Use Your Journal! No.1

Posted on January 9, 2015 by sproutspress

Day 94/365

As you may have noticed from my previous post, I’m on a bit of a hand-lettering and calligraphy kick these days. I’m also enjoying the idea of a few posts that promote journalling, sketching and using journals in general. When I first had this idea I immediately pulled my quotes journal from the bookshelf, and decided to share a few of my favourite pages. I will admit that this is a big step for me, I don’t usually share the contents of my journals and sketchbooks. But these are just quick, pretty little notes that I jotted down in less than 10 minutes. And that’s the idea, you can do it too! You can find quotes all over the place: online, via a ‘quotes’ app (there are many!), at the library, etc. Sometimes the best are snippets of conversations overheard in passing, or by looking at groupings of book titles on shelves to see if they form a sentence. It’s also fun to pick up a book and open it to a random page and see what you get, like a box of chocolates! (Well, maybe not quite like chocolates, but you get the idea) Fun pens and markers are also a welcome addition. A bit of colour or shading can give your page just the right tone.

If you want to try this yourself here are a couple of tips:

-Choose a quote that isn’t too long, make sure it fits on the page and that there’s room for a border to be drawn around it.

-Make sure to jot down the author of the quote so you can give credit and search for more inspiring words by that person.

-You can put a ground of colour down first with markers (as in the last photo above), and then write your quote on top.

-Feel free to use a simple, minimalist border or to get more creative and swirly. Really whatever you feel like is what goes!

-Don’t try to make it too perfect, this is meant to be a quick exercise that is fun and enjoyable!

Do you have any other tips for quick quote-taking? Have fun!

Old-New

Posted on January 5, 2015 by sproutspress

Day 90/365

Today has been all about dusting off my old calligraphy stuff. It’s old in age, but new again to me! I’m starting pretty much from scratch, with some great titles from the library to inspire and guide me. I will admit that I actually dusted this stuff off during my OOAK prep as a way to find peace and calm amidst the chaos and stress. But it was short-lived and pretty much just the act of putting paper to pen. Now I’m focusing on my skills and the creative possibilities of hand lettering.

I’m hoping to use this as a springboard to more posts about growing skills to use your journals and sketchbooks. So, follow along and learn with me, I promise it’ll be fun!

Inspiring Things (these days)

Posted on January 3, 2015 by sproutspress

Day 88/365

After the conclusion of a large project, or the close of a busy holiday season I often find myself searching for what’s next. Obviously I’ve got all the ‘business’ things to keep the left side of my brain busy these days. But what about the next steps for the creativity that drives Sprouts Press, what will the next collection of journals be? What function will they serve or what questions will they answer, if any? Will they just be pretty objects that also happen to be books or something else?

I’ve found myself circling around a few topics and activities over the last couple of weeks that seem to be influencing these decisions. While I’m not going to share what they are, (yet, sorry!) I’d love to tell you how I reached them, with the hope that other kindred spirits are also on this type of quest and might find it useful.

So, this is what I do:

1. Go to the library. Take the library bag. Spend around 2/3 of the time in the non-fiction section and 1/3 in the fiction section. I like to choose books that are a combination of inspiring and instructional, and books on things that I’ve never tried before (ie. traditional Norwegian knitting!! So beautiful!). And while I probably won’t actually learn traditional Norwegian knitting, I will certainly enjoy the craftsmanship and detail of the pieces in the book.

Gather enough books to max out your library card. Seriously. (It doesn’t cost anything, unless you don’t return them on time. I *may* have done this once or twice). While it’s nice to know exactly what you want to look at, it’s so great to just wander the stacks and see what pops out, what titles catch your eye.

2. Drink tea in the sunshine. This one requires a bit more patience, for me anyways. To find a sunny window and really enjoy a cup of my favourite tea while not thinking about anything else, just the tea. I will be honest, it’s rare that I can do this for an entire cup of tea. Usually it’s just half the cup, then I get sidetracked/eager to look at my library books. I still enjoy the tea, but more in a gulping look-at-that-awesome-piece-of-artwork kind of way. In the summertime this is an outdoor/backyard/cafe patio activity!

3. Tidy up the workspace. I’ve said this before, but a tidy workspace really is so inviting when starting a new project. Everything is easily found and nothing needs to be moved out of the way to clear another corner of the desk. I suppose it’s the same idea with a journal; the blank page is uncluttered and prepped for your ideas and creativity.

On days when I do these things in the morning, I find the rest of the day just flies by with me working away and before I know it, it’s time to start dinner. I get completely lost in designing or creating or researching, and I love it! Give it a try and let me know how it goes.

Top 10 Good Things for Sprouts Press in 2014

Posted on December 31, 2014 by sproutspress

Day 85/365

I will admit that I make New Year’s resolutions, and for the most part I usually carry them out. Sometimes within the year, but sometimes they get ‘rolled over’ to the next year. Doesn’t matter, they will happen one way or another, when the time is right.

Today, however, I’ve been thinking a lot about all the great things that have happened with Sprouts Press over the last year and how grateful I feel about it all. I’m also thankful for the lessons I’ve learned throughout 2014. Some have been wonderful, some have been near misses, and some have been painfully head-on total mess-ups. It happens. I’ve learned and moved on.

