National Blog Post Month 2015

Post author:springleafpress
Post published:November 2, 2015
Post category:Bookbinding Uncategorized

Several people endeavor to write everyday for the month of November (NaBloPoMo). For some, this means getting back to that novel they've been meaning to write. For others, it is a chance to post everyday on their blogs. I am with the second group and will make a push to do the same. Everyday, I'll post on the daily happenings in the studio as well as some posts about things that have happened over the last year, many of which I didn't have the time to address before. As someone who would rather work with her hands than update a…

GBW Standards of Excellence 2015

Post author:springleafpress
Post published:October 27, 2015
Post category:Guild of Book Workers

A six hour drive brought me to this year's Guild of Book Workers Standards of Excellence, in Cleveland, Ohio. Because I was attending in the temporary capacity of Chapter Chair for the Midwest this year, I arrived Wednesday in time for our evening meetings. Just before we got down to business though, I had enough time to peak at the goodies in the vendor room, then left before I fainted from excitement. During the meetings, it was wonderful to witness, and participate in, the Chapters' collaborative problem solving through shared issues. The Guild proves to be a huge resource time…

Writing in a straight line

Post author:springleafpress
Post published:August 20, 2015
Post category:Surface Decoration

Of all the decision making that goes into creating an artist book, I have found the means of putting text on the page to be the thing that slows me down most. There are only so many options. You can print the text from the computer, but you are limited to your printer's page size limits. You could make a transfer but that is slow and inconsistent. If you are lucky enough to have access to a letterpress shop, then go for it! However, if none of these things is right or available for your project, writing it out by…

some favorites

On to the next

Post author:springleafpress
Post published:August 10, 2015
Post category:Uncategorized

Here in Bloomington, people seem to be bracing themselves for the start of the new academic year on campus. It is interesting how it is almost a tangible change in the air and one that I look forward to. As a person who really loved the beginning of a college semester, I allow myself to get carried away with the bustle of preparation. Now that I am no longer a student, I apply the mood to the studio. Do I have enough pens and pencils? I do? Ok, I'll get some more so I am prepared for the next…

Clamshell Workshop Recap

Post author:springleafpress
Post published:April 9, 2015
Post category:Workshops

This time of year, workshops - both planning for them and teaching them - take up the majority of my time. This has been a new realization as I eagerly compile handouts and make lots of teaching guides. All the while, the stack of works in progress remain on the bench like a group of archaeological artifacts on display. It is a little bit frustrating not to get to those projects, but the reason I can't devote attention to them right now is highly rewarding. Earlier this March, I had the opportunity to teach a Clamshell Workshop in my studio,…