This is a partial listing of classes that I teach. I invent new classes on an ongoing basis, and am always open to creating new classes or looking for new ways to teach book arts and mixed media.
1. Accordions and a Star Book
Accordions are so versatile that they can be used for varied content and subject matter. This class is an investigation of accordion books, both simple and layered, with covered boards, pockets, windows, popups, and with stitched books attached to them. Finally we will see how to make a star book with a simple accordion.
2. Altar Books
An altar is perfect for a sacred space, a spiritual work or an homenaje (homage) to a person you want to honor. What better than a book for an altar structure. It can be decorated with gorgeous papers, yarns, charms and beads.
3. Altar Boxes
Working with wood (or cardboard if we build one from scratch), metal, fabric, found objects and other mixed media, you will make an altar that definitely speaks to you and your desires. This can be an altar to honor someone who has passed away, a place to focus your own spirit, or a box in the great tradition of Bette Saar or Joseph Cornell.
4. Altered Books
The latest trend in book arts is Altered Books, and in this fun workshop, you can learn different techniques for decorating the page as well as including built-in drawers and altars, for creating a really unique and unusual artwork. We begin by discussing content and ways to change the focus of the book, the story and the characters.
5. A Weekend of Books and Book Arts.
You won’t believe all the books you can make in this workshop. Beginning with some easy books such as unusual pamphlets, a mailer and some single sheet books, we will progress to a photo book or Japanese side stab binding. In addition, we’ll make some unique accordions as well as a journal or sketchbook that lies flat when you open it.
6. Books as Party Favors and Invitations
Wouldn’t you love to send your guests away with a simple book or elegant keepsake as a party favor? Your parties will be the hit of the year! With a little bit of creativity, a lot of heart, and beautiful materials, we will create books for all occasions. If time permits, we will make an edition of unique books so that each student take home several.
7. Book for Dia de los Muertos (Day of the Dead)
With a large skeleton as a model, each person will make a skeleton with black and white cardstock creating a book in the middle of the body. This book can be your own creation with mixed media materials you bring from home or materials provided. An elk bone will be the spine for the book. What a way to honor someone you love – tell her/his story!
8. Books with Content
It’s so satisfying to learn and make a new book structure that sometimes we forget about content. This class will specifically address content in books – with a lot of surprises, fun book projects to do to stretch our imaginations as we create several different books. When this class is taught over several weeks, each student creates an edition of several books at the last class. We will focus on methods for production, as well as content, so that every participant will go home with a different book from each person in class.
9. Buttonhole Books
The beautiful characteristic of this book is that you can create a journal or sketchbook that opens flat. The name comes from the buttonhole stitch used and sewn on the outside of the journal. This can be decorated with beads or buttons. A great book for gifts, this is a popular structure that you can recreate at home without a lot of equipment.
10. Chinese Sewing Box
Although this Chinese structure looks like a book, inside are very distinctive small connected structures that fold flat but can open up like boxes. Each section can reveal secret books, hidden messages, collected ephemera, or sewing supplies.
