Wednesday, August 24, 2005

Bookbinding and Handmade Books......really?

Just out of curiosity today, I decided to check out who on Blogger is in to Bookbinding and Handmade Books and decided to check out some of their blogs; what I discovered is very few have any handmade books and bookbinding information. One is the blog of a calligraphy artist, so I'm certain you'd find some actual books there; most calligraphy artists are into creating books. On another blog there was a link provided to a site that sells handmade journals. Interesting................ not much discussion and chatter regarding them..............

Maybe it the cost of bookbinding classes or internships that plays a factor. For me, I know it is that even though I've been creating books for several years my creative interests vary from rubberstamping, mixed media, collage, and trading ATC's so often my love of bookbinding and creating handmade books often gets put on to the back burner. So, time to create them is a huge factor.

Another factor, is $$$. Supplies to bind books from tools necessary, to the supplies of handmade and imported papers, book boards, etc. play a factor as well as the style of book I desire to create.

I still consider myself a beginner/intermediate bookbinder....... meaning I know how to create more of the simple structures of Accordian and Concertina book; and I know a few basic stitches and in the process of learning more of the stitching techniques; and I have the basic down for actually binding more of the traditional style books, like a Codex bound.

I receive a variety of emails for book recommendations, tool questions, stitching methods, and how to instructions. I would love to be able to write tutorials for some of these, however, with out actually seeing the step by step references, I would probably only confuse someone desiring to learn. Then, there is also the possibility of omitting a step. Unfortunately, I do not have access to a digital camera where I could photograph the pictures step by step of the way, nor do I have access to any computer program where I could write the tutorial with pictures included. I also think if I was to go through with doing so much work and putting so much effort into writing that I would probably try to get it published in a book where I could receive royalties for the sales which I personally don't think I am quite yet ready for, LOL!

Anyways, there is some of the thoughts that ran through my pretty little head today. Food for thought, perhaps?

2 comments:


Cindy Yount
said...

Hi Cathy,
Tripped across your blog today as I was looking for other bookbinders and calligraphers. You're right, many calligraphers are drawn to the art of bookbinding as well; we just can't help ourselves! :)
Check out my blog at:
cindyount.blogspot.com
for examples of some custom concertina books. The blog is fairly new but I plan to try to keep it updated weekly, so, more to follow!
-Cindy

Cathy said...

Cindy,
Thank you for visiting my blog. I enjoyed visiting yours and seeing your beautiful AWE-inspiring artwork.

Here is a corrected link to Cindy's:

http://cindyyount.blogspot.com