Back to it.

Been back from my short break for just over a week now and have not found much time to do much book binding. Makes me wonder how I ever found the time to go to work. Spent some time with family.

In between days out I have been working on an artist book which involves holes cut in photos of flowers.

More on that as I get nearer to completing it. 

Today I have been taking photos and editing them ready to post more Items on my Esty shop. So far just one new listing.

https://www.etsy.com/uk/listing/245925955/blue-leather-journal-with-button?ref=shop_home_active_1

Away on my Jollys

 One more sleep and I'll be away on my Jollies. Not got any where too exotic, going up to the Yorkshire Dales for a few days. The idea is to do some walking and perhaps get so photos fo work with. Looking forward to the break mainly someone else cooking and the rest.

Saying that as I said in my last post I am enjoying myself and have had a productive week. 

Made "button hole" bound book using one of the papers I had prepared earlier in the week. Was a trial print with a geli plate. Also used some of the tea stained book pages to decorate the spine.

 

Then made a collection of thing from some blue leather bought on my trip out to search for a leather supplier a few weeks ago.

A large leather journal a small leather notebook with button fastening.

A key ring a pendant and some ear rings  from same leather and still some left to make a couple of small books .

Next up was a small envelope shaped note book using a small piece of leather from the same trip.

The last book was a new type of binding for me . Using tapes to attach the signatures to the covers. Love this binding will be using it a lot in the future. 

Well that's it for the time being. My shop has been closed for a few days will be open again Thursday. Although it will be next week before I get to photograph and add the latest books to it. 

Watch this space perhaps I could add to my blog while I'm away internet permitting. 

Enjoying my life.

Needed to spend some time making stuff today as the last couple of weeks have gone by and I have either been working on my computer or only getting a couple hours work done in my studio.
Today I spent the whole day there, (well some of it the kitchen)although I didn't get any thing finished as such, I feel that I've had a productive day. Printed a trial cover picture for my diary, cutting a pile of text blocks ready to make covers, painted some backgrounds to use as covers and collage. Finished the silk painting I started at a workshop I went too, then stained some plain paper and some printed book pages with tea. After that I made a start on an artists book I have been planning.

Doesn't sound like much but I'm so lucky to be able to do this. Lots of stuff to keep me out of mischief for a while. Sat in my little studio shed thingy on a lovely day doing what I enjoy doing. I have a small DVD player in there so when I'm doing the repetive stuff, I can watch a DVD. Today's choice was the old series set in Bradford, "Band of Gold". Had forgotten what a cracking drama it was.

Happy Days :)

A quick post today just to announce the opening of my new Esty Shop.

https://www.etsy.com/uk/shop/PageBooksandstuff?ref=hdr_shop_menu

Having a day off today and having a family day out. Might just get some photos for my blog and future projects.

The beginning of a journey

Over the last few years family stuff has kept me busy but I did manage to do some photography and digital art. Last year things changed in a big way, for family reasons I gave up work and then things changed again. Suddenly I had free time and no job. Approaching 60, I decided to go back to art work and generally making stuff. 

How things have changed since I was at art school. Lots of new materials, learning technics has become easier, lots of videos and information out there just to dig into.

At first I was looking into mixed media things that I could perhaps incorporate my photography and digital stuff. 

This was the first photo I used and although not brilliant it spurred me on.

   

After that I played around with lots of media with varying success. Then I discovered book binding.

I needed a sketch book but couldn't see what I wanted. This lead me to YouTube and the bug bit.

At first lots of mistakes but as with everything it got better. 

Lots of different styles of book binding. Different folds to try. I had found some thing my photography was made for.

A few artist books later got into up cycling books

I have enjoyed this immensely and have since been making other artist books also notebooks that have my photos on and leather journals and lots of different types of books.

This has helped me decide to open an on line shop. This is happen in the next day or too.

The purpose of the blog is to record my journey into the Arts and Crafts world and hopefully as time goes on I can see the improvements.