Austin Book Workers

Exposed Spine Book with Slipcover

2012-01-26T14:25:00.013-06:00

Pictures of books made at class on Jan. 21-22 in San Antonio

First photo on the right, top row, is one of the teacher's book that she made during class to demonstrate the steps.

Her book shows the matching slipcover that we each made (student slipcovers not photographed)

ABW Postcard Swap

2011-08-25T14:46:00.001-05:00

This past spring some members of Austin Book Workers exchanged postcards with a similar group of book artists in Minnesota. "Our hometown" was the theme, and we were to create six postcards about our hometown and to mail them to an assigned partner in the other state. Jen M. organized it here in Austin and was most helpful answering questions, encouraging, and cajoling. Jen, you are great!

Hope my exchange partner wasn't anticipating postcards about Austin, because I am from Indiana. A small town in Indiana, to boot. Sorry about that.

Blizzard fold binding holds the postcards together. If you've not tried blizzard fold, I encourage you to try it. There are excellent directions on the Internet. So what's blizzard fold and why should you bother? Well, it uses no adhesive nor sewing yet the pages stay intact unless you remove them. The postcards you see in the pictures above are firmly inside the binding. Cool?

I added a cover to the outside of the binding to give the book a more finished look. The cover is glued to the binding. A simple book that's a bit different.

Patience

2011-07-26T19:26:00.000-05:00

Headbands.
Notice them?
Ever?
Amateur and professionals use head and tail bands to add dimension to their work, but their design choices say something about the artist and the intended use of the finished book. Headbands are added to the text block, before attaching the cover. No doubt, the artist has already determined what the cover will look like, but typically the overall product is still an idea at this point.

Premade, leather, and omitting headbands altogether are viable options, and all certainly save time in construction. There's something to be said, however, in favor of hand sewing your head and tailbands. It is not easy, no matter how colorful or detailed your instructions may be or how many times you've done it. It's a slow and thoughtful process in which one's patience is rewarded.

A small detail towards the finished product, and admittedly, it is one others may not appreciate, but for the book artist, it is a satisfying detail.

Notice the details, I challenge you.

Now, what about the inside of the book?

2011-06-15T15:44:00.003-05:00

When I tell people that I make books, they assume I write books. The idea of making a book with nothing inside seems to baffle some people. I can almost see it on their faces: "so you make a blank book with no intention of putting anything on the pages inside? Why?"

Given that I have degrees in English and in Speech, it's not a far fetched assumption on their part. Like some book artists, I have made books that involve the interior. Tunnel books, accordian books, and altered books, among others, may insist on using those blank pages .

Other book creations have been inspired by a poem or story so the content dictates the overall design. Additionally, I have two journals I made that I write in on a somewhat regular basis.

But to make a book devoted to my artwork? Never.

A few months ago, a very talented book artist taught a small group of us how to make an art journal. The "aha" moment for me was when she showed us techniques for designs to go -- *gasp* -- on the pristine pages we had just assembled.

Horrors! She made us actually put those techniques in our book. I had never before considered how many blank books I had made. Silly me in not realizing that the title of the class, "Art Journal" actually meant art work.

I am not a professional artist. My art work is typically hidden away, shared with people who have to be nice to me, like my family.

This talented teacher taught me more than the journal construction in forcing me to fill the blank pages inside. She showed me how to think artistically inside the book and I am now busily creating art to fill the journal.

And guess what? It's rather fun.

March meeting of Austin Book Workers

2011-04-02T09:39:00.005-05:00

Apologies for being lazy at posting these pictures taken by Cindy at the March meeting.

It's interesting to look at other's books, no matter if you make books, as we do, or if your interests are different. A group of people with common likes meeting over a collection of titles on that subject will typically generate a passionate discussion.

Granted, we don't appear very animated in these photos. Perhaps it was the presence of the camera or that we were caught listening, but trust me, it was a lively discussion.