Anyways, here’s a brief but enjoyable list of the good things for Sprouts Press in 2014:

10. This 365 blog project. Yup, this little project has taught me the value of time management. Planning/scheduling and has made me value all the hours in the day.

9. Joining the Arts Market as a vendor, effectively giving me a not-so-scary glimpse into having a retail space for creative wares.

8. Being featured as a bookbinder in a publication about bookbinding!! You may remember this post about my humble little page in the book: “The Little Book of Book Making” by Charlotte Rivers.

7. Having the opportunity to teach bookbinding right here in Toronto. I’m ever so grateful to the lovely ladies over at Graven Feather who host my bookmaking workshops with grace and enthusiasm. It’s a beautiful and welcoming space that you must check out if you’re in Toronto’s west end.

6. Seeing my creations available at various brick and mortar shops in Toronto, but also farther away, (like in the Strand Bookstore in NYC!! Woot!!). I’m looking forward to growing this area of my business next year, any suggestions are most welcome!

5. Being a part of the One of a Kind Christmas Show here in Toronto is an experience I’ve enjoyed, and I learned so much. The sheer size of the show was a challenge in so many ways; prepping inventory, designing and building a booth, organizing volunteers for breaks, and the list goes on. What I’m trying to say is that it was a great exercise and the lessons I learned are invaluable.

4. I wrote a business plan! If you follow me on social media you may remember my many posts and statuses about ‘phase 1’ and ‘Passed, now onto phase 4!!’, and various similar statements. And you may have been one of the people who participated in my market research survey (thank you so much for taking the time, it’s much appreciated!) Well, this had to do with the business program I am in. End result: I am a proud business owner with a 56 page business plan!!

3. The ability to sell my creations online, through Etsy and the One of a Kind Online shop. I know, this is a strange thing to say but just imagine the days before this was an option. I cannot. And, not that there’s much to compare with, but 2014 was my best year for sales on Etsy! Woot!!

2. This year, I’m grateful for all the amazing connections I’ve made with other small business owners and makers/artists/artisans. This leads into feeling like part of a real community both online and offline. Some people may not realize how important this is for artists, but it can often be a very solitary life. Finding people that I trust to accept advice from and share my experiences with is pretty fantastic.

1. And the number 1 good thing from 2014 is being able to take on Sprouts Press full time!!! Yaaaaaay!! This is a dream come true for me, it’s my passion and I cannot imagine not doing this!

Thanks to everyone who has helped me along the way in whatever ways you’ve been able! You know who you are, you awesome, amazing and generous people!!!

Bring on 2015!

The Studio on a Sunday

Posted on December 28, 2014 by sproutspress

Day 82/365

This is the studio on a sunday back in the fall. A great shot detailing the process of punching holes into leather, to be used as a closure for this journal. See similar journals here.

The pictured journal is a smaller cousin of the Indigo Coptic Journal featured in this post from a couple of weeks ago. It’s the same idea with the closure, just a different cover and sized journal!

Party at Paperhouse!

Posted on December 23, 2014 by sproutspress

Day 77/365

There was a festive party at Paperhouse Studio last weekend! And you know what that means . . . There was paper to be made as ornaments, prints to be pulled as gift tags and a few other crafty activities revolving around paper. My kind of party! The lovely Pam from Graven Feather was also there to guide us on using this cute little table top press.

A view of the many paper ornaments and garland, all made in house and by collaborating artists. And some other paper drying on the windows, because that’s the proper way to dry gampi paper. (seriously, it is. I’m not kidding).

It was really nice to kick back and enjoy an evening with fellow paper artists and printmakers! Also, Paperhouse hosts workshops throughout the year, check out their website to see what’s next!

The studio on a Sunday

Posted on December 21, 2014 by sproutspress

Day 75/365

In the studio today. It’s a day for getting everything organized and in order.

I’m hoping to change some studio things around in the new year. So tidying and getting my ducks in a row now is prudent (and kind of fun!).

The Coptic Indigo Journal

Posted on December 20, 2014 by sproutspress

Day 73/365

You may remember when I posted about the Indigo Journal back in October. I had shown a small journal created with my fancy-pants hand dyed indigo paper. Well, now I’d like to share this larger, one of a kind, really pretty variation: The Large Coptic Indigo Journal!

Measuring 8″ x 10″, with reclaimed leather and brass button closure, this is a pretty nice journal for sketching or writing full-out.

I managed to dig up some photos showing the hand-dying process, and I’m pretty sure I found the exact hand-dying of this sheet of paper!

And of course the hand dying was all done here in Toronto at Paperhouse Studios. While it is difficult to cut up these papers, especially after the work that goes into making them, it’s pretty fantastic seeing how the book cover acts as a frame, capturing a portion of the paper.

Last Chance for 2014!

Posted on December 16, 2014 by sproutspress

Day 70/365

Just a friendly reminder that tomorrow is the last bookbinding workshop I’ll be instructing for 2014! And there’s still time to register, if you’re quick!

Longstitch/Linkstitch Book Making
Wednesday December 17, 6pm – 9pm
Graven Feather, 906 Queen St. West

For more info and to register, go here.

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!