BELLY BANDS & PSBA EXHIBITION

Making a collection of Belly Bands was the project for the June NORBAG workshop taught by Dolores Guffey. First we made a simple one signature pamphlet stitched book to use as the model for our bands. Next, Dolores led us through making a series of eight different bands from a very simple wraparound one to a more decorative interlocking origami style band. 

By displaying several different books, she also showed how belly bands can be used to hold a book closed, but they can also give a hint as to what the reader will see inside. It was a very informative workshop and I suspect we'll be seeing many more exchange books with different belly bands in the future.

An example of just how creative our members can be with "on the fly" ideas, Margaret Beech shared her idea of folding simple pockets into her model book to hold each of the different belly bands. What a perfect way to keep all the bands in one place to use as prototypes for future books.

Margaret's book showing the folds for the different belly bands.

Margaret's version of the Interlocking origami style band.

Sue Reynolds' book showing the circle & brad
band that incorporates a tie.

Bosha Stuve's book holds all her prototypes.

                 

The cover of Bosha's book

                                     

Bonnie Julien's book

The inside of Bonnie's book with pockets.

Mary Elizabeth Nelson's book with her
beautiful cyanotype papers and belly band in place.

Inside the book with pockets for the bands.

Looking down at the book.

The 2022 Puget Sound Book Artists 11th annual members' exhibition opened at Collins Memorial Library on the campus of the University of Puget Sound in Tacoma, Washington. The theme this year is Peaks & Valleys. Here are a few photographs from the Exhibit. More photos will follow in future posts. The exhibit will continue through August 5, 2022.

Mark Hoppmann, The Genie Within

Ann Storey, Encompassed by Light and Life

Laurel Moorhead, Knock, Knock, Who's There?

Debbi Commodore, Take a Moment

Laura Russel, The Enchanting Desert

Mary Preston, Phrases/Phases/Faces of the Moon

Debbi Commodore, This

BELLY BAND PROTOTYPES

 Our books often need a little something to hold them closed when they are not being read. Dolores Guffey will show us how to make ten different styles of belly bands at our June workshop. The plan is for us to first make a simple five-hole pamphlet stitch book with a soft cover and text weight paper. This book is for us to take notes and jot down instructions on how to make each of the bands. Dolores suggests that we use papers from our stash for these prototypes.

Dolores says "I will guide you through making the belly bands. The book you make will be used as an example of a book that needs a belly band. After making one band, you will remove it and then the next band will be made. At the end of the workshop, you will have one book and 10 different belly bands."

Materials List: 

• Please have your papers cut prior to the workshop!

• 1 (one) piece 8-3/4" x 7" light weight cardstock, or decorative paper of similar weight, grain short. This book is a prototype, it does not have to be expensive paper.
• 6 (six) pieces of text weight paper 8-1/2" x 7", grain short
• 8 (Eight) pieces 11" x 1-1/2" of light weight cardstock, (grain short) or any paper stronger than text weight paper that can be easily folded around a book. These will be the belly bands.
• 2 (two) pieces of 19" x 1-1/2" (belly band paper, see previous bullet). Note: you can glue two strips of paper to make a 19" strip.
• 1 (one) piece  5" x 3/4" mat board or cardboard strip
• Toothpick & brads (optional)

Other Supplies:

• Pencil
• Piercing tool or T-pin
• Metal ruler
• Craft knife
• Bone folder
• Scissors
• Piercing cradle (or thick magazine or phone book)

Here are a couple more examples of books with belly bands.

When:   Saturday, June 11 at 10 a.m. PDT

Where:  On your computer, tablet or smartphone via Zoom

RSVP:    Dolores Guffey by June 6 to receive the password

Workshop Questions:  Dolores Guffey

Zoom Questions: Bobbie Hayes

Contact information for Dolores and Bobbie is in the newsletter