Weather Kiosk at The Humboldt County Library

When Bonnie set up the current Humboldt County Library kiosk on Weather I'm certain she had no idea that this was going to be such a relevant topic. It was announced today that just north of Garberville, about an hour south of Eureka, Highway 101 is closed for two weeks (there is hope that a single lane will be open soon). A landslide caused severe buckling of the pavement—a direct result of the heavy rains of the last week. We do have "weather" here in Humboldt County and some of these books will illustrate just that. Do take the time to visit the kiosk behind the main desk of the library. We should have some sun this week!

Triangle Books with Pop-ups Workshop

This is a fun and simple book. The secret is in how you choose to decorate it and what text or background you add. Those of you who have made circle books in the past will recognize this structure.

You will need to bring the following materials:

• 4 pieces of 8 1/2" x 8 1/2" cardstock. If you would like, print text or

a background photo on the card stock.

• 2-4 pieces of decorative papers. Coordinate colors to match

your cardstock.

• Old stamps, stickers or printed goodies that are 2" x2" or less

• Double-sided tape or PVA, brush and wastepaper

• Bone folder

• X-Acto knife (or craft knife of your choice)

• Cutting mat

• Pencil, eraser

• Metal ruler

Live links from the April newsletter:

1.  Book of Art: photostream of paper cutting to alter books. Check out the infinity book.
2. History of Miniature Books: University of Missouri-Columbia.
3. Reuse of Books: From Inspiration Green. These are amazing!
 

Opportunities Abound

Paul Johnson workshop, San Francisco Center for the Book

When this editor (Michele O.) first joined NORBAG I knew little about the art of making books. The monthly workshops helped me grow by leaps and bounds and I was always amazed at how creative our members were with their ideas—this is still the case today! I also had the good fortune to have a daughter who lived six blocks from the San Francisco Center for the Book and I took a number of one to two day courses that allowed me to fully immerse myself into the art of making books. Spending hours with a group of artists exploring the myriad topics involved in book arts is a luxury akin to long bubble baths and I highly recommend it. Since then I've enjoyed many in-depth workshops and would encourage those of you who might be interested in more extensive instruction to consider participating in the following upcoming or ongoing events, all recommended by members:

• The Newport Paper Arts Festival, April 15-17, 2011. Newport Beach Oregon. NORBAG members attend every year as students or teachers.
• Focus on Book Arts, June 22-26. Forest Grove, Oregon. NORBAG members attend every year as students or teachers. Housing is available on campus.
• San Francisco Center for the Book, ongoing 
• San Diego Book Arts, ongoing
• Art and Soul, venue varies
• An Artful Journey, Santa Cruz Mountains.

There are also classes a little closer to home:

• DJ Pettitt, Jacksonville, Oregon.
• Art for the Young at Heart, Arcata, California. Adults 50 and up. Taught by Maureen McGarry and a project of the Ink People. 
• Art is...You, September 22-27, Petaluma, California

March Workshop--Stiff Leaf Binding

A Stiff Leaf Structure book is made of “hard” pages from illustration board that is put together with hinges made of book cloth. The pages can include decorative papers, photos with or without paper frames, or ephemera. This is a book that is glued together, not sewn.

Materials needed:

6 pieces of illustration board cut to 4" x 5" each grain long [see note about board at end].

Jig made of illustration board cut to 1⅛" x 5¾" inches for book cloth template.

Extra piece of illustration board for use as a spacer
(spacer will be 1 board thickness).

Heavy triangle or ruler to use as a straight edge.

12 pieces of 4" x 5" paper to cover boards, grain long. [Note: grain of paper should be in the same direction as the grain of the illustration board]. Text, illustration and papers etc can be added when your book is completed.

Glue stick and PVA—if you do not have PVA, there will be some available.

Glue brush for PVA.

Jar or container to rinse brush.

Waste paper for gluing.

X-acto Knife or craft  knife.

Scissors and basic workshop tools including a cutting mat and ruler.

Optional:

Book cloth if you have a particular color scheme going.

Marker to color the edges of illustration board.
Weights or a clean brick or pieces of board to weight your boards after gluing if you have this available.

Dolores will supply book cloth in the color swatch sent in the newsletter. We will have a board cutter available if you would like to cut your board at the meeting. Please come early to cut boards before the workshop begins as there is lots of gluing to be done.

  

Note: Illustration board is available at both Ellis Engineering in Eureka, and at the Art Center in Arcata. (If you go to Ellis, be sure to mention your NORBAG membership so you can receive your 10% discount.) A piece of illustration board is 15 x 20" and costs about $2.50 a sheet.

When you first get the board, bend it ever so slightly to determine grain. The direction that bends the easiest is the direction of the grain; mark this direction with parallel lines about 1 inch apart. Now, when you cut up the board you only need to look at your pencil marks to know in which direction the grain runs. Do the same with your decorative paper.

You will also need illustration board for the June workshop so you can buy a full sheet.

Please RSVP by Wed. March 9 to Michele K. Contact details are in the newsletter or directory.