Wednesday and Thursday, November 14 and 15 / 10 am – 3 pm

In this class, students will make a totally unique mailable book whose cover is a shipping box that can – and will– be sent through the mail. Two books will be made over the course of two days: one the students will address to themselves – which will be mailed by the instructor after the class is over– and one addressed to a friend for students to mail when they choose. Upon arrival in the mail, the flaps of the boxes are opened and trimmed to create the finished book. Class activities will include assembling and embellishing the page sections of the books; sewing the sections into the boxes; embellishing and addressing the covers of the books and creating a button closure.  If you love postage stamps, mail art collage, or upcycled crafts, this is the class for you. All experience levels welcome.

Instructor: Bel Mills
Ages: Adult (15+) / All levels

Supply list: 

• Bookbinding needle or other Large Needle
• Four 8.5 x 11 sheets of Cardstock in your Favorite Color
• Embroidery Thread
• Lunch

Saturday, November 3 / 10 am – 2 pm

In this fun introductory class, you will learn how to use patterned paper, book cloth, and waxed thread to turn an ordinary bar-soap box into a thick mini-journal with a hand-stitched spine. Students will leave with a compact journal ideal for taking on the road or giving as a gift. With just over 365 pages, the journal is also an ideal “line-a-day” diary, habit tracker, or dream journal. Also a great place for artists to test pens and paints, or demo rubber stamps. A variety of basic bookbinding techniques will be covered, including proper folding, gluing and stitching practices. Both novice and intermediate book makers welcome.

Instructor: Bel Mills
Ages: Adult (15+) / All levels

Supply list: 

• Soap Box
• Bookbinding needle or other Large Needle
• Lunch
• All other materials included with registration

Sunday, October 21 / 1 – 4 pm

You have a wealth of book-making materials passing through your home every day, often ending up in the trash or recycling. In this fun introductory class, students will learn to turn junk mail envelopes into clever pocketbooks using basic bookbinding and collage techniques. Two pocketbooks will be completed during the class, so you’ll finish with a gift for a friend or family member. This structure is perfect for stashing cash and credit cards, tickets and ephemera, or any other small treasures. Both novice and intermediate book makers welcome.

Instructor: Bel Mills
Ages: Adult (15+) / All levels

Supply list: 

• 8 junk mail business reply envelopes of similar size 
• Double-sided tape 
• Glue Stick
• Book binding needle or other large needle

Sunday, October 14 / 10 am – 5 pm

This popular marbling workshop will introduce students marbling techniques on fabric that can be used for covering books and boxes. Students will begin the day by working on basic marbling skills. With the instructor’s guidance, they will work on new patterns with an eye for nuance. The main focus will be on marbling fabric to create book cloth, and techniques for other textile uses will also be discussed. At the end of the day, the instructor will demonstrate how to prepare pieces of marbled cloth for use in bookbinding. Students will leave with their own stack of 15 marbled fabric pieces. All materials provided with registration.

Instructor: Pietro Accardi
Ages: Adults (15+) / All levels

Wednesday, August 15 / 10 am – 5 pm

In this introductory class, student will gain a basic understanding of history, techniques, tools and styles of European marbling. Students will get hands on experience of all aspects of marbling from paper priming and preparatory mixing of water medium and paints, to the creation of classical patterns. Specific attention will be given to learning how to obtain particular designs using a diverse array of rakes and combs. Students will have ample time for experimentation with guidance from the instructors. All materials included with registration.

Instructor: Pietro and Vanessa Accardi
Ages: Adults (15+) / All levels

Tuesday – Thursdays, July 17 – 19 / 10 am – 3 pm

In this 3-day workshop will introduce students marbling techniques on both paper and fabric. Students will begin the day by working on basic marbling skills. With the instructor’s guidance, they will work on new patterns with an eye for nuance. Students will get hands on experience of all aspects of marbling from preparatory mixing of water medium and paints, to the creation of classical patterns. Specific attention will be given to learning how to obtain particular designs using a diverse array of rakes and combs. Students will have ample time for experimentation with guidance from the instructor. Day three will allow for open studio time for student to continue to work on their own pieces after learning the basics. All materials provided with registration.

Instructor: Pietro and Vanessa Accardi
Ages: Adults (15+) / All levels

Tuesday and Wednesday, May 22 and 23 / 10 am – 5 pm

This two-day workshop will take students through Western marbling techniques on fabric and then constructing a book wrapped in their own marbled cloth. Students will begin on the first day the introduction of marbling on fabric. With the instructors, they will work on new patterns with an eye for nuance. The primary focus will be on marbling fabric to create book cloth. Techniques for other textile uses will also be discussed. On day two, using the marbled fabric they created, students will create book cloth to use on the cover of the book they will bind. The instructor will teach his unique binding style based on methods used in contemporary Northern Italy. Each student will leave with a handbound book covered in fabric they patterned and marbled.

Instructors: Pietro and Vanessa Accardi
Ages: Adult (15+) / All levels

Supply list: Brush for glue, sharp scissors. All other materials provided with registration.

Wednesday, April 25 / 10 am – 5 pm

An indestructible cover, inspired by Italy’s 1970’s solution to the Yellow Pages in public phone booths, this 360-degree flexible binding offers many advantages because it bends and does not break! It offers visual and tactile delight, employing strips of articulated boards and marbled fabric. In this workshop, instructor Pietro Accardi will instruct students in the art of this rare binding technique. Students will create a large and small articulated blank journal that can beautifully withstand the ravages of time. All materials provided.

Instructor: Pietro Accardi
Ages: Adult (15+) / All levels*
*some book arts experience is helpful but not required

Saturday, February 3 / 10:30 am – 4:30 pm

Create a beautiful hardcover journal with exposed sewing on the spine and inventive book covers. The Coptic-Style book is an ancient structure that combines beauty and durability. In addition to learning this extraordinary technique, you will learn how to easily adapt the structure to create a photo album and create permanent collage book covers with gel medium. Some bookbinding experience is helpful but not required.

Supply List: Pencil, 18” metal ruler, Xacto knife, bookbinding awl, bone folder, medium and large binder clips, 1” glue brush.

Instructor: Katherine Case
Ages: 15 and Up / All Levels

Tuesday, February 20 / 10 am – 5 pm

This popular marbling workshop will introduce students marbling techniques on fabric that can be used for covering books and boxes. Students will begin the day by working on basic marbling skills. With the instructor’s guidance, they will work on new patterns with an eye for nuance. The main focus will be on marbling fabric to create book cloth, and techniques for other textile uses will also be discussed. At the end of the day, the instructor will demonstrate how to prepare pieces of marbled cloth for use in bookbinding. Students will leave with their own stack of 15 marbled fabric pieces. All materials provided with registration.

Instructor: Pietro and Vanessa Accardi
Ages: Adults (15+) / All levels