BOUND TOGETHER IN PENNSYLVANIA

A number of mini NORBAG groups have sprung up in various parts of the country. The Pennsylvania group, Bound Together (BT), has nine members and has been active since 2004. Six members also belong to NORBAG with several of them participating in our monthly exchanges.

The BT group began with six members and five of them are still in the group. To date they have completed over 40 projects. They meet four times a year at each others homes and have a holiday gathering usually in January at a nice BYOB restaurant. They started out making an edition of the chosen topic so that each member would receive a copy plus one to archive. Last year they decided that was too much so now they exchange with only two members at a time and skip the archive copies. With this system they figured out that it would take two years for everyone to receive a book from each member. Once a year they also make a collaborative book where the rules are set for size, type of paper, etc. and then they get together to exchange contributions and bind their own copy.

Mary Elizabeth Nelson (NORBAG member since 2011) has shared some wonderful exchange books and ideas with us. She sent the following photos of boxes that she made for her exchange partners this month. Mary Elizabeth received one of these Treasure Boxes in a NORBAG exchange a couple of years ago and now the structure will be passed on to her BT group. The theme for this exchange is Gems and Jewels so she chose to feature the birthstone of the two recipients.

Mary Elizabeth recently learned how to make these beautiful cords
that compliment the structure.

Garnet was the birthstone used for this box.

Paste papers were used for both boxes with aquamarine featured here.

According to Mary Elizabeth the group tries to exchange ideas and teach each other some structures and techniques, but they also enjoy the social aspects of getting together to share their interest in book art. Here are a few of their exchange themes:

• Gardens (boxed) 2010
• Spices & Herbs (collaborative) 2011
• Grab Bag Stories 2011
• Travel 2011
• Pop-up Books 2011
• Natural Environments (collaborative) 2012
• Charles Dickens 2012
• Bridges 2012
• Postcards/Correspondence 2013
• Setting the Table (collaborative) 2013
• Silence 2014
• Inspiration 2014
• The Beach 2014
• Bird Book (collaborative) 2014
• Frakturs (collaborative) 2015
• Deck of Cards 2015
• Paper Weaving 2015
• The Seasons (collaborative) 2015

We would love to hear from more mini groups of NORBAG members who get together in other parts of the country. Many thanks to Mary Elizabeth for providing us with this information and the photos of her beautiful boxes.