Headband Loving

2011-03-04T15:01:00.000-06:00

Either brave or foolish, I have posted my first attempt at stitching a headband for all the world to see. Last week, three of us met to learn how to make a headband. After some frustration, some pride, and much laughter, we each were successful.

Are they perfect? No. Do we care? No. The three of us were encouraged enough to keep practicing. Inspired by the book Headbands; How to Work Them by Jane Greenfield and Jenny Hille and some beautiful photographs found on the internet of book artists who'd made headbands a part of their art, we made our first steps.

It is another component in creating books. I will get better at this and will post more complex headbands as I learn. That's a somewhat sort of firm promise, kind of.

Creative Conversations

2011-02-14T19:50:00.002-06:00

A short while ago I wrote about my attempts to harness inspiration. All of us find ideas for our next project in different places, and I suspect many book artists have a collection of book making magazines and books shelved in their studio or workspace and an embarrassing number of bookmarked sites stored on their computer.

I am a sucker for books, magazines, catalogs, and anything on the subject on the internet. But, the most valuable creative resource for me are other book artists.

Face to face conversations, debates, sharing, and the like for me are invaluable. I am amazed at the variety and talent of others. Even when it's an artistic avenue I don't pursue, I am charged by listening to these creative folk.

So, we all make the same book?

2011-02-14T19:36:00.003-06:00

This year at the monthly ABW meetings we've been watching "The Book Binding Guy Video Workshop" and following along as we work on one step of book construction each month. You might wonder why. I mean, we are a group of book makers, book artists, and book professionals, so don't we already know how to make books?

Yes, most of us do. A few, however, don't. In an attempt to assist beginners, we have committed ourselves to this project. The conversations about book binding that have arisen as we've watched a video segment have been lively, to say the least. Waiting our turn to use the larger equipment allows us to watch another tackle something most of us do alone in our studio. Helping others master, or just catch up, has helped us to become better acquainted.

And hey, setting aside any ego or arrogance, has opened the door to learning. Imagine that.

Elusive Inspiration

2011-01-23T15:44:00.002-06:00

Had an idea for an altered book, and I've been thinking about it at odd moments. While I think it is a great project, I can't get it worked out exactly what it will look like.

Sometime book ideas come skidding across my head, fully formed. I know what the completed work will look like from beginning to end. There might be a few surprises or alterations along the way, but generally the finished book is as I envisioned it.

I wish this was always the case.

Right now I have tantalizing bits of a project in mind. I've tried to force it into reality as I have prepared the book, the cover, selected colors, and assembled possible collage materials. I have a rough focus and know that's my sticking point. The focus. The purpose. What I want the book to say.

For three weeks now I've looked at this project, gotten distracted or frustrated, but am unwilling to give it up.

Advice I've given beginning book workers for finding inspiration hasn't worked for me this time.

Arrrrrrrggghhh!

Artist Profile: EJ Brown

2011-01-19T17:51:00.002-06:00

What defines an artist? There are as many answers to that question as there are artists. For that, I am profoundly grateful. The richness and amazing variety of art challenges, relaxes, focuses, and inspires. The terms "art' and "artist" do not belong exclusively to those who have galleries or whose work is displayed in museums. Professional and amateur, the Austin area is alive with a thriving artistic community.

Of this or any artistic community, the question arises what feeds the creative spirit? For one Austin artist, the answer is gatherings of like-minded people. EJ Brown is a warm and personable mixed media artist who has an affinity for metals. With her biological father a self-taught graphic artist, she's been an artist from birth, always doodling and experimenting. She describes herself as "curious about everything." EJ thrives in an atmosphere where she can do what she wants, be creative, all with a structure that encourages her to complete her vision.

EJ enjoys attending workshops and artistic retreats. If she can't find a group, she will form one. A recent, quite successful group she started was the Art on Windsor group of mixed media artists. She's currently taking sketching classes, a class called Urban Sketching.

