Concertina Book

3/01/2010 10:31:00 AM Posted In Edit This 13 Comments »
Yesterday my good friend Vicki and I went to Hollanders  www.hollanders.com (I don't know how to do that "click on it and you go there"  thing so I have to put in the url) which is a spectacular paper store in Ann Arbor and took a class on how to make a concertina book.  It was taught by Christine Reising and David Burkam ( moonmothpress.etsy.com ) and they were just wonderful.  The idea was to use a found book, remove the spine and replace it with an accordian folded spine, and replace the inside with new signatures made with art paper.  The paper we used for the new signatures is called Somerset (I think that's how it's spelled) and it comes from England.  I was initially going to bring my own paper to do the signatures because I want to be able to use watercolor in this book, but then I decided that since the cost of the paper was included in the price, I'd rather try out a new paper.   I knew I'd be making another concertina book and I can use my own paper in that one.  After I try out the new paper, I'll let you know what I think of it.

Besides being most excellent and patient teachers, they brought many examples of books they've made (and sell on their Etsy site), and I have to tell you, those books were absolutely spectacular!  One of them even had a beautiful handmade fabric bag to hold it that was just so lovely.  I wanted them all!

My book is very modest - I just couldn't find anything in my stash that was really interesting that I wanted to cut apart.  But, I don't really mind all that much since it's my first one and I didn't have to worry about ruining it.  So, here it is!

 


  


By the way, if you click on "Faint Heart Art" on the left under blogs I follow, you can see Vicki's wonderful book!

13 comments:

Terrill Welch said...

Oh my Nancy, I am going to have to explore this idea further. I am looking for interesting ways to make journals that will include creative inspirations (such as the sprout questions on my blog and my photography). This idea might be a good fit.

Anonymous said...

Your book looks wonderful. Workshops
and classes on bookbinding rarely happen here so I am trying to learn on my own. I have not seen the sort of binding you have done and I shall be waiting to hear how it pleases you in use!

Anonymous said...

Nancy -- I love this style of book and you've done a wonderful job. You're inspiring me to jump in there and give it a try.

Julie Jordan Scott said...

Beginning book making is one of my new art techniques(I have a goal this year to learn 10 new techniques)... I am hungry to learn more. This one looks great, I am so glad you shared it!

Vicki Holdwick said...

Hi Nancy,

I still think your book is beautiful and elegant.

To do the link to a word, write out the word in your blog and then select it, go up to the word "Link" next to the picture upload and click on it. A window will open where you put the url.

Let me know if it works for you.

xoxo

Minerva said...

Beautiful book Nancy, I wish you many hours of sketch-and-paint joy with it!

Coffee Messiah said...

You did a nice job.

I keep wanting to take a class there, but after May due to the drive.

Besides, it also gives a chance to go to Zingermans. And I did not know, on my 1st trip there last year, that Hollanders is only a block or 3 away ; (

Cheers!

Sandra said...

You and Vicki made super books. Unique treasures.

Timaree said...

Sounds like an interesting book. I would make my own covered boards since I don't have books to cut apart. I wonder though, do the books stay closed at the spine or do they flare? Do they spread out when you open the book?

Anonymous said...

Just love the decorated spine and the colours you've chosen.

Kirstin said...

I love your book and the colors for the spine are great. It looks as though you and Vicki had a great class. I am definitely going to have to take a class from them sometime. Thanks for sharing.

Norena Fox said...

Great book. I have to learn this!

ffyrebird said...

This looks like such an interesting book. I especially like how the colors you chose look at the spine.