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.

PAPER POCKETS BOOK

 This Paper Pockets Book was created by Greta Baack and will be taught by Diane Williams at the workshop on April 11. Diane explains the project as a "book with 10 pages made from #10 security envelopes (size 4.12" x 9.5") or any envelope this size can be used for this project. The envelopes must have their flaps which must be sealed. Envelopes will be provided at the workshop. Envelopes can be colored, painted, covered or stamped to decorate them.
   Sometimes you will get them in your bills as return envelopes. I recycle these for my book pages. If the envelope has a window you can use it as long as you can cut in 2.75" from the end of your sealed envelope.
   Decorative paper may be used to cover the chipboard book cover or you may decorate it with stamps. The pockets in our book are large enough to hold business cards, artist trading cards, school photos or whatever your creative mind thinks up to put in the pocket." 
Please RSVP to Diane (see sidebar in the newsletter for her contact information) by April 5.

Materials and Tools to Bring:

• (10) 9.5" x 4.12" #10 security envelopes or use the ones that will be provided at the workshop
• (2) Chip board or card board pieces cut to 3.25" x 4.5" for covers
• (1) 8.5" x 11" piece of paper for covering the chip board
• Glue Stick or PVA
• Strong 1/4" double-sided Scor-Tape (Sookwang) or Red Line tape
• 18 to 20" piece of twine or narrow ribbon to secure the book closed
• 1 to 3 beads to string on the ribbon (optional)
• Stamps, ink pads, colored pencils or paints for decorating the cover and inside envelopes
• Scissors/X-Acto knife
• Ruler
• Cutting mat

Materials Provided:

• Cutting template
• Written instructions
• Envelopes

Note: All supplies are available at Scrapper's Edge. If you need assistance drop by Scrapper's Edge Monday - Wednesday from noon to 4 p.m. when Diane will be working, but any of the staff will be able to assist you at other times.

When:    Sat. April 11 @ 12 noon
Where:   Eureka Methodist Church, Del Norte and F Streets
Fee:       50 cents
RSVP:     Yes, to Diane by April 5

Library Kiosk Featured Artist

Books by Grace Battjes

   This month the kiosk in the Humboldt County Library is featuring books by Grace Battjes. If you are not able to stop by to see this lovely display here are a few photos of some of Grace's wonderful books.
   Grace retired from nursing in 1994 and moved from Oregon to Eureka to live near friends she met in the Peace Corps. She also found she liked the weather and the town itself. Within a short time she found NORBAG, a newly formed group of artists making handmade books. She joined and has been using her interest in paper arts and photography to play with book structures ever since. She prefers making her books for family and friends, often using her original photos and poetry. Grace loves cats and has featured them in many of her books as illustrated by the photos of her "Meow Museum". Each of her books is a complete original, just like Grace.

The Meow Museum

The following photos include some of Grace's other books featured in the kiosk.

2015 March Workshop - Pamphlet Stitch

March, 2015 Workshop - Candid Snaps

On March 14, we had the March meeting and book exchange.  We had about 14 people attending.  The book exchange had 15 books, seven of which were from out of town members. The theme was "shaped" books.

The workshop was about the pamphlet stitch and two covers made without adhesive.  We did both a three and five hole pamphlet stitch.  The five hole pamphlet stitch book used our instructions for a signature.  The three hole pamphlet  was a tiny 1-1/2 inch book that had a non-adhesive pocket and tab closure.  The third book was a “two-sewn-as-one” with a center pocket with a separate cover.

The first four pictures are of the book exchange. The candid shots of the workshop follow.

Say Ahhh tunnel book that looks like a nose, lips and the inside of the mouth

Bed  Japanese stab binding that looks like a bed

The Unicorn

Cat Silhouette using a drum-leaf binding format

The five-hole pamphlet stitch book was made using the instructions as a signature.  The red book is a two-sewn-as one with a self cover. The tiny blue/green book is a three hole pamphlet with a cover that has a pocket and tab closure.

This is a two-sewn-as-one pamphlet with a three part cover that enables this peek-a-boo window.  The exterior cover is Tyvek.

The Humble Pamphlet Stitch

Inside and front views of Bobbie's
 "humble" pamphlet stitch books.

   
In March, we are going to take a look at the humble pamphlet stitch. We will make three books; a five hole pamphlet stitch with a Mi-Teintes cover for the instructions; a simple 2" x 1 1/2" single signature three hole pamphlet stitch and a cover with a tab closure, and a two signature pamphlet that is 3" x 3" with a cover.

Materials to bring:

1. Thread for sewing your signatures: (linen, perle cotton, embroidery thread, hemp)

2. Paper for signatures:

• 5 pieces 2" x 3" grain short text weight paper
• 8 pieces 3" x 6" grain short text weight paper
• 1 piece 3" x 11 3/4" grain short, Mi-Teintes, cardstock or similar paper

3. Paper for covers: 

• 1 piece 8 1/2" x 11" grain short, Mi-Teintes or similar paper
• 1 piece 11" x 4" grain short, light weight paper that folds sharply
• 2 pieces 3" x 7" grain short, plus 1 piece 3" x 10" grain short, Mi-Teintes or similar paper. All three can be the same color or the two short papers can be complementary or contrasting colors from the 3" x 10" paper.

• Note from Bobbie: Grain. I have been very specific about grain. For those of you who are not sure about which way grain is running on your paper, call me. There is a solution.

Tools:

• Scissors
• Metal ruler
• Pencil
• X-Acto or craft knife
• Awl
• Cutting mat or phone book (we need to protect the table surfaces)
• Bone folder
• Binder clips (small to medium - we are working with small items here)
• Beeswax for your thread
• Needles for sewing signatures

RSVP required by March 9 to Bobbie Hayes (contact information on the front page of the newsletter).

When?
Saturday, March 14
12noon
Where?
Eureka Methodist Church
Del Norte & F Streets
What to bring?
See list above
RSVP
Yes, required by March 9 to Bobbie Hayes (contact information on the front page of the newsletter).

Fee?

Fifty cents

Valentine's Day Workshop

   This past Valentine's day nine NORBAG members gathered to make valentines that Lorraine Miller-Wolf distributed to senior citizens. This creative group made 200 valentines that were given to seniors at Timber Ridge in McKinleyville and Eureka and Sequoia Springs in Fortuna. This is the tenth year that Lorraine has spearheaded this project, and she reached a new record of 824 valentines! Many thanks to the members who participated by attending the workshop or sending in valentines. It looks like a great time was had by all.

Lorraine Miller-Wolf

Photos courtesy of Lorraine Miller-Wolf and Dolores Guffey