MARGARET'S WORKSHOP

NORBAG's first workshop of 2026 was taught by Margaret Beech. With a title of "Throw-Out Pages", we were all curious to see what this structure would be like and as usual, Margaret did not disappoint. While it looked like it could be tricky to put together, it turned out to be an easy structure with fun opportunities for decoration. Many thanks go to Margaret for sharing this structure with us and getting the year off to a great start. The following photos show some of the books that were made.

Mary Conley

Barbara Clark

Barbara Clark

Sherril Story

Sherril Story

Michele Kamprath

Michele Kamprath

Bonnie Julien

Bonnie Julien

"THROW OUT PAGES" WITH MARGARET

 Our January workshop will be taught by our member from the UK, Margaret Beech. The book has "throw out pages" with a hard cover. Margaret says this is a simple structure, and because the pages are not sewn to the spine it allows you to decorate the inside of the spine and inner back and front covers for interest and impact.

There is no measuring for the pages, just accurate folding and cutting because we will be using regular 11" x 8 1/2" light cardstock.

Once you sign up for this workshop you will receive a materials and instruction sheet. Some items need to be prepared before the workshop. Margaret says this is a great structure with huge potential. The style suits visual content probably better than written because of the narrow width of the pages. Another bonus is that there is no measuring to make the pages for your book, simply accurate folding.

Materials and Tools:

• 2 sheets light cardstock 8 ½” x 11” for the pages
• Decorative papers for your pages cut to 4” x 1 ¼” – you will need 20
  
• 2 pieces 4 ¼” x 3 ½” thicker cardstock for covers
• 1 piece 4 ¼” x 1” thicker cardstock for spine
• 2 pieces 4 ¼” x 3 ½” decorative paper for inside covers
• 1 piece 4 ¼” x 1” decorative paper for inside spine
• Lining paper for inside cover/spine cut to 8" x 4"
• Glue stick
• Bone folder
• Craft knife
• Pencil
• Ruler
• Masking tape, optional

Please have all the cover, spine and lining pieces cut in advance.

When:    Saturday, January 10 at 10 a.m. PST

Where:   On your computer, tablet or smartphone via Zoom 

RSVP:    Dolores Guffey by January 5 to receive the handouts

Workshop Questions:  Margaret Beech - beeches1313@gmail.com

Zoom Questions:  Bobbie Hayes

Contact information is in the newsletter

HOLIDAY CARDS & MARE BLOCKER EXHIBITION

The NORBAG Holiday Card exchange on Dec. 13 was great for both local and out-of-town members again this year. About 20 members were at the Zoom meeting and 13 went to Sandy V's house for the local event. The cards were shared at both events and even members who had not participated shared some of the holiday art they were working on. Photographs of the 2025 holiday cards are in our Flickr gallery.

The following "peace" cards are from past holiday exchanges. They are currently on display in the kiosk at the Humboldt County Library.

Mare Blocker Exhibition

The current exhibition in the Sherry Grover Gallery at BIMA (Bainbridge Island Museum of Art) features work by Mare Blocker, a Washington book artist. Here is what she said about this exhibit that will remain until February 15.

"For this series of artist's books, I have used repurposed paper and paintings loved ones had left for me, and mixed it with older bits I had gleaned for recycle bins in the academic institutions I have worked in." 

"Having a retrospective is a chance to look back to see my event horizons and the layers a life of images has built."

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.

AUSTRALIAN REVERSE PIANO HINGE

Our instructor for the November workshop will be local member Donna Gephart. She will show us how to make one version of the Australian Reverse Piano Hinge book and also demonstrate another version. Below you will find the tools and materials list for the book, but first, here are photos of two versions of the structure. 

Tools:

• Pencil
• Metal ruler
• Art knife and cutting mat
• PVA and brush or glue stick
• Weights (like covered bricks or heavy books)
• Possibly an awl and piercing cradle or a push pin

Materials:

• Two (2) pieces of book board cut 6" x 6"
• Two (2) pieces of cover paper cut 7-1/2" x 7-1/2"
• Two (2) coordinating end papers cut 5-1/2" x 5-1/2"

• Two (2) pieces medium weight paper cut 20" x 1-5/8" for accordions
• Six (6) pieces medium weight paper cut 11" x 5-1/2" for signature covers
• Twelve (12) pieces of text weight paper cut 11" x 5-1/2" for signatures
• Six (6) pieces cut 2-1/4" x 5-1/2" for signature closures

When:    Saturday November 8 at 10 a.m. PST

Where:   On your computer, tablet or smartphone via Zoom

RSVP:     To Dolores Guffey by Nov. 3 to receive the password 

Workshop Questions:  Donna Gephart, gephart.donna@gmail.com

Zoom Questions:  Bobbie Hayes

Contact information is in the newsletter