Opportunities

Posted on September 24, 2015 by sproutspress

Day 353/365

Today I’m talking about opportunities to learn bookbinding. If you missed registering for one of the classes at this weekend’s Etsy: Made in Canada show*, no worries! I’ve got several more chances for you to learn the art and craft of bookbinding.

*I am teaching a now-sold out 1-hour class at the show, free to visitors who managed to snag a spot at the pre-registration, which happened online.

Bookbinding Workshop – Coptic Binding
Learn how to craft your own hand bound, hardcover journal using discarded library books. Deconstruct a book and repurpose it into a new journal, using the coptic stitch to bind the book. Perfect for anyone looking to brush up on their coptic binding skills.
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.

Bookbinding Workshop
In this creative class, students will first learn basic expressive techniques to decorate paper and then how to transform this into soft cover hand bound books. This is a hands-on class, everyone will leave with two finished projects.
When: Sunday October 18, 10am – 4pm
Where: Guelph School of Art, 12 Wyndham Street North, Guelph
For more information and to register, please go here.

Longstitch/Linkstitch Bookbinding Workshop
This workshop will introduce you to the basic process of hand decorating paper for use as book covers, and then how to incorporate it into a hand bound book using the Longstitch Linkstitch technique.
When: Saturday October 24, 10am – 1pm & Sunday December 13, 1pm – 4pm
Where: Graven Feather 906 Queen Street West, Toronto
For more information and to register, go here.

Hard Cover Arrow-Stitch Journal Workshop
Learn how to craft your own hand bound, hardcover journal. This workshop will introduce you to the tools of the trade, materials, and techniques to make a hard cover book. Using an arrow stitch to bind the book, everyone will leave with a finished project!
When: Saturday November 7, 10am – 1pm
Where: Graven Feather 906 Queen Street West, Toronto
For more information and to register, go here.

End of Summer Sale!

Posted on September 22, 2015 by sproutspress

Day 351/365

Just a friendly reminder that I’m having an End of Summer Sale in my Etsy shop! Sale runs until the end of the month, see it here. Otherwise, read on for details.

Clockwise from top left:
Little Leather Journal in black reclaimed leather with vintage button, Mini Journal in two-tone yellow, Screenprinted Linen Pouch with thistles in aqua blue, Screenprinted Linen Tea Towel with thistles in aqua blue, Screenprinted Linen Pouch with queen anne’s lace in burgundy.

The week before a show

Posted on September 21, 2015 by sproutspress

Day 350/365The 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.

The Studio on a Sunday

Posted on September 20, 2015 by sproutspress

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!!

Etsy: Made in Canada, 1 week away!

Posted on September 18, 2015 by sproutspress

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.

New In the Shop

Posted on September 17, 2015 by sproutspress

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.

Big Thank You!

Posted on September 15, 2015 by sproutspress

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.

Newsletter Sign-Up Time!

Posted on September 14, 2015 by sproutspress

Day 342/365Did 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.

The Studio on a Sunday

Posted on September 13, 2015 by sproutspress

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.

T-Minus 2 Weeks!

Posted on September 12, 2015 by sproutspress

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!)