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.

Who is Bound Together?

Mary Elizabeth Nelson (aka Emmy) is our NORBAG member residing in Pennsylvania. In the August book exchange I received her book and instead of emailing a “thank you” to her, I got on the phone and called. We had a delightful conversation and I extended an invitation to send us information about her book arts in Pennsylvania.  She has a group that is called Bound Together and here is what she sent.  --Bobbie

            Bound Together began with a group of nine women artists who were members of the Philadelphia Calligraphers’ Society and discovered a mutual interest in creating artists’ books. Meeting for the first time in February 2004, the group has averaged a new project every four months since then. The aim of the members—to create either a collaborative piece or individual pieces for exchange at regular intervals throughout the year—is a way of keeping the creative juices flowing and learning more about book arts. 

            Each project we’ve embarked on involves a theme that is arrived at by consensus. We’ve contained the group to nine members so that ten copies (one is archived) is the standard edition. Our membership has changed over the years due to moves and life just getting in the way, but we’ve maintained a constant flow of projects. 

            With constraints on time and resources, we tend to produce fairly small books, but are open to larger formats should a theme require it.  In the beginning when all members had calligraphic training, our books, for the most part, included hand-lettering. That guideline has changed over time. At each meeting, we exchange books and share ideas, techniques, and tools, so that every gathering is both a learning and a teaching experience.  

Who is Bound Together?

Pam Bennett

Ginger Carrle (former BT member)

Debra Dick (former BT member)

Rhonda L. Garland (former BT member)

Patty Hammarstedt (former BT member)

Meg Kennedy

Tracy Massey*

Carole Maurer*

Mary Elizabeth Nelson*

Ellen Rose*

Linda Rossi*

Betty Steckman

Veti Vasilion (former BT member) 

*Current NORBAG members

Mary Ellen's website, www.menpaperart.com/Emmys_page/Welcome.html has a link to the Bound Together page showing a number of their artist books.  There is also an article about the Bound Together group in "Bound & Lettered" Vol. 12, No. 1.

In May of 2012, Dolores Guffey had the privilege to teach a workshop to the Bound Together group. She taught two "exposed bindings structures" - one book with a French Stitch combined with a Coptic Stitch; and another utilizing the Bow Tie Stitch sewn over grosgrain ribbons.

Here is a photo of the group and below are examples of a few of their books.

Sitting: Meg Kennedy, Pam Bennett, Tracy Massey, Carole Maurer, Ellen Rose,
 Standing: Linda Rossi and Betty Steckman

Mary Elizabeth took the picture and is in the inset in the corner.

Linda Rossi, Woven Pairs

Mary Elizabeth Nelson and Ellen Rose,

A Collaborative Book titled Shifu, 

a Japanese textile woven from thread 

made of spun or twisted paper.

  
 

Meg Kennedy, A Woven Accordion 

Pam Bennett, Altered Woven Constitution

Betty Steckman, Song of the Sky Loom