Her advice for first time workshop attendees is to take every class/session available by artists one has read about. It's inevitable that some classes or teachers won't quite work out for all participants. It happens. Stick with it, EJ recommends, and return the next year, signing up for those classes from teachers one admires and who presents a good class experience. She recommends Art Unraveled and Adorn Me (http://artunraveled.com/) as two good artistic retreats.

So what artists inspire EJ? Metal Smith’s Keith Lo Bue, (http://keithlobue.blogspot.com) and Michael DeMeng (http://www.wix.com/demeng/michael-demeng) Richard Salley (http://www.rsalley.com/home.html) , mixed media artist, Beckah Krahula, (http://beckahkrahula.com/carolduvall.html) jewelry artist, Susan Lenart Kazmer (http://susanlenartkazmer.net/)

Collage artist, Lance Lesser.( http://www.artnet.com/artist/423779812/lance-letscher.html)

Sketcher, Water colorist, Jules Buck Jones (http://www.julesbuckjones.com/) are only a few whose work recharges EJ's artistic vision.

EJ's work is wonderful and creative which matches her personality. She uplifts those around her.

Bird Book from San Antonio Workshop

2011-01-11T19:51:00.005-06:00

While I was quick to post pictures of the Holiday Book class five members of ABW took in December (additional picture credit goes to Cindy of ABW), I have been slow to post what I made at the class.

Here is the book I made. We had a choice of either kangaroo or goat leather. I chose goat in green. I liked the grain of the goat leather.

While all of our books were the same size, with signatures from the same Schiller paper, our design choices varied greatly. The end paper I chose of red, black, and gold I repeated on the cover with the bird pochoir and inside the book with a different bird design.

I am happy with how the book turned out.

Much credit goes to our two knowledgeable, wonderful, and personable teachers, Maggie and Leslie.

Book Making Class in San Antonio

2010-12-09T15:15:00.001-06:00

The weekend of December 4 and 5, a group from Austin Book Workers traveled to San Antonio to take a 2 day intensive class. We each made a full leather flat back case in book with either inlay or pochoir.

Maggie (standing) was one of the excellent instructors. Two ABW members are seated behind her.

EJ at work.

Cindy sewing her text block.

Helen enjoying a minute's rest.

Instructors Leslie (in dark top on left leaning over the table) and Maggie (in apron standing next to her)

What Books about Book Making Inspire You?

2010-12-03T15:08:00.000-06:00

I confess to having several titles on my shelf, along with various magazines and a notebook of pictures. Some are project books, others are book binding instruction guides; I am a magpie when it comes to this collection. As an amateur book maker, I enjoy seeing what can be done. I admire the creative spirit of the artists represented. Sometimes I have copied what I see (not for sale and I don't claim it as original work), but more often, the artist inspires me to create something unique. The artist's work becomes a springboard to my imagination.

A recent discovery is a small book from the Lark Studio Series. Available from Amazon, it's a series of pictures with title, artist, and book details on the facing page. "Innovative play" is what the introduction to the book calls it.

What books inspire your innovative play?

Deborah

Being a Student

2010-11-12T19:49:00.000-06:00

The leaders of ABW decided to take us through a bookmaking video and to have us make books at the meeting. In October we watched the first lesson, and last night at the November meeting we began assembling our books.

An initial response to this idea might be, "What kind of group is this? Don't these people know how to make books already?" Well, yeah. We do. Some are quite good, actually. There's an impressive number of professionals in the group.

But

there are also newcomers. This is not an elitist group; all who are interested in the art of book making are welcome. Additionally, there's the chance that a more experienced person may learn something, may pick up an idea or technique.

I enjoy making books, and I've enjoyed the resulting discussions from watching last month's video and last night's activity. I don't know everything there is to know about book arts, but so what?

So, I listen. I don't work ahead. I do what I am instructed to do when I am instructed to do it.

And hey, I am having fun.

Deborah

Yearning

2010-11-08T19:37:00.000-06:00

There's something so pleasant to wander through a store that sells paper. I mean, their main product is paper. Not a store that sells everything, including paper that one might be able to use in book making.

