About sproutspress

As a bookbinder and artist, I like to live in a fairly analog world. I bind books by hand, with a needle and thread, I paint, draw. You get the idea. I blog about bookbinding, paper arts, crafting and other bookish goodness.

Upgrading the Coptic Journal

Posted on December 15, 2014 by sproutspress

Day 69/365

Sometimes I like to re-visit projects I previously thought finished. I’m going to share one today.

Remember these coptic bound journals? Well, I chose my favourites and recently gave them an upgrade. I’ve been listening to your requests for bookmarks in journals, and decided to test the market with these books.

And, the response has been positive! I love that the idea of re-vamping an already-bound journal. It really reminds me that these aren’t ‘finished’ journals, but rather artworks that are going to be completed by the person who fills them with words/sketches/ideas/etc. Theoretically they could continue to evolve into a completely different journal than when originally ‘completed’. This is part of the creative energy that keeps me going and moving forward – I love it!

Also, I love the dangly beaded fringe/tassels!

The Studio on a Sunday

Posted on December 14, 2014 by sproutspress

Day 68/365

Just kidding, I’m not in the studio today at all!

Today you can find me at my last show for 2014, the Wychwood Barns Holiday Arts Market! Just south of St.Clair on Christie here in Toronto.

I’ll be here till 6pm, there’s live music, drinks and a talented selection of other artists and artisans.

See you at the Annex Flea

Posted on December 13, 2014 by sproutspress

Day 67/365

Today I’m at the Annex Flea! Come by and get some holiday shopping done and avoid the mall.

CSI, 720 Bathurst St. (Just south of Bloor)
11am – 6pm

Linkstitch

Posted on December 12, 2014 by sproutspress

Day 66/365

This coming Wednesday I’m instructing my last bookbinding workshop for 2014! It’s the longstitch/linkstitch workshop at Graven Feather, and there are still a few spaces available.

-Wednesday December 17, 6pm – 9pm
-Graven Feather, 906 Queen St. West, Toronto

For more details and to register go here: https://www.uniiverse.com/events/longstitch-linkstitch-bookbinding-tickets-toronto-BB8SW

It’s been so great teaching my craft to those who are willing to give it a try.

Thanks to everyone who came out to workshops on 2014. I plan to continue the workshops next year, and have some special classes planned to change things up in 2015! Stay tuned for details!

Official Opening!

Posted on December 11, 2014 by sproutspress

It’s with great pleasure that I announce the official opening party of my new vendor space at Arts Market! I’m so pleased with my booth there, the lovely staff and the opportunity to host my book making workshops and classes on a regular basis. It’s the start of something great!!

This opening is to celebrate not only my own vendor space, but also a few other Arts Market ‘newbies’. We will be taking over the space for the evening and hope you’ll join us!

The details:
December 11, 2014 from 7:30pm – 9:30pm
Arts Market, 846 College Street, Toronto (just west of Ossington Avenue)

For more info, please take a look at our facebook event found here.

Wordless Wednesday 10.12.14

Posted on December 10, 2014 by sproutspress

Day 64/365

Top 5 Things I Learned at the One of a Kind Show

Posted on December 9, 2014 by sproutspress

Day 63/365

Top 5 Things I Learned at the One of a Kind Show:

1. Wear comfortable shoes, no one really looks at your feet anyways. Worst case scenario: kinda-comfy shoes with inserts or orthotics.

2. Eat healthy, eat often. Lots of tasty, healthy snacks saved me from becoming Cranky Carolyn!! (and, yes I’ll admit it, the occasional handmade almond toffee, or organic chocolate covered nougat)

3. Stay hydrated. In a place as large as the Direct Energy Centre, it gets dry fast! Luckily they had a huge drinking water station with several bottle-filling taps to rehydrate throughout the day. And with so many awesome body care makers at the show, it was impossible to have dry cracked skin! (yay new organic spearmint-eucalyptus lip balm!)

4. Listen. I learned so much from both customers and other makers by listening to their stories, advice and thoughts. So much has developed from these insights: I’ve already got new projects mulling for the new year, new booth design ideas for next Christmas and I learned some painful yet necessary lessons about when to speak up and when to stay quiet.

5. Enjoy it! I worked so hard to get this far, to design items I felt my customers would appreciate and get excited about, and to hand craft each book carefully to the best of my abilities. So why not share this and let my enthusiasm shine through?! It was so affirming to watch people search my display looking for just the right journal, asking questions and holding the books. Even more so when they found the right book, clutching it and then deciding to give it a new home either as the perfect gift for someone else or for themselves.

Still Tired

Posted on December 8, 2014 by sproutspress

Day 62/365

It’s the day after my first 11-day trade show and I’m still thinking about all the great interactions I had and the people I met. These are some great memories that I’m sure I’ll always remember. And I learned some tricks for trade shows, not all were learned easily. Stay tuned tomorrow for my top things learned about this experience! For now, it’s still relaxing time!

The End

Posted on December 7, 2014 by sproutspress

Day 61/365

It’s official: the One of a Kind Show is done! My booth is packed up and my house is a total disaster, but I had a blast!!

A huge Thank You to everyone who helped out!! It’s so very much appreciated! (You know who you are).

For now, I’m too exhausted to write anything insightful so I’m signing off and putting my feet up.

Second Last

Posted on December 6, 2014 by sproutspress

Day 60/365

The second last day of the One of a Kind Show is wrapping up, and I’ve had a blast!

It’s been so affirming to see my journals going to their new homes and people’s eagerness to give them to the perfect recipient. Buying a good journal really is a lot like shoe shopping. When the right one is in your hands you just know it.

Sprouts Press is here for one last day of fun, come out and say Hi and find your perfect journal!