Day 201/365
Today I’m vending at the Leslieville Flea. It’s the last indoor show of the year, in the Fermenting Cellar at the Distillery District here in Toronto.
I’ll be here all day with my handbound journals, bookbinding kits, book jewelry and hand printed fabric items. Stop by and say Hi!
For more information, check out the show website, go here.
Day 200/365
It’s the Wayzgoose Annual Book Arts Fair!
Today I’m in Grimsby celebrating my craft with other like-minded folks and selling my wares at the Wayzgoose. If you’re looking for a scenic day trip, an escape from the city or just something crafty and inspiration to do, head over to the Grimsby Public Art Gallery.
When: Saturday April 25, 9am – 5pm
Where: Grimsby Public Art Gallery, 18 Carnegie Lane, Grimsby Ontario.
For more information about the show and the gallery, check out their website here.
Day 195/365
It’s the best time of the year; time for the Wayzgoose!! I’m not even going to try and hide the fact that this is my most favourite show of the year, anyone who’s attended will understand.
This is an annual gathering of bookbinders, book artists, papermakers, printmakers, paper marblers, and anyone who makes things to do with these things. We all get together for the day to show our work, engage in shop talk and be inspired! It’s the best.
Traditionally a Wayzgoose is a feast held by a printing house for it’s employees. Today the Wayzgoose is a day-long fair, plus a gorgeous letterpress printed poster (like the one above by Graven Feather, of course!). And it’s also when the Wayzgoose anthology comes out, which is bound in a limited edition of 115 copies each year, with signatures from the vendors of the fair and local printmakers. Like I said, it’s pretty incredible! Check it out if you can, details below.
When: Saturday April 25, 9am – 5pm
Where: Grimsby Public Art Gallery, 18 Carnegie Lane, Grimsby, Ontario.
For more information, please visit the gallery’s site here.
Day 193/365
A bookbinding workshop in Burlington, Ontario!
I’m excited to announce that Sprouts Press has teamed up with the Burlington Public Library! I’ll be teaching how to hand craft your own journal at the Brant Hills Library brand new Bookbinding Hub!
When: Saturday May 9, 1pm – 4pm (just in time for mothers’ day!!)
Where: Brant Hills Library, 2255 Brant Street, Burlington
What: I’ll be teaching the Longstitch binding, each student will leave with a finished softcover journal.
Not only is this amazing because there is a Bookbinding Hub in a library (brilliant!!), but also because I once worked at the library, many moons ago. I’m really looking forward to this workshop, it’s going to be special!
To learn more and register, please visit the library’s website here.
Day 192/365
Today marks the start of the SpringPop Pop Up Shop & Maker Mart!
The show is located in beautiful downtown Burlington, right by the lake. Sprouts Press will have some items there: lots of styles of journals and sketchbooks large and small, some mini book necklaces, ex libris bookplates and bookbinding kits! There are so many talented artisans, artists and makers showcasing their work at this show, go and check it out if you’re able!
Where: 408 John St., Burlington, Ontario
When: April 17 *Opening: 6pm – 9pm, April 18: 10am – 6pm, April 19: 12pm – 5pm.
For more information, directions, etc, please go here.
Day 191/365
It’s allergy season here in Toronto, and who knows where else! Time to ditch the tissues and get some reusable, eco-friendly, handmade Hay Fever Hankies!! For a bit of wit, I’ve printed each hand sewn hanky with an image of a plant that causes allergies. You can choose from: Ragweed, Timothy/Hay or Crowsfoot!
Hayfever Hankies are on sale in my Etsy shop, here. Or in person at Freedom Clothing Collective on Bloor St West here in Toronto.
Day 189/365
I’ve put together a sweet little collection of journals for all the Mom’s out there that love to write, sketch, doodle, collage and, of course, make brag books about their kids!
I know my Mom has at least 2 journals on the go all the time. She has been one of my biggest supporters since the beginning of Sprouts Press! So, I’ve decided to put together a couple of collections of items that I think Moms like her might like. Everyone is different, of course, which is why I’ve planned for more than one collection, the second is coming out next week.
You can find these items online and some only in-person, for all the journalers/drawers who prefer to skip the digital transaction. See below for details.
From the top left, clockwise;
Fancy Coptic Journal: Light green florals and distressed text with vintage button and reclaimed leather. Has a surprise map page! Available exclusively on One of a Kind Online, go here for details.
Fancy Coptic Journal: Colourful and gold Florentine covers with golden vintage button and reclaimed leather. Only available in person at SpringPop, a pop up shop in Burlington: 408 John Street, Burlington, Ontario. April 17, 18 & 19, 2015. Go here for details.
Fancy Coptic Journal: Sweet florals in lilac and blue with matching vintage button and reclaimed leather, great size to fit in a purse or day bag. Has a surprise map page! Available on Etsy, go here for details.
Indigo Starburst Journal: Hardcover journal featuring hand-dyed indigo paper with ‘starburst’ stitching down the spine. A bit larger than the previous three books, also makes a unique and gorgeous album or scrapbook. Available on Etsy, go here for details.
Black and White Handbound Journal: A tall, handbound journal that features hand-dyed washi paper covers. A modern journal with a mix of page papers, great for sketching or writing. Available on Etsy, go here for details.
Day 175/365
Teaching others my craft is something I really enjoy. I’ve taught a few different workshops at a few different places and it’s always so much fun. I wanted to talk a bit about it today.
The next workshop is set for Saturday April 11 at Graven Feather here in Toronto. This is a creative bookmaking workshop for everyone and anyone; no previous art experience is required. Following a demo of basic paper decorating techniques, everyone gets to try them in a non-intimidating, supportive environment.
Then I’ll teach the Longstitch/Linkstitch technique, and everyone leaves with a finished project! This is one of my favourite stitches, it’s versatile, durable and beautiful!
The details of this workshop:
When: Saturday April 11, 2015. 10am – 1pm
Where: Graven Feather, 906 Queen St. West, Toronto
For more information and to register, please click here.
If you’ve taken one of my workshops then you know the satisfaction of finishing your first, from scratch, hand bound journal! If you’re a past student, I’d love if you took a moment to share your experiences below.
Day 165/365
It’s the Bellwoods Flea today!
There are two locations and I’ll be at 801 Dundas St. West, Hashtag Gallery.
The other location is just down the road at the Magpie, 831 Dundas St. West.
Come out and support local makers!
Day 156/365
I’m teaching another Creative Bookbinding workshop in one week at Little House in the City. That’s right, we listened to your requests and are offering a weeknight workshop in response!
Where: Little House in the City 555 Parliament Street, Toronto
When: Thursday March 19, 6:30pm – 9:30pm
To learn more and register, please go here.
Sprouts Press 