Paper. Different colors, sizes, textures. From different parts of the world. Yeah.

A store that stocks so many different shades of the same color. Huge rolls of paper. Handmade paper.

Paper that excites my imagination. Paper that just begs to become part of a book cover or inside pages.

There is a store like this where I used to live, and I am certain there is one here in Austin. I just haven't discovered it yet. If you know of a good paper store, please let me know.

I know of online sources for paper (including the store I mentioned), but it doesn't replace the store experience, seeing the colors and variety.

Deborah

Introduction

2010-11-01T10:50:00.000-05:00

Hello! In an attempt to revitalize this blog, I've agreed to begin writing about the Austin book arts group, book arts in general, and my journey in this area. I hope to interest other ABW members to contribute here. Please send me ideas of what you'd like to see here: resources, interesting book artists, exhibits, and the like. If you would like to write, please contact me.

As means of introduction, let me make clear that I am not a professional artist. My education in book binding has been haphazard and on my own. Maybe you are like me. No doubt many of you are better and more talented than I am. What I bring to the table, so to speak, is an interest, a desire to improve, and enthusiasm.

Why do I bother? It's the joy of creating and the intellectual challenge of constructing a book that draws me back to my studio. Armed in degrees in English and Communication, I have long enjoyed the written word and the power of books. I am perpetually a student, and I admire what those more talented and more creative can do.

Who knows where these entries will lead us.

Deborah

Snowflake Book and FairTradeFair

2009-11-17T09:49:00.003-06:00

December 10th, the second Thursday of the month, Austin Book Workers will show up at the University of Texas I-School Building, 1616 Guadalupe St., Room 1.204 to share their interpretations of a SnowFlake Book. We will admire each others' work and then start asking questions! "Wow, that is cool! How did you get the snowglobe in there to snow?"

The variations are myriad and we hope to coax a little snow to Austin by the combined efforts of our group. (I know, be careful of that for which one wishes.) I suspect some will be small enough to hang from a slender branch and I am thinking of something heavy, made of wood. Then again, I have access to vast quantities of white foam core.

Which brings me to the second part of the meeting, the FairTradeFair. Not a gift exchange, but a swap meet. Some of my extra stuff leaves the space it has been taking up to make room for new and different stuff that has been taking up space in your place. Everyone leaves happy.

Computer Aided Page Imposition October 8, 2009

2009-10-07T14:17:00.005-05:00

The Austin Book Workers/Book Arts October Meeting
October 8, 2009 6:30 PM
University of Texas I-School Classroom
1616 Guadalupe Street, Austin, TX 78701
There is free street parking and a garage on the west side of the building. Building security (locked after 5) requires prompt arrival.

Computer Aided Imposition
How to use your computer and printer to create multiple pages on a single sheet and have it page correctly after it is folded and sewn. The program will be a demonstration of personal computer aided page imposition for printing pages in correct order in multiple signatures or gatherings for sewing into a book block for binding. If you want to print your own books from any electronic format on any printer, this is the tool.

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Austin Book Workers (Austin Book Arts Meetup) meet the second Thursday of every month, September through May. Each meeting is a class on techniques, tools, and talent. Great creative energy.
Austin Book Workers
About Us & Our Activities
Flickr Group:Austin Book Workers has a flickr group for your book related photos. Austin Book Workers on Facebook
Austin Book Workers Homepage
Promoting books and book arts in central Texas...

Letter from the McCune Rare Book and Art Collection

2009-09-04T16:38:00.001-05:00

I would like to bring to your attention the McCune Rare Book and Art Collection (http://www.mccunecollection.org). I am hoping that you might consider adding this as one of your website resources - history of the book.

The McCune Rare Book Collection is located in the JFK Library, 505 Santa Clara St, Vallejo, CA 94590. It does not charge any admission fee. One of the unique features of the McCune is that we encourage people to actually sit down and read our rare books if they are interested.

