Itty Bitty Workshop Review

Miniature books are so much fun to look at and to make. We would like to thank one of our newest members, Miss Amy Hand, for teaching us her Itty Bitty Book structure. This cute little book can easily be reduced or enlarged depending upon the size of paper you use. The fun part is how one changes an accordion folded strip of paper into a case bound style of book without doing any stitching. We enjoyed this so much and the structure was so easy, that some members made several books during the workshop. I suspect we'll be seeing more of these structures in upcoming exchange books.

Amy gives a "thumbs up" to the participants in the workshop.

The following photos show some of the books made during the workshop.

Margaret Beech made these three books.

Sherril Story also made three books.

Beth McIlraith shows her book with the belly band she added.

Three little books from Bonnie Julien

Michele Kamprath's book

The inside of Michele's book is a gelli print.

ITTY BITTY BOOK

Miniature things are very popular and miniature books are no exception. Amy Hand, one of our newest NORBAG members, has graciously offered to teach us how to make an Itty Bitty Book at our March workshop. This looks like a fun project and a good way to welcome spring by making some Itty Bitty Books to go into Easter baskets. The book we will be making measures 1 1/2" x 2 1/4", but Amy said that the size can be made smaller or larger once you have the basic pattern.

This is a good opportunity to use some fun decorative

paper. Amy colored her pages with bubble prints and

used paste paper for the covers.

Materials

• 1 sheet of 8 1/2" x 11" copy paper or light weight paper for the inside pages of your book
• 1 sheet of paper (printed or not)  to be folded for the cover of your book
• scissors
• ruler
• glue of choice (Amy prefers the Scotch Create glue stick)
• cutting mat (optional)
• X-acto or craft knife (optional)

When:   Saturday March 11 at 10 a.m. PST

Where:  On your computer, tablet, or smartphone via Zoom

RSVP:    To Dolores Guffey by March 6 to receive the password

Zoom Questions: Bobbie Hayes

Contact information is in the newsletter.

MINIATURE JOURNAL

Do miniature books catch your interest and make you smile? If so, you're not alone. There just seems to be something about tiny things that are captivating. At the March NORBAG workshop Edge Gerring will lead us in making a hard cover accordion fold journal in miniature. We will decorate the pages with a wandering vine drawing, or any other image of your choosing. These little books are not only perfect for gifts, the making of them is perfect for soothing jangled nerves and calming harried brains. There will also be a show and tell of several book samples.

Book samples, plus the wandering vine
 that could be used for the accordion fold pages. 

Supplies:

• Two pieces of 2" x 1-1/2" cardboard (for the covers)
• One piece of 2" x 1" cardboard (this will be trimmed later for the spine)
• One piece 3" x 4" of decorative paper for the cover. The 3" is the vertical direction of the cover, so orient paper accordingly.
• One piece 1-7/8" x 12-1/2" paper (grain short) for the accordion fold page block. A lightweight watercolor paper or 70 lb. (approximately) drawing type paper is good. Use a paper that will take ink without bleed through.
• Ink pens, fine point black and colors, and/or colored pencils or watercolors
• Scissors, ruler, glue stick, cutting mat & knife

The following examples of miniature books were made by Lynne Gurnee

A book of cartoony dogs painted in gouache on black paper.

Black & white only

"A sheet of 140 lb. watercolor paper that I'd practiced painting faces onto
in black & white, then sliced up the sheet to make a book, letting the
faces occur where they might. Then I added more color, acrylic, and
collage. This book has a separate spine paper. Some books just use one
sheet of paper for cover & spine." 

This is the other half of the book above.

White Gelly Roll 08 pen on black paper

Lynne's great little bookcase for her miniature books.
She found the three little crates at Michaels and glued
 them together. Size is 10" tall by 5" wide by 2.5" deep.

Covers of three of these adorable books

This workshop should be great fun. Thanks in advance to Edge and Lynne for sharing their miniature books.

When:   Saturday, March 12 at 10 am PST

Where:  On Zoom

RSVP:    by Monday, March 7 to Dolores Guffey

Workshop Questions:  Edge Gerring

Tech Questions:  Bobbie Hayes

Contact information for everyone is in the newsletter

MINIATURE BOOKS

Our October Zoom Meeting with Donna & Corky LaVallee was a wonderful introduction into the collecting of miniature books. Although they couldn't share all 305 of their collection, they did show us various ones in the following categories: micro miniature; box books; pop-ups; great bindings; interesting/unusual bindings; stamps; marbled paper; rainbows; and original art. Many of the books fall into more than one category. While Donna held the books and turned the pages, Corky gave an explanation of each one. 

They collect both original books from book artists as well as a few commercially printed ones. Most of their collection consists of limited editions, but they also have unique books. There is a wealth of information about miniature books on the internet. For those of you interested in viewing and/or collecting, Google "Miniature Books." A good place to start is with the Miniature Book Society: www.mbs.org

Donna and Corky LaVallee

We appreciate Donna and Corky's enthusiasm and generosity in putting together such a fun presentation. NORBAG members who missed the event may contact Dolores to see the recorded version. To see a few of their books, scroll down to the previous blog entry.

