I am, obviously, way behind on, well, everything right now. I can probably blame some of that on my new blog, which I've been compelled to write in just about every day. The class I'm teaching, even though it's only one section, is keeping me stepping looking for new material for them to read, because I've never taught journals or diaries as lit before. Plus, it's hot out (and inside since I don't have AC) and this is when my friends and I do a lot of catching up. Summer is for playing! I don't think I've ever really gotten away from that academic schedule in my head, despite years of corporate employment. And my energy level is kinda low right now, something I hope will fix itself in a couple of weeks. Anyway, that all combines to produce the benign neglect of my blog that you see here. So let me do a little catch-up today with some selections from people who aren't slackers like me.
First up, a fab video from Asheville bookbinder Annie Fain talking about sewing books, being an artist, making books. If it looks professionally done, that's because it's part of the series by Ursula Gullow, producer of Art Seen Asheville cable tv. Enjoy! Her blog is fantastic, too, so check it out.
- If you're in NYC and interested in stamping and other paper arts, The Ink Pad is having its third annual A*Muse*A*Palooza Stamp Extravaganza July 7-13th. "Seven days of fun with two classes, one Make-n-Take, and a card contest." The staff there are lovely, funny, helpful and very knowledgeable. I always drop way too much money there when I go in.
- Links! Lots of 'em! The Centre for Fine Print Research in the UK has a massive list of book arts links from all over the world that's definitely worth checking out. It's frequently updated and comes with handy little descriptions.
- Paper Sewing tutorial links, yet another technique (which includes paper quilting) for book and paper arts, over here at Silverspring Studios.
- Green Chair Press, one of my favorites, has an exquisite set of letterpress printed playing cards which I'm coveting like you would not believe. And I don't even play card games. But cards—they're kind of a passion of mine. I love unusual card sets. These are just gorgeous. If you missed my birthday . . . (hint, hint).
- Paper Dragon Books, a new(ish) bindery and printshop in Chelsea here in NYC. How did I miss this when it opened? (thanks to Moontree Arts for the heads up).
- Vroooom! This paper V12 engine blew me away. Engineers and architects make models like this all the time, but usually they're computer-rendered. This one wasn't rendered until it was hand-built first. Amazing.
- Calico Cat Press, who's doing some interesting books, lately.
- In case you missed it, the NYTimes had a nifty article on font design programs and some of the cool, free fonts that are coming out of them. Being a font junkie myself, this delighted me.One of these days, I'm going to get around to giving that a go, along with making my own paper and printing my books on letterpress. Yep, any day now.
- &rew Borloz (don't you love that use of the ampersand?) of Urban Paper Arts has been doing a beautiful and fascinating series on visual journaling over his blog. You'll have to scroll through to find the specific entries, but believe me, it won't be a hardship. &rew has some beautiful stuff on his blog.
- Amazing, amazing comic strips (though that seems entirely the wrong term) by Coco Wang about the May Chinese earthquake. Get a hanky before you click. (Thanks to Ampersand Duck and Arctic Oak for the heads up)
- Nice interview with Elissa Campbell of Blue Roof Designs with pictures of her and a great slideshow of her books.
- Beautiful paper objects, some under glass from Lyndie Dourthe. The site is in French, but just click through the links to see her anatomical doll illustrations, paper flowers, displays under glass and more pretty fabulous displays and installations. (Tip o' the hat to Double Happiness
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