Some exciting news!

Posted on August 19, 2014 by sproutspress

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Remember a while ago when I said I had some fun and exciting projects in the works, but that I couldn’t share them just yet? Well, now I can!

So, here’s my first exciting news; I’ve been featured in this awesome (and gorgeous) just-published book! Titled “Little Book of Book Making”, by Charlotte Rivers. It’s packed with ideas and inspiration, full-page artist features, and a tutorials section at the back. And it showcases book artists from around the world, some really great bookbinding, I highly recommend checking it out! (Not that I’m biased or anything!)

Stay tuned for more exciting news to come . . . . very soon, I promise!

Your two cents

Posted on August 9, 2014 by sproutspress

As you may already know, I’m taking some time to build the business side of Sprouts Press. I think it’s an important part of being sustainable and growing to meet my (many) book-tastic goals!

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With that in mind, I’ve put together a little survey to gather some market research.

Yay for surveys!!

If you have a few spare minutes, I’d love to get your input. It’s a total of ten questions and shouldn’t take longer that 7 minutes or so.

Click here to see what it’s all about and give your two cents.

Thank you!

Summer Sunset Market

Posted on July 16, 2014 by sproutspress

Some fun on a Thursday evening; I’ll be vending my hand bound journals, book themed jewellery and hand printed fabric items at the first Toronto Indie Arts Market ‘Summer Sunset Series’!! Come out after dinner for an evening stroll and stop by the Gladstone Hotel for a drink and to soak up the handmade wares in the Ballroom.

We’ll be there from 7pm till 11pm and admission is FREE!

Happy Holidays (in July)

Posted on July 10, 2014 by sproutspress

Yes, that’s right – I’m having a summertime sale in my Etsy shop! It starts today and runs till July 20, 2014!

There are lots of ways to save: you can use coupon code ETSYCIJ14 at checkout to get 15% off orders $40 and over. Or you can head to my all new Sale Section to get a deal on a new journal (and no, this section isn’t just the leftovers of days gone by, there are new items in there that haven’t been listed online before – YA!)

Last but not least, I know there are some of you that really enjoy my Starburst Book Ornaments. Since this sale is coinciding with the Etsy-wide ‘Christmas in July’ sale I’ve decided to bring them back for a limited time. You’re welcome, (and Merry Christmas? Is that said in July?) and get them while they’re still available.

Thoughts while Taming the Mint

Posted on July 2, 2014 by sproutspress

It’s officially summer and I’m working on new products and designs and a few special, secret projects. You may remember in my last post I mentioned some secretive, mystery projects and that I couldn’t spill the beans about just yet . . . well, I still cannot spill the beans! Sorry! (Happy belated Canada Day!)

Anyways, while getting out in the garden to tame the mint a bit and stake my tomatoes, I find myself thinking about what is next. This seems to be a good starting point for me, to get away from the studio and reminisce about my latest projects through the lens of intention rather than final product. It’s always interesting to go through the process of creating something, but it’s also interesting to step back and look at what happened after the fact. I like the idea of trying an idea a second or even third time to see what I’ll end up with and how different it’ll be from the first final product. I guess I’m really just stating the obvious, as this is usually intrinsic to creativity, but I think it’s worthy of mentioning anyways.

Here are some of my garden-induced thoughts: I’m working out some new re-designs for hardcover books, that incorporate a bit of leather and some fancy paper by yours truly. But I’m also contemplating my full leather journals and realizing that they’ve all been limp bindings/softcovers, no hardcover leather journals.

So, I put together a little collection of some of my favourite leather bindings, which I realize now really focus on the stitching along the spine. Some of the bindings are longstitch/linkstitch, some are variations of this and some are totally made up by myself. While it’s enjoyable and satisfying, it’s also a learning curve, and I do love a good challenge.

