting. Special thanks go to Jen Alderman, Liz Kappel and Ann Joppe-Mercure for coordinating the project and constructing the book.

There’s more….! Prudence has accepted our book to become part of the UVM Special Collections to be part of their collection of artist books inspired by the Quadricentennial!

There’s still more…. according to Ann Joppe-Mercure:

We had an offer to buy the book from a Bruce Piasecki, founder and president of AHC Group, Saratoga Springs, NY 12866. He offered to buy the book if it were priced at $250 or under. I will email him and decline his offer, but you all should know the interest the book is getting. The AHC Group has been active in assisting organizations and individuals in the field of environmental and management strategy.

How’s that for a compliment!?
You can view images of the collaborative book on the B.A.G. blog.

• September: Design Bindings by Rebecca Coll
• October: Simple One Paper Book Structures with Amazing Possibilities by Liz Kappel
• November: Sharing of Design Binding challenge with Rebecca Coll and Post-it-Note Books workshop with Janet Ballantyne
• December: Annual Ethnic Potluck with Swap & Sale
• January: Sharing of challenges, projects & resources
• February: Personal Journey as a Book Artist by Nancy Stone
• March: Technology: Resources, Communication and Inspiration by Elissa Campbell

Note: If we have a book arts exhibition a meeting will be rescheduled to make a time to share the books in the exhibit.

There are many sad goodbyes that we have to make, but saying goodbye to the Book Arts Guild is one of the saddest. I have so much enjoyed getting to know and to work with all of you.

All the best to you all,
Rebecca

*** Scribble Collage workshop with Jane Davies:

Hi, All, again. I heard from a few of you who did not get the details in the original e-mail about my Scribble Collage workshop in Rupert this fall. I put the details after the image, and I guess they did not come through in everyone’s e-mail program. Here they are:

If you think you are “not artistic” or “can’t draw”, try drawing and painting with the intention of tearing up the results for collage! It is definitely in the category of dance-like-nobody-is-watching, and it’s a great way to engage your creative spirit. In this weekend workshop we create our own collage materials by making “paint playgrounds” and scribble drawings using acrylic, watercolor, crayons, pastel, oil pastel, charcoal, and other materials. We experiment with a variety of approaches to collage using these paintings-drawings as our foundation.

Dates: October 23 – 25, 2009
Friday: Check in any time after 4:00 p.m.
Dinner 6:30 p.m., opening session 8:00 p.m. – 9:30 p.m.
Saturday: Workshop session 9:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. with an hour break for lunch (lunch is included)
Sunday: Workshop session 9:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. with a lunch break (included)

Accommodations are at a guest house two miles down the road from my studio, next door to a general store. Each person has a private room, and there are shared baths and full kitchen facilities.

Cost is $495, which includes tuition, accommodations for Friday and Saturday nights, dinner on Friday, and lunch on Saturday and Sunday. I will stock the guest kitchen with stapes for breakfast (bread, milk, eggs, coffee, etc.) and provide a list of restaurants and other dinner options for Saturday night.

If you think you might be interested (without necessarily committing) please let me know asap. I will send out registration forms upon request. Space is LIMITED due to the size of my studio and capacity of the guest house, so sign up early!

Best to you all,
Jane

Jane Davies Studios
PO Box 45 / 66 Main St.
Rupert, VT 05768
(802) 394-2521
http://www.janedaviesstudios.com/
http://janedavies-collagejourneys.blogspot.com/

*** Friends of Dard Hunter Conference:

Hi everyone! I am new to your group.

I am the Vice President of Publicity and Outreach for the Friends of Dard Hunter and wanted to let everyone know that our annual conference is fast approaching. We are thrilled to announce that the 2009 Friends of Dard Hunter Conference information is now launched on our website www.friendsofdardhunter.org. Remember to refresh your screen on each page to receive the most recent information. All of the forms are downloadable PDF files, AND they are interactive. You may complete them in Adobe Acrobat and submit them directly on-line if you so desire. The one challenge is that when you complete your registration form and submit it on-line to our treasurer, Cecile Webster, you MUST remember your total. Then, click on the Buy Now button on the Annual Meeting page to pay with your credit card via PayPal. It is a single field that will ask you for the total amount. Not exactly seamless, but we’re still learning.