The McCune is a collection of rare book and art prints. There is a leaf from the Gutenberg Bible (ca. 1450), six other incunabula (books printed before 1501). William Morris' Kelmscott Chaucer (1896) with illustrations by Edward Burne-Jones, the Baskerville Bible (1763), the Doves Bible (1903), and many other rare books. There are famous publisher/printers represented such as Ashendene Press, Baskerville Press, Doves Press, Kelmscott Press, Golden Cockerel Press, Eragny Press, Nonesuch Press, Bruce Rogers, John Henry Nash, and Grabhorn Press.

We also have many early printers from the 15th-18th centuries. We have all the books published by the Book Club of California. We also have a working 1852 Albion Printing Press, as well as many lithographs by Henry Evans.

The McCune has recently begun to put parts of their incunabula collection online. It is under the heading "Early Printing." This section has an illustrated primer to terms used in discussing early books, but it also has a great number of photos of incunabula pages. This includes photos of the Gutenberg Bible leaf and other famous printed early works. The site gives information about the authors of such works, the printers and the subject matter. Some of the authors included are Boethius, Seneca, Virgil, Homer, Thomas Aquinas and Nicolas de Lrya. There is also additional information about other items in the collection.

We would gladly invite any who are in the San Francisco Bay area to come over to the McCune for a free tour of the collection. They can email us at mccunecollection@gmail.com to set up a date and time. We just recently hosted the Book Club of California on a tour of the collection. We extend this invitation to any of your members and readers who get out this way. Our collection is only a short walk from the ferry terminal that connects Vallejo with San Francisco.

Sincerely,
Ken Innes
McCune Collection

Teachers Teach Book Binding

2009-08-03T16:06:00.009-05:00

Priscilla Spitler, former Austin Book Worker now in New Mexico
Click here: Fall classes at Hands On Bookbinding in Truth or Consequences, NM

Wendy Hale Davis, past president of Austin Book Workers
Click here: Fall Class at AMOA Art School at Laguna Gloria

Book Arts Fair Crowded with Book Lovers

2009-07-10T17:42:00.005-05:00

We had a good crowd of about 200 in the studios at Laguna Gloria AMOA Art School Sunday afternoon July 5, 2009. There was a good mix of mostly adults with some children and young adults including AIGA student members.

Furnished with a 16-page signature, visitors added printing, woodcuts and other prints, calligraphy, paste paper and suminagashi, origami, rubber-stamping, collage or another signature, and finally added a pamphlet stitch, covers and endsheets to go home with a book!

The book hospital stayed busy with Mary Baughman handling several patients. Good vibe all afternoon with special first-bookartsfair-worker recognition for Mark Hall (letterpress), Ana Cox (pop-ups), KC Shortes and Becky Stout (folder-greeters), Evan Knight (covers), Beth Morton (with her new cherrywood hole punch cradle) and Michele Collins (origami books).

Capitol City Scribes and Austin Women Printmakers added elegance and pizzaz to the event. Olivia Primanis (decorative paper), Rollin Polk and Tom Poyner (letterpress), Helen Kwiatkowski (sewing, collage), Jinji Willingham (suminagashi) were all returning book arts fair workers. We were tired when we closed it down. Special recognition for Jinji Willingham for handling the pubicity and to Peggy Seeger for helping me get organized.

Austin Book Workers July 2009 NEWS

2009-07-02T11:42:00.005-05:00

BookArtsFair
UnderCoverFriends Book Swap
www.austinbookworkers.blogspot.com
Book Photos on Flickr
Classes
Olivia’s list

Book Arts Fair is Sunday July 5, 1-5 at the Art School AMOA-Laguna Gloria, 3809 West 35th Street , 1:00-5:00 pm. We have Book Workers for many of the fun stations, and more welcome. 13 Book Workers are signed up through the Book Arts Meetup to bring new energy and new ideas to the veterans of many Book Arts Fairs.