Brainstorms and Dreams

Posted on June 18, 2014 by sproutspress

Earlier this year I found myself really enjoying the bustle of last year’s holiday show schedule. I loved the planning, the preparation, the craft and market shows – all of it. So, at the start of 2014 I decided that I wanted to go big or go home with this small business stuff. Time to get real. Time to dig my feet in and see where I could go if I gave it my all. Well, I’ve been working really hard on a few projects to make that happen, and now, well, I wait to see if everything will fall into place. And if not, don’t fret, I’ve got backup plans. And backup plans for the backup plans (perhaps this type of thing is why I started making my own journals in the first place? In my opinion, brainstorms and dreams are well-deserving things for handmade journals!) I cannot spill the beans just yet, but soon enough.

In the meantime, I’m going the share the evolution of my coptic stitched journals. I figure it’s only fair since I cannot share my own journey right now.

This group of four is a good representation of my earlier explorations with the coptic binding. I did things like folding washi paper on covers to create interesting effects with translucent layers, incorporating beading into the covers (who doesn’t love colourful shiny things?!). And ending with the start of my latest experiments with the coptic binding: using my rather large collection of fancy papers on the covers with little mini-endpapers inside.

This group represents my latest experiments; the fancy papers as mentioned above, but with spine protectors, reclaimed leather and vintage buttons to keep it all together. I love how beautiful and functional these are, and the tidiness of them.

Stay tuned!

Saturday April 12 I’ll be at the Toronto Indie Arts Market!

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Next!

Posted on April 10, 2014 by sproutspress

It’s been two weeks since the One of a Kind show started, and I feel I’m as rested as I’m going to be. So much awaits that I cannot sit still for long. I’m talking about things like new projects, re-vamped designs and SPRING!! (I will admit, I’ve got both my winter and spring jackets out. I’m just not quite convinced I won’t need the winter one at least once more).

I’ve got some re-vamped goodies in the works, just in time for spring: new Hayfever Hankies! Yup, they’re back and just in time, too! This batch will be available in white, pistachio, grass green and mocha. It comes in three lino cut designs, the usual suspects of hayfever; ragweed, timothy/hay and crowsfoot. Look in the ‘Handprinted Fabric Items’ section of my online Etsy shop in the next few days.

I’m also slowly but surely getting some of the brand new designs you may have seen at the One of a Kind show up in my Etsy shop. To keep up to date on this, follow my facebook or other social media feeds here.

Meanwhile, if you’re in Toronto I’ve got two shows this weekend, check out the Upcoming Shows section of my site for details!

The end of the day

Posted on April 3, 2014 by sproutspress

Just wanted to take a minute to thank everyone who came out and supported Sprouts Press at the One of a Kind Show last week. It was fantastic to meet so many of you and put faces to the names I’ve seen online. I’m still unpacking and organizing my studio, so I’ll put together something a bit more in depth soon. For now, a simple Thank You is in order.

Some wonderful things have come out of the show, so I’ll keep you up to date as they unfold. In the meantime, I think spring might be just around the corner . . .

Around the Corner

Posted on March 24, 2014 by sproutspress

If you’ve been following my (rather sparse) posts lately, you already know that I’m an exhibitor in this year’s One of a Kind Show and Sale. I’m pretty excited about this, it’s the largest craft & artisan show I’ve ever participated in, and it’s right here in Toronto! As well as my enthusiasm I’m also a bit nervous, especially in the last minute tasks leading up to the official opening. In reality though, I’m pretty well on schedule and organized.

This is pretty good for me.

No last-minute rushing around frantically. No middle-of-the-night realizations that I forgot to, gasp, order business cards or bring a chair or something like that. Nope, I’m organized and on schedule. That is, until I got my eureka idea for the perfect series of books to bind, last minute of course!

My creative side took charge and the schedule changed! I was no longer on schedule. But now as I finish up these new additions, I have a new plan, and I’ll leave you with some photos of what you can expect to see at my booth (K20G in the Etsy section).

Lots of new designs and variations on some classic bindings.

I’m pleased with how everything has turned out and how the collection as a whole feels connected through materials, colour and transition.

I drew on the changing of seasons for inspiration; winter to spring, bleak to bright, cozy to light, old to new.

I think the growth of this transition is visible across the table, and I couldn’t be more delighted!

If you plan to attend the show and don’t have tickets, click here to get a discounted ticket! I’ll be in the Etsy section at booth K20G. The show runs from March 26 – 30 and if you have any further questions, please visit the show website here.

Hope to see you there!