Workshops

Bringing together my accumulated skills in metal-smithing and bookbinding, I offer workshops specifically geared for the book artist, teaching them how to fabricate metal book clasps, closures and book decorations.

Using readily available tools and materials, participants learn simplified metal working skills and metal decorating techniques, how make hinges and clasps, using only cold connections (no soldering.)

During a two day workshop, students will make two different clasps, one simpler strap style, and another more complex hinged style, and will learn how to properly attach both onto a book with wooden boards.

Workshop Sample Book

Clasps are attached to a model book made with wooden boards which students are required to make and bring to the workshop. For those who may be unfamiliar with making books in wooden boards, I provide very clear instructions ahead of time for constructing a very simple book like the one above which is perfect for use in my workshop. The sample book in the photo above and in the clasp photos below show two clasps similar to those which will be made in a two day workshop. Click on thumbnails for a larger view of each photo.

I also demonstrate the use of patinas for coloring metal, and students will have an opportunity to apply a patina their clasps if they wish. If there is extra time we may begin another clasp, or I may demonstrate the construction of bosses like the one shown on the sample book above, or other types of book decorations.

Participants leave the workshop with some basic, very practical and useful skills for making metal fasteners and decorations suitable for use on books or boxes.

I provide almost all tools, equipment, and supplies for students use. Detailed written instructions and supplier information are provided in class handouts. Students pay a small materials fee to cover shipping of tools and cost of supplies in addition to the class fee. Workshops are usually two days long, but can be longer. Obviously, the longer the workshop, the more techniques will be taught and the more work the student will be able to accomplish.

I have taught workshops at the Center for Book and Paper Arts at Columbia College in Chicago; at the 2004 Paper and Book Intensive (PBI); and at the Oregon Book Arts Guild Focus Conference 2005. In 2006, I did a workshop for the New York Guild of Bookworkers and one at the Huntington Library. In 2007, California Hand Bookbinders, Oakland, Ca, and at Hollander’s in Ann Arbor, MI. And again at the Center for Book and Paper Arts at Columbia College in Chicago in 2008.

Fasteners and clasps similar to some of those taught in some of the classes can be viewed throughout my original web site at bookclasp.com. The group photo below, shows some examples of the output from on of my four day workshops. Click on photo for a larger view.

PBI Workshop Examples (All works copyrighted by the artists who created them.)

More workshop photos and clasp examples are linked through this page.

If you might be interested in planing a workshop, please contact me for more information. (Be sure to replace the (at) in the address with the proper symbol.)