HOLIDAY MEETINGS

 Ready or not, the holiday season is upon us. In December we will offer two opportunities for meetings. both on the same day. In lieu of a workshop at our usual 10 a.m. Zoom meeting on December 13, we will show the cards that are in this year's holiday exchange. We would also like to extend an invitation to those attending the Zoom meeting who did not participate in the exchange to show a card and/or a holiday project to share with our members. At noon on the same day, we will have a local in-person social gathering to celebrate the joys of the season and see the cards that are in the holiday card exchange. 

Sandy V. has once again graciously opened her lovely home in Arcata for our local members to get together to share goodies, see the exchange cards, and have time to chat with each other. It is not necessary to have made a card to come.

Most of the holiday cards that have been shared through the years are timeless, so here is a sampling of some from years past.

What:    Holiday Card Exchange

When:   Saturday December 13

Where:  At 10 a.m. PST on your computer, tablet or smartphone via Zoom AND/OR in person at the home of Sandy V at 12 Noon

RSVP:   Dolores Guffey by Dec. 8 to receive the password for Zoom or directions to Sandy's home

Zoom Questions:  Bobbie Hayes

Contact information is in the newsletter

Michael Jacobs

 We are sad to report the news that Michael Jacobs, a well-known book artist, died in September of 2025 in Washington State. Michael taught bookmaking and paper craft workshops in the United States and Canada.

He was born in California and grew up in Santa Monica. At the age of 11, he received a leather craft kit, and this was the beginning of his interest in creative arts. He took workshops and training in photography, paper making, metal work, bookbinding and other arts. In 1988 he obtained a Commercial Art Degree with Honors from Seattle Central Community College.

His career progressed from being the owner of The Leather Works in Santa Monica (1968 to 1975) to working in mixed media crafts and sculptures (1975 to 1986). He was the owner and designer of Dimensional Graphics in Seattle, making paper sculptures, props and signage (1988-1993), the Co-Owner and Art Director of The Creative Zone in Seattle, producing, multi-media artist books, sculptures, and paper craft kits (1993 to 2009).

His artist books have been in private collections across America since 1973. In 1990, Michael designed and fabricated the World's Largest Photo Album (including 7,500 photos and weighing 228 pounds) for the Kodak Goodwill Games.

 In March 2008, NORBAG was privileged to have him come to Eureka to teach 3 workshops: "Spirit Book" “Strap Journal" and "Offbeat Books".

 Michael wrote three books on book projects published by North Light Books:

     Creative Correspondence, written with his wife, Judy Jacobs (2003)

     Cards That Pop up, Flip & Slide (2005)

     Books Unbound: 20 Innovative Bookmaking Projects (2006)

 Michael was an excellent and inspiring teacher and a kind, supportive and positive influence. He was 77.

NOVEMBER WORKSHOP WRAP

 Our last workshop of 2025 was the Australian Reverse Piano Hinge book taught by local member, Donna Gephart. With such a long name it seems like it would be a complicated book, but thanks to Donna, it was not. One of the best features of this structure is that the signatures can easily be removed and replaced with new ones. The dimensions for this structure can also be changed, and one could use one or more accordion pieces to secure the signatures. There is no stitching involved and very little gluing (only on the covers). Thank you Donna for sharing this very adaptable structure with us.

Michele Kamprath used just one

 accordion piece for her book.

Bonnie Julien used two accordions (the gold paper)

to secure her signatures.

Margaret Beech modified her book

on the outside by adding a case binding

that did not change the inside of her book.

She can still replace signatures if she wants.

 

Michele's husband, Doug, even made a book to

showcase his artwork.

Doug's book also used one accordion.