UnderCoverFriends Book Swap in June provided an interesting assortment of books/zines which bodes well for the great unCovering at the Thursday, September 10, 6:30PM meeting at the food court at Dobie Mall.
"Over the Rainbow" August 1 theme with UnderCoverFriends. The 2nd book swap is due to Anne R. Taylor in Houston by August 1. Make 3, get 3. Sweet deal. contact: Anne R. Taylor

During the summer, instead of meetings, we swap books. Anne R. Taylor coordinates this summer. First book is due in June, second in August and we show off our books at the September meeting.

The swap is to send three of the same books and receive three different books in return.

The swap will be distributed (mailed) within the first week of June and August.
The size limit is to keep each book within 5 inches by 8 inches and ½ inch thick, otherwise more postage will be required.

We have content in our books. The content can be photos, calligraphy, quotes, rubber stamps, collage, a story, history, definitions, or a combination of all of
the above, which makes it interesting and a little bit of a challenge too.=0 D
Due on June 1: “Zine*”
Due on August 1: “Over the Rainbow”
No staple bindings please; stretch your binding skills.

Priority Mail postage under one pound is $4.95, so you can either send the $4.95 stamp or check (made out to Anne Taylor) in the amount of $4.95 or send $5 in cash. No change sent in the mail please. And if no postage, no mailing will be made until postage is received.

Anne Taylor, swap host - will send her address to the yahoo list before the swap deadlines. Or e-mail Anne at artaylor@comcast.net for the address to send your books. Join the yahoo group at artistbooks@yahoogroups.com for updated info.

There are no “sign ups” for the book swap. Send Anne three of your books to arrive by August 1st(theme “Over the Rainbow”), a Saturday, and you will receive three different books back from three different artists. There are no late arrivals; the books will be saved for the next exchange if they are received after the due date.

In September we meet and share all the items we've received over the summer. Don't miss the September meeting. See fresh books made within the last three months by Austin book artists and their exchange partners.

www.austinbookworkers.blogspot.com is our new web meeting place for information exchange, questions and answers, personal triumphs. If you have photos of your work, or workshops, processes, we can share them on our blog or on Flickr.com. Simply add “ Austin book workers” tags to your photos.

ABW past president Wendy Hale Davis is teaching a book binding class this summer at The AMOA Art School http://theartschool.amoa.org/
3520 Book Binding Instructor: Davis Location: Austin, Laguna Gloria - Studio 7 Tuition:$134.00 Materials Cost: $35.00
Saturday, 10:00 AM - 4:00 PM; Sunday, 1:00 PM - 4:00 PM; 2 sessions starting August 1, 2009, ending August 2, 2009
Also:
3522 Creating Artful Books Instructor: Brooks Location: Austin, Laguna Gloria - Studio 2 Tuition:$105.00 Materials Cost: $0.00 Wednesday, Thursday, 6:00 PM - 9:00 PM; 3 sessions starting July 15, 2009, ending July 23, 2009

If you are not on Olivia Primanis' email list, you are missing a great clipping service drawn from a variety of book related sources. Ask her to add you to the list: oliviaptx@yahoo.com

2009 Book Arts Fair Sunday July 5, 1-5pm

2009-06-30T20:49:00.002-05:00

2009 Book Arts Fair Sunday July 5, 1-5pm
The Twentieth-Something Annual Book Arts Fair –
Bring the family and join us for our 20th-Something Annual celebration! Hands-on, book-related fun for all ages.
What: Annual Book Arts Fair at AMOA-Laguna Gloria
Date: Sunday, July 5st, 2007
Where: 3809 West 35th Street in Art School Classrooms close to the water.
Time: 1:00pm until 5:00pm.
This event is Free and indoors.
Contact: austinbookworkers@gmail.com

The Book Fair is a celebration of the handmade book and the arts associated with it. There will be demonstrations and hands-on events including: paper marbling, paste paper making, calligraphy, miniature book making, pop-up books, creative book structures, working with leather, fine press printing, marbling, calligraphy and paper making.