MINIATURE BOOKS SHOW & TELL

 

A Brief History of the Ukulele by Peter and Donna Thomas

There’s something about miniature things that intrigue and delight many people. If you’re one of those miniature enthusiasts then you’re certain to enjoy NORBAG’s October Zoom event. Donna and Corky LaVallee have been collecting miniature books since 2017. Their collection now numbers over 300 books! They love to collect artist books, one-of-a-kind or small edition books and moveable books. In the United States, a miniature book is usually considered to be one which is no more than three inches in height, width, or thickness. Outside of the United States, books up to four inches are often considered. Donna is the membership chairman of the Miniature Book Society, an international organization of miniature book lovers, collectors, makers and dealers. As such she has gotten to know many of the makers of the books that she and Corky own.

The Mailbox: A Postal ABC by JoAnna Poehlmann

The Windhover by Pat Sweet

Here is a teaser of Donna & Corky's collection

In this Zoom presentation, Donna and Corky will do a show and tell of the oldest, smallest, and tallest of their books. They will showcase interesting structures, unique bindings and glorious papers. They will talk about how to start a collection, what sort of things other people collect and how to document a collection.

After Donna and Corky's presentation we will show the October exchange books and give participants an opportunity to share information about their book or just have their colophon read.

When:    Saturday, October 10 at noon PST

Where:   On your computer, tablet or smartphone via Zoom

RSVP:    YES, to Dolores (contact information in the newsletter) by October 5 to receive the password

The following notice was received from Pati Bristow, our member in the San Francisco Bay Area. Check out the link for a wealth of interesting events.

The Book Arts JAM is virtual this year (no big surprise), but the good news is it will run for the entire month of October. There are speakers ( live, which will be recorded for future viewing), online classes (for a fee), on demand classes (free with links to YouTube), Artisan Marketplace, resource list, and several galleries of members works. 

 https://www.bayareabookartists.org/bookartsjam/  

MINIATURE BOOKS ON DISPLAY!

The mid-summer display in the kiosk at the Humboldt County Library features a wide variety of miniature books in sizes from one inch tall to three inches tall and up to three inches wide. These miniature books were made by North Redwoods Book Art Guild (NORBAG) members in California, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Washington, and York, UK. For more information about NORBAG and our monthly workshop and meetings please visit our website. (See the link on the left of this page.)

This display features a wide variety of book bindings and designs including maze and fold books; a pop-up in a matchbox; a star tunnel; some with hand-carved lino-cuts; leather bound books and "booklaces"; and hand stitched slinky and Coptic bound minis. These tiny books can be challenging to make, but so much fun to see. 

MINIATURE BOOKS at Humboldt County Library

On display now at the Humboldt County Library kiosk is a collection of miniature books made by various NORBAG artists. Thanks go to Lynne Gurnee for arranging this display. “A miniature book is a very small book, sized from 1/2 inch square to roughly 2 by 3 inches—no larger than 3 inches in height, width, or thickness.  (Outside the United States, books up to four inches are often considered miniature according to the Miniature Book Society.)

“These books became more popular in the last few decades of the 19th century because they were portable and easy to conceal. One could carry a vast number of books in a small case for when one traveled. Many are bound in fine Moroccan leather, gilt, and contain excellent examples of woodcuts, etchings, and watermarks. More popular topics at that time were dictionaries, language translators, religious stories and readings, and occasionally, tourist guides.

“Subjects range from the Bible, encyclopedias, music, stories, rhymes, famous speeches, and the miniaturization of well-known books such as The Compleat Angler, The Art of War, and Sherlock Holmes stories. Many are now collectors’ items, with prices ranging from a few hundred to many thousands of US dollars.”   ~ Wikipedia

Book Art Exhibitions #1

Bainbridge Island

Museum of Art

550 Winslow Way E.

Bainbridge Island, WA 

Open daily 10-6 

General Admission free

   The Bainbridge Island Museum of Art opened in 2012 and was inspired by Cynthia Sears, who moved to Bainbridge from Los Angeles in the late 1980’s. Her vision was for a smaller, more regional museum that would showcase the “excellence of craft and helping newcomers get a foot in the door”. On the second floor of the museum is a room devoted to book art exhibits. Currently showing are the miniature book collection of Margot E. Amestoy, and a selection of Cynthia Sears’ extensive artist’s books. This exhibit will be shown until June 7, 2015 so if you’re in the Seattle area plan to visit this wonderful museum.  Should you miss this exhibit it is likely that a new book art exhibition will replace the current one so check out the museum website for more information. (http://www.biartmuseum.org/) Bainbridge Island Museum is located on beautiful Bainbridge Island, just a 35-minute ferry ride from Seattle and a five minute walk from the ferry terminal. Parking is available and free to visitors. 

ARTIST'S BOOKS: CHAPTER FOUR

Featuring the extensive (and unique in our region) artist’s books collection of Cynthia Sears.

MINIATURE BOOKS: COLLECTION OF MARGOT E. AMESTOY
Pull out your magnifying glass - there are some very tiny books!

Here is a small sample from this very enjoyable exhibit:

Endangered Species Sculptural Pop-up by Lois Morrison

Apologia by Barry Lopez

Book and box by Carol Schwartzott

Mermaid Rodeo by Mare Blocker

Manual of Weeds by Deborah Peek

Snakes Are Not Nice by Julie Chen and Lois Morrison

This will be the first in a series of posts on book art exhibitions. If you know of any similar exhibits please email information and photographs to either Bonnie Julien or Bobbie Hayes. Our contact information can be found in the NORBAG newsletter.