The one piece of information that is yet to be posted is the Member’s Exhibition. We are finalizing the information and hope to have it posted soon. If you have never attended one of our conferences this would be a good place to start! Hope to meet many of you in Atlanta!

Happy Papermaking and Bookmaking!
Shannon Brock

*** Garage Annex School: Come learn wire edge binding fundamentals from its inventor! You’ll find wire edge is a great solution for everything from a codex to a book sculpture.

Join us in Easthampton, MA, U.S.A. at the Garage Annex School for Daniel Kelm’s The Book Restructured–Wire Edge Binding. (If you click on the workshop title below you can go to our website and view a gallery of wire edge bindings.) You may register online using MasterCard or Visa, or you may download a PDF registration form and mail it with your check. (If you want to mail a check, email us to put your name on the list.) And please help spread the word by forwarding this message to friends and colleagues who would be interested to know about this workshop and the Garage Annex School. Thank you!

The Book Restructured–Wire Edge Binding with Daniel E. Kelm
August 15-16, Saturday-Sunday
Tuition: $195 plus materials: $25
Enrollment limited to twelve.

The range of books being produced today by artists is truly remarkable. Some diverge wildly from what we recognize as traditional book form, others play with slight variations.

If you’re interested in creating a nontraditional book (e.g., a book with thick pages, or a book that is sculptural), the achievement of your goal may require the use of a material or movement not possible with conventional structures. Wire edge hinging grew out of just such a challenge. This binding configuration utilizes a thin metal wire along the spine edge of each page. The metal wire is exposed at regular intervals creating knotting stations where thread attaches one page to the next. The result is a binding that opens exceptionally well, and gives you the option of producing unusual shapes.

During the two days we will look at various wire-edge structures useful for books, enclosures, and articulated sculpture. You will produce both a simple codex, and an accordion model that forms a tetrahedron.

*** 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.

*** VERMONT HAND CRAFTERS is looking for creative and artistic Vermonters as members. Membership applications must be postmarked by July 31, 2009 to be considered for the annual CRAFT VERMONT SHOW held at the SHERATON HOTEL AND CONFERENCE CENTER in S. Burlington the third week in November. This annual show is a long standing tradition in the Burlington area and is the largest event of Vermont-only artisans in the state attracting over 7000 customers from the greater New England area. Contact Shannon Greenlese – Jury Chair 802-899-3956 or Shannon@vermonthandcrafters.com.

NEW THIS YEAR: VERMONT HAND CRAFTERS is now accepting applicants for a newly created category called Alternative Craft. This category reflects the current trend towards green, recycled, and repurposed crafts. As with all other categories, the creativity and quality of the work is more important than the actual medium or technique used to produce it.

OTHER ACCEPTABLE CATEGORIES include: baskets; botanicals; decorative painting; digital art; fiber decorative; fiber wearable; furniture; glass; leather; metal; mixed media; paper; print-making; and wood. VHC is currently limiting new members in the following categories: photography; jewelry; fine art; ceramics; and aromatherapy/soap. Applications will still be accepted in these areas but may be reviewed more stringently for uniqueness as compared to the work of our current membership.

NEW MEMBER APPLICATIONS are available online at www.VermontHandCrafters.com. All applicants must be legal residents of Vermont who produce original handmade functional art and craft items. Applicants selected for membership will join a nurturing and inclusive community of Vermont’s best artists.

Book Arts Guild of VT blog: http://bookartsguildvt.wordpress.com

The Book Arts Guild of Vermont collaborative book, Lake, Land and People, is now on display in the Educational Center on the second floor of the ECHO Lake Aquarium and Science Center. It will be there through the summer as part of Burlington’s celebration of the Vermont Lake Champlain Quadricentennial.

Prudence Doherty, Special Collections Librarian

Images of collaborative book by B.A.G. members commemorating the Quadricentennial of Lake Champlain. Currently on display at ECHO Lake Aquarium and Science Center.