The event is free, indoor and fun. Come enjoy this hands-on educational opportunity for book lovers of all ages.

Austin Book Workers’ goal is promoting books and book arts in central Texas. Through programs, workshops, and education, Austin Book Workers’ aim is to make Central Texans -- and the world! -- more aware of books and book arts.

Our members are diverse: bookbinders, conservators, calligraphers, retired persons, students, artists, and people who just love books, professional or amateur. The common thread among this eclectic group is the love of books. As a group, we explore everything from artists’ books to fine bindings. Currently, we ask for donations of $12 a year from members.

ABW meets the second Thursday of every month, September through May. Traditionally, September is our Under Cover Friends Revealed program. Programs vary from month to month and center on techniques, tools, and talent.

For more information: austinbookworkers@gmail.com

March 2009 Calendar

2009-02-28T14:14:00.005-06:00

Austin Book Workers aka Austin Book Arts Meetup
March 2009 Calendar
1. Meeting at Frugal Media, 5400 N Lamar #103, Austin, 6:30 pm Thursday, March 12, 2009 (in case you are reading this in 1959). We will make decorative paper Japanese style for covers, endsheets, fly leaves, origami, frames, corners, envelopes, calligraphy, etc. All materials and instruction provided by Jinji Willingham (she of BookFair fame). Inspiration here: http://www.flickr.com/search/?s=int&w=all&q=suminagashi&m=text

2. Wendy Hale Davis Coptic Binding workshop at Jerry’s Artarama (6010 N.IH 35Austin, TX 78752), Saturday, March 7, 12pm-3pm. ($5 to make a book, free to watch).
For inspiration click here.
Wendy’s website is here.

3. Dues Are Due! (were due 1/1/09) Unchanged since 1984, $12 will get you annual membership in Austin Book Workers, all our meetings/classes, BookFair fun, UnderCoverFriends book exchange during the summer, and the privilege of rubbing shoulders with the best and brightest book artists in Austin without having to worry about your $12 being invested in credit default swaps.

4. Austin Book Workers on Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/topic.php?topic=8574&uid=46858700605#/group.php?gid=46858700605 free and open.
Austin Book Workers on Meetup.com: http://bookarts.meetup.com/69/ free and open.
Austin Book Workers Blogspot: http://austinbookworkers.blogspot.com/
Austin Book Workers Flickr Group: http://www.flickr.com/groups/661399@N20/ free and open. This is a public group.

5.Houston Book Arts: Dates set for the Book Arts Retreat! May 1-3, 2009!
Posted by: "leesteinertw" http://us.mc830.mail.yahoo.com/mc/compose?to=leesteinertw@yahoo.com&Subject=%20Re%3ADates%20set%20for%20the%20Book%20Arts%20Retreat%21%20%20May%201-3%2C%202009%21 leesteinertw
Fri Feb 27, 2009 6:31 pm (PST)
Who? Book Arts members and their creative friendsWhat? Weekend Book & Paper Retreat at Earthsprings near Crockett, TXWhen? Friday May 1st until Sunday May 3rdWhere? visit www.earthsprings. net to see the beautiful piney woods of East Texas and to sense the tranquility to be found on 63 acres without cell phones and computers! Why? We all need a chance to get away and recharge our creative batteries. With our 3 meals provided for us each day, we are free to explore the grounds and/or spend our time at the spacious Lodge trying out new book techniques and exchanging ideas. As a theme, I suggest (and will coordinate): Decorative Spines, including Longstitch, Tacketed Spines, and traditional stitch patterns such as the Hemp Leaf, tortoise shell stitch, and the spider web stitch. We may also enjoy just bringing our own projects to work on, quilting bee style, where we can hang out together and share ideas but still do our own things. If there is enough interest, I will lead a papermaking session with natural elements from Earthsprings beautiful setting. Glenda, the owner, and I had discussed using the Sweet Gum saplings to make pulp. And How? Contact me, Lee Steiner, as soon as possible! The deadline to hold your space is March 16th! We need to put in a deposit to hold the Bunkhouse for that weekend so I ask everyone interested to commit $50 (approx. 1/3 of the cost for two nights)towards their stay. Glenda will give us a group discount AND last year's prices! I can't tell you how much I loved being at Earthsprings last summer. I will be at the Houston meeting next Thursday night, March 5th and would love to set this plan in motion! Please respond soon!sunny and cool,Lee

