Day 350/365
The week or two leading up to a favourite show is a heady mix of excitement, panic, anticipation and bliss. At least for me it is.
I hope you’ll join me next Saturday, September 26 at the MaRS Building here in Toronto, to stop by and say Hello and check out all the amazing things being made, by hand, right here in the city.
Check out the facebook event page for details, here.
Day 349/365
This past week I’ve been in full swing preparing for Etsy: Made in Canada, Toronto edition at the MaRS building.
I’ve been working hard at re-designing some of my books and I can’t wait to share the new and improved Adventure Journal with you at the show!
This is a small sampling of what many Adventure Journals looks like! These guys aren’t quite done yet, but almost there. I love how each is a bit different from the maps on the covers to the scuffs and nicks in the reclaimed leather closures. These are my favourite journals!!
Day 348/365
Some Autumn-inspired items to ease the transition to cooler weather, the changing colour of leaves and days spent cozy with your journal.
Clockwise from top left:
Starburst Journal in dapper grey tweed, Screenprinted Linen Zipper Pouch with burgundy Queen Anne’s lace, Fancy Coptic Journal in green and brown Florentine, Medium Fancy Coptic Journal in cream and brown, Secret Belgian Journal in brown Florentine, Mini Book Necklace, Medium Fancy Coptic Journal in deep brown.
Day 347/365
In just over 1 week it’s Etsy: Made in Canada!! I’m so excited to be a part of the fun, and there are some extra surprises planned this year!! (Stay tuned for details over the next week!!)
In the meantime, check out the vendor lookbook and do some pre-show shopping! And, if you’re an early bird, get in line early to be one of the first 100 visitors to get a swag bag packed with goodies, for FREE!!! (again, early bird gets the worm!)
For more info and details, check out the Toronto Etsy Street Team site here.
Day 346/365
Please welcome some new handbound beauties into my Etsy shop: Hand Dyed Fancy Coptic Journals! I think of these two books as being part of the same series because the covers are more sparsely dyed than some of the other hand dyed books. I didn’t put a leather closure on either of them for that exact reason: I didn’t want any hardware to interfere with the composition on the front.
To learn more about these books, click here for the top book pictured and here for the bottom one.
Day 345/365
Day 343/365
This past weekend was a whirlwind of bookbinding fun! I was lucky enough to teach two workshops in two different cities to groups of enthusiastic participants!! Everyone was eager to learn and share their creative spirit, while supporting one another to create beautiful pieces. 
It’s a lot of work to offer these workshops and I often leave exhausted. But at the same time I’m always fulfilled by the joy on everyone’s faces when they realize what they’ve just made. I’ve been told that I ‘make it look so easy’, but I know the angst of the beginner bookbinder; we all started somewhere. To spend a few hours in concentration, hand crafting a book (which can be a bit challenging at times), and then emerging at the end of the class, holding a finished piece that is uniquely your own. Well, it’s magical!
In short, seeing everyone leave with a smile while clutching their handmade treasures is so gratifying. And I thank everyone who’s ever come out to one of my classes, eager and open to learn!
And of course, a big Thank You to the awesome, amazing organizations that hosted these workshops: Graven Feather and the Burlington Public Library!
If you didn’t get to attend one of these classes but really wish you had, there are more lined up, please see below. (Please note that the Graven Feather workshop sold out last time. So if you’re hoping to join me for the second round of the Arrow Stitch workshop, register early!)
Hard Cover Arrow Stitch Journal Workshop
When: Saturday November 7, 10am – 1pm
Where: Graven Feather 906 Queen Street West, Toronto
For more information and to register, go here.
Coptic Binding Workshop
When: Saturday October 17, 1:30pm – 4:30pm
Where: Burlington Public Library, Brant Hills Branch 2255 Brant Street, Burlington, Ontario
For more information please go here.
Day 342/365
Did you know I send out a monthly eNewsletter? I write about all sorts of things: my latest projects, creativity tips, upcoming workshops and events, and other fun goodies!
If you’re not already a subscriber, now’s the time to sign up as the September newsletter goes in just a couple of days. If you already subscribe, maybe you know someone who’d love to read about what I do, handbound books, and leading a creative life.
To sign up, just go here and fill out the form.
Day 341/365
Studio Sunday goes on the road today! I’m at Graven Feather giving a workshop on the Arrow Stitch Binding and I’m really looking forward to it! This Queen West gallery/studio is a beautiful and cozy space, perfect for learning a creative skill in a friendly environment!
It’s a sold out event, so if you wanted to join us but missed out, don’t fret. There are other dates coming up this fall, for this workshop and others! Just go here to see a list of scheduled workshops.
Day 340/365
That’s right folks, only 2 weeks till Etsy: Made in Canada!! I’m super excited and have been working away on some new items just for the show. No reveals just yet, only a quick note so you can save the date!What: Etsy: Made in Canada Toronto
Where: MaRS Building, 101 College Street, Toronto (right by Queens Park subway station)
When: Saturday September 26, 10am – 6pm.
If you want to get a sneak peek at what to expect, take a look at the vendor lookbook for this year’s show here.
And if Toronto isn’t local to you, check out the main Etsy; Made in Canada page to find a show near you! (This show is country-wide, all on the same day!)
Sprouts Press 