There was an unmistakable autumnal nip in the air on the morning of our first meeting back after the summer. The sun was still trying to shine in between sharp showers, and the day was promising. It was so nice to hear the hum of conversation in the hall as I arrived, and I was delighted to see the super arrangement of handmade books which Elizabeth Shorrock, our tutor for the day, had displayed for us all to see.
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We were very enthusiastic to begin our workshop, each of us I think, hoping to gain some ability and refresh our skills in the art of folded bookmaking.
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Elizabeth introduced herself and immediately put us at ease with the subject matter, there was something quite relaxing about folding the paper to make the books, until approximately the third sample when I decided that I might be slightly lacking in dexterity skills!
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I would say that as long as you have good eyesight and a good memory, folded bookmaking is absolutely fine! However, we all made our samples successfully, and covered the basics required to spur us on to make our own style of book.
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It transpired that you could use all sorts of papers to make any style of book within the realm of paper folding. Elizabeth made it look so easy but was on hand with help immediately if it was needed. We were introduced to the skill of stitching the finished article together and also how to add pages and other features to our creations. In fact we packed a lot into the day and some of us actually finished the books to take home
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 | Add to that the Annual General Meeting, and I think that's called value for money! Everyone enjoyed themselves tremendously, and thank you to those of you that helped the people sitting next to them who found some folding quite challenging! Needless to say that I think that I speak for everyone when I say that we felt like we had all achieved something by the end of the day. |
I will certainly try this technique again, and it might be a nice idea to incorporate some examples of members work into the forthcoming exhibition at Barton Grange. A big thank you goes to Elizabeth, for such an interesting and enjoyable course (for which you didn't need to bring lots of equipment), and I certainly hope we have Elizabeth again in the future.
As a point of interest, Elizabeth is currently exhibiting her work at:
'Collect Cumbria' - work of various artists at Blackwell Arts and Crafts House, near Bowness.
'C-Art' Exhibition at the Rheged Centre, Penrith
'Bookmarks, Page, Paper,Stitch ' at the Signature Gallery , Kendal.
The last two exhibitions are made up of three artists' work, of which Elizabeth is one.
By the way....The sun was still shining when we left the Church Hall!
The last two exhibitions are made up of three artists' work, of which Elizabeth is one.
By the way....The sun was still shining when we left the Church Hall!
"Many thanks to Ann Warren for this account of the day."
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