Monday, July 26, 2010

Ah, the smell of dust, cardboard boxes and packing tape.

I will definitely not miss the sound of packing tape being pulled across a box. You know, that sound, the sound I don't want to hear for a very long time.


We are about to move so there is not much movement with books as of late, but my seperation from my studio is pulling at me. Pulling so strongly that once I have my new studio up and running, I will once again be a book making machine.


So before I pause from the online world for awhile, I leave you with this.


It is the flyer of sorts that Feed the Children Canada sent to me along with the thank you note for donating a book to them, thus making enough money for 60 school lunches in Ethiopia.




Wednesday, July 7, 2010

Back to basics

Perhaps I should have begun this blog with a post concerning exactly why I make books and how I do just that.

The 'why'
Well, why not? I really love books. Not only for what they say but just books themselves. I like the smell of an old book borrowed from the library. I know this may sound odd. I love checking a book out and thinking about all the others who have borrowed this book before me. I love the feel of a brand new book, I hate opening the book up all the way and making that crease in the spine of a soft cover. I even have a hard time finishing a book, I find it sad, almost like breaking up with someone. I know, dont judge me.

Back to making books. I love knowing that Ive spent the time choosing the paper for the pages, choosing what stitch to use, choosing the cover paper, the end papers, any embellishments, all to end up in someone elses hands. That I am passing on part of me to them whether they know it or not.

The 'how'
I actually sew all of the pages together to make each book. I hand cut the pages to the desired size, I hand measure and cut the end pages, clamp the signatures with the endpages and glue them. I cut pieces of headbands and glue them to the spine, and sometimes I add a ribbon for a book mark before adding the headbands. I spread the archival glue along the cover paper with my glue spreader (thats the offical name), I fold the paper around the corners of the davey board. I take the bulk of the book and attach it to the cover, clamp it again and let it dry.

Ive just sat for hours working on a book and was tired of doing so, but typing this all out just gave me my second wind. Ill forget this tomorrow after sitting in my studio, after the 3rd hour, I lose the passion for it and ache to just sit in front of the tv and waste time on a comfy couch.

Its late and I have one, actually hopefully three books to finish by Friday night.

Sunday, July 4, 2010

What if the hokey-pokey IS what its all about?

Nah, it can't be.

For the past few days I have been working on two photo boards to hang up for a family reunion. Trying to make sure I've included everyone, making sure I could manage to sneak in a few of my personal favorite photos. I had trimmed the photos smaller than they originally were in order to fit them all and then realized I could space them and fit even more!

Then came the typing of the labels: names of those in the photos. But the worst part was cutting out the tiny little labels. My hands shrunk in after all the work. You see, if I had a label maker I would not have this problem. But then Id be the weirdo labelling EVERYTHING I own lol.

So that is done and I can get back to BOOKS! I am about half way through a 9 book custom order. Im really enjoying this order. Although I dont know those who will receive the books, I feel connected to them some how. I cannot wait to see not only the expression of the person who ordered the books, but to hear the reaction of those who the books were made for.

I like knowing that Im sharing a piece of me with others.

A friend of mine moved literally half way across the world to an area that is quite different than here in Canada or the US for that matter. Her plan is to make sure she nails the language and then teach there. Before she left she bought two books of mine, one for herself and one to give to a future student. Knowing that someone on the other side of the planet will own and use something that I lovinly made..well its the coolest feeling ever!

PLUS I found out that the book I donated to Canada Feed the Children raised enough money for 60 school lunches in Ethiopia! I was so happy to find this out!

SO this good feeling you get when sharing a part of your self or donating something so small to you but so important somewhere else, THATS what its all about.



Listening to: K'naan Waving Flag (how cheesily appropriate, but true)

Thursday, July 1, 2010

Roundtheworldin80pgs is adding inventory soon!







Here are a small sample of the items in Roundtheworldin80pgs !
I've been working hard on a 9 piece custom order and am really
proud of how its coming...photos to be posted. Ive ordered even
more Japanese paper, including a black and red lacquered paper.
I will have a short pause on adding to the store as I am moving at
the end of this month, but although I won't be online, I will be in my
studio as much as possible!!
Dont forget to get some reading done!
Listening to: I've got a woman by Ray Charles