6. Austin Book Worker: Helen Kwiatkowski has two paintings in the Biennial! The opening should be big fun.... and she would love to see you (book artists) there!...
AND- if you're interested in the other Biennial events on Saturday & Sunday.... check out the website below.
TEXAS BIENNIAL 2009 EXHIBITION DATES MARCH 6th - APRIL 11th
Curated by Michael Duncan, A Los Angeles-based independent curator and art critic,
FRIDAY, MARCH 6th 6:00 - 8:00 pm Opening of Group ExhibitionMexican American Cultural Center 600 River Street, Austin2009 Texas Biennial Regular Hours: Mexican American Cultural Center, Tuesday - Thursday 10:00 am - 6:00 pm, Saturday 12:00 - 5:00 pm. For more information and maps to all the venues visit TEXASBIENNIAL.COM

Austin Book Workers February 12 meeting

2009-01-30T21:10:00.004-06:00

February 12, 6:30pm at Dobie Mall (in the food court next to the Dobie Theater) Sonia will lead us in making a functional travel book with an accordian fold, pockets, pages, and places to put maps, ephemera, etc. She is providing the materials for a $5 fee. Bring basic tools if you have them, (if you don't, we share) - bone folder, scissors, craft knife and pad, PVA, spreader....

There is food available in the food court and parking available in the parking garage. Call me at 699-7236 if you need assistance finding a parking place or the food court.

Frugal Media (5400 N Lamar) has offered us a regular meeting place in the back of their used bookstore. Go by, check them out and introduce yourself to Erik.
Jerome Collins

Book Arts Fair, July 3rd, 2-5pm, Austin, Texas

2009-01-09T06:48:00.010-06:00

20th-Something Book Arts Fair
Sunday July 3, 2011 2:00-5:00pm Indoors

Austin Museum of Art graciously lets us use their Art School facilities at beautiful Laguna Gloria for this free event, open to the public, and air-conditioned.

Austin Book Workers and their friends demonstrate book making, book structures, the history of the book, paper making, marbling, suminagashi, paste paper making, gold tooling, calligraphy, letter press printing, and making miniature books. There are several hands-on areas where kids of all ages can have fun playing.

Book Fair is a celebration of the handmade book and the arts associated with it. There will be demonstrations and hands-on events including: paper marbling, paste paper making, miniature book making, pop-up books, creative book structures, working with leather, fine press printing, history of the book, calligraphy, paper making and a children's book hospital where a child may bring his or her board book to be repaired.

The event is fun as well as a hands-on educational opportunity for book lovers of all ages. For more information austinbookworkers@gmail.com

Book Fair, July 2008

2009-01-09T06:48:00.009-06:00

Pictures of Book Fair.

Austin Book Workers and their friends demonstrate book making, book structures, the history of the book, paper making, marbling, suminagashi, paste paper making, gold tooling, calligraphy, letter press printing, and making miniature books. There were several hands-on areas where kids of all ages had fun playing.

Who We Are

2009-01-09T06:43:00.002-06:00

Austin Book Workers is an organization dedicated to furthering bookmaking and book arts in Austin, Texas, from ancient scrolls to e-books. We meet the second Thursday of every month, September through May.

Through programs, workshops, and education, Austin Book Workers aim is to make central Texans -- and the world! -- more aware of books and book arts. The common thread among us is the love of books. As a group, we explore everything from artists books to fine bindings. Our members are diverse: bookbinders, conservators, calligraphers, retired persons, students, artists, and people who just love books.

Currently, our dues are $12 a year for membership. Please go to our organization's main website for further information.