January Workshop Report

Our monthly workshops usually focus on book structures or surface design. Not this one! It was a tool extravaganza with three presenters who generously donated their time and expertise. Thanks to Sandy, Dolores, and Connie.

Dolores shares

Dolores shared a number of her tools (these are just a few) providing information about each one. She got her brass and steel measuring guides at a building supply store. Bone folders can be real bone, plastic, or teflon. The whetstone is used to sharpen her Exacto blades to get a bit more use before discarding. The transparency pieces may be her best idea ever; put a spot of glue on the end and place it in tight spots that need gluing, press together, then remove. She also provided a two page handout with lots of tips. If you are a Norbag member, send her an email and she will email the document.
 

Connie's stash

Connie brought bags of her favorite tools and enthusiastically demonstrated their use. 

Sandy's little feet

Sandy led a mini-workshop on creating "feet" that can be adhered to the bottom of boxes. The best size circle punch for small boxes is 3/4".

In addition to the actual workshop our monthly meetings involve a number of other activities. The first half-hour is spent borrowing or returning books from our own library, and preparing books for the exchange. We also had a large number of freebies—a very popular activity. Bring materials you don't use and recycle them at every meeting.

 

 

Exchange books come from all over the states, York, England and Victoria BC, Canada

This long table is covered with giveaway materials.

Book Artists delight in the unusual. Calendar pages are  great for making your own envelopes.

January, 2014 Meeting

 Tricks, Tips, Tools, Techniques & Feet

Join us as we share our collective knowledge of all aspects of book arts and related paper arts. Bring your favorite tips and tools you use and demonstrate how they work.

We will find out how to wrap board corners with a perfect and simple technique. Learn how to make spherical feet to put on the bottom of a box, or platform. Discover cutting and gluing secrets. Explore some old and some new gadgets.
 
Don't have all the tools you think you need? Come and learn easy substitutes for standard book arts tools. This is a workshop for everyone, especially our new members. Everyone will come away with a scads of good information.

Materials to bring:
• Right triangle – if you don't have one, there will be extras to share (Note: it needs to be a 90-45-45 degree triangle)
• Scissors X-Acto or craft knife
• Cutting mat (or magazine on which to cut)
• Glue stick and/or PVA
• Brush and waste paper
• Metal ruler
• Your ideas to share

When?
Saturday, January 11
12 noon

Where?
Our usual location: BSS 166 at HSU

RSVP?
No

Cost
None

Holiday Get Together & Card Exchange

Card by Vicki Van Horn

Norbag members and prospective members, please join us for our annual Holiday Gathering with finger foods, punch, and a relaxing afternoon with our community of book artists. We will be meeting around 12 noon, Saturday, December 14. All members are welcome. Members who signed up in October for the exchange will be making a set of holiday cards to distribute to all of the others who signed up. You do not have to participate in the exchange to attend the gathering. Please see your newsletter for locations; you may also contact a member of Norbag for information.

NORBAG Holiday Card Exchange

This year marks the 19th straight year that our Guild members have exchanged handmade holiday cards. This annual event started when the guild was first formed and has become one of our most popular meetings. In this age of ecards, tweets, and texting, there is nothing like a handmade card—pleasing to the creator and the receiver. Go to the Humboldt County Library to see a sampling of holiday cards that have been made since 1995. You will be inspired.

Holiday Greetings from NORBAG to You

Star Tunnel Book

In this month’s workshop, Michele Kamprath will be teaching us how to make a small star-tunnel book. 

There are many types of star books. This one has three layers with the first two layers open to a decorated back layer. This is a fun little structure that has lots of possibilities. 

You will need to bring the items listed below.

Materials and tools to bring:

• 3 strips of paper: 3" x 17" (this shortest strip is the one you may want to decorate), 3" x 19-1/2", and 3" x 22" * 
• 2 covers: 3-1/4" X 2" (boards already covered if you have time) 
• Bead/s for closure, if desired 
• Small pictures, bits of paper, or stamps to decorate back panel 
• Clips like clothes pins to hold paper strips together 
• PVA and/or Glue Stick 
• Awl 
• Cutting mat 
• Cutting tool 
• Needle and thread 
• Ruler 

*Note from Michele: Mi-Teintes weight paper or Fabriano, paper (available at Ellis Art & Engineering and Michaels) would be good paper choices or light to medium weight cardstock. You might think of decorating the front paper strip either by using decorated paper or stamping the front strip keeping in mind that there will be a window cut out for each section. Thicker wrapping paper that holds a fold might work well for a front strip though I haven’t tried it. 

What will be provided:

• Double-sided tape
• Some beads
• Instructional handout

We'll be back in our usual room, BSS 166 at HSU, Saturday, November 9 at noon. There is a 50 cent fee for materials. Please RSVP Michele by Wednesday prior to the workshop. Her contact details are in the newsletter.

October's Library Kiosk Display

We are currently displaying handmade books with an autumn theme in the Humboldt County Library kiosk. If you are in Eureka, be sure to check it out.

Greeting Card Fun Day with Becky McAllister

Please note we'll be meeting in a different place this month: Harry Griffith Hall, Room 106, HSU, corner of B and Harpst. 

Since NORBAG has two exchanges each year featuring cards, this workshop is a greeting card inspiration and idea day. We will be working with shapes, layering, triptychs, a basic pop-up, and a flip card. Come get inspired about your Christmas cards or make Halloween cards for your friends. 

Materials and tools to bring: 

• Cutting mat 
• Ruler 
• Craft knife and scissors 
• Bone folder 
• Scribe and awl 
• Glue stick 
• Colored pencils and /or markers 
• Metallic pens or markers (if you have them) 
• Decorative papers (can be small pieces and scraps) 
• Any favorite rubber stamps and stamp pads 

Materials that will be provided: 

• Card stock galore 
• Many holiday images 
• Decorative papers 
• Rubber stamps and stamp pads 

Please note: this workshop requires an RSVP. Becky McAllister's contact info can be found in the newsletter.