Part of my move to Austin meant that I would not be able to conduct the annual set book interviews in person anymore. This year, I lost the ability to handle the bindings in person, to really see the incredible details of the work added with care and intention by each of the students. But the interviews, which were conducted through Zoom, were still the highlight of my week. It was such a joy to speak with each of these budding bookbinders. Their energy and excitement reminded me of how special North Bennet is as a place. We spoke about their futures, the dread over their two-year journey comi ..read more

The blog is going to experience a makeover in early 2023. To get regular updates on upcoming workshops, please sign-up for the newsletter.  FEBRUARY Dos Rapporté Binding2 Sessions // February 11 & 12 (Sat & Sun mornings) 9:00am – 11:30am (CST) SOLD OUT – Wait List Dos Rapporté is an elegant binding created by Ben Elbel around 2005. Rapporté loosely translates from French as something that comes back together. To create this unique structure, the covers and spine are covered separately and brought together to finalize the binding. This binding is an elegant solution for a book tha ..read more

FEBRUARY Dos Rapporté Binding2 Sessions // February 11 & 12 (Sat & Sun mornings) 9:00am – 11:30am (CST) Register by January 31st Dos Rapporté is an elegant binding created by Ben Elbel around 2005. Rapporté loosely translates from French as something that comes back together. To create this unique structure, the covers and spine are covered separately and brought together to finalize the binding. This binding is an elegant solution for a book that can open flat based on the unique folding technique for the spine piece. In this workshop students will create a model of the Dos Rapport ..read more

JULY/AUGUSTSecret Belgian Binding4 Sessions // July 9 – 17 (Saturday – Sunday) 10:00am – 12:30pm (EST) Sign-up by June 28 to receive your material kit! – 4 SPOTS LEFT The Secret Belgian binding, also known as Criss Cross binding, was developed by Anne Goy in the mid-1980s and is influenced by traditional Japanese binding styles. The binding is simple and easy to construct; it opens flat and is perfect for thinner text blocks. Students will construct 3 variations of this structure, including a style which uses Tyvek as the binding agent. Focus on Clamshell 4 Sessions // July 26 – August 4 (Tue ..read more

At the beginning of the school year in Fall 2020, I had the honor of ushering in a new group of students. I was invited to teach the incoming class for about a month and a half. And over the past two years, I’ve enjoyed getting to see their journey and show them a couple of other techniques here and there. In the past, I would be at school at least once a week, but the time I get to spend at North Bennet has continued to be limited due to COVID. So when I stopped in to interview the students, I had very little knowledge about the outcome of their set books. It was a real treat to be thoroughly ..read more

MAY/JUNE Modern Nag Hammadi3 Sessions // May 31 – June 7 (Tuesday and Thursday evenings) 6:00 – 8:30pm (EST) Sign up by May 19 to receive your material kit! – Only 1 Spot Left! In this workshop, we will explore how some of the earliest known codices may have been constructed. The best-known examples were discovered in a jar near the Egyptian village of Nag Hammadi in 1945. These mostly intact bindings date back to the 3rd or 4th century, but fragments of similar bindings date back further to the 2nd century. These single signature bindings are held in their leather covers with the use of knot ..read more

May/June Modern Nag Hammadi3 Sessions // May 31 – June 7 (Tuesday and Thursday evenings) 6:00 – 8:30pm (EST) Sign up by May 19 to receive your material kit! In this workshop, we will explore how some of the earliest known codices may have been constructed. The best-known examples were discovered in a jar near the Egyptian village of Nag Hammadi in 1945. These mostly intact bindings date back to the 3rd or 4th century, but fragments of similar bindings date back further to the 2nd century. These single signature bindings are held in their leather covers with the use of knotted leather tackets ..read more

Giveaway and Announcement! Over the past year and a half I’ve been teaching workshops online from my home studio. I’ve accumulated lots of models from teaching students from all over the world. I’m excited to announce these models are now for sale. All of the proceeds will go toward organizations dedicated to building up individuals and strengthening communities through art and craft. TO ENTER: Click over to Instagram and find the image above^ 1. Like this post 2. Tag a friend in the comments and tell me what you love about books and/or boxes! (multiple comments count as multiple entries) Con ..read more

MARCH Flatback Case Binding 2 Sessions // March 26 & 27 (Saturday and Sunday) 10:00am – 1:00pm (EST) Sign-up by March 15 to receive your material kit! ONLY 4 SPOTS LEFT!! The Flatback Case Binding is one of the most common and recognizable structures today. In this workshop, students will learn foundational binding skills to assemble two different styles of covering known as quarter cloth and half cloth. The Flatback Case Binding is easy to construct and is perfect for small publications, artist books, journals and more. APRILChoose Your Own Adventure: Non-Adhesive Bindings 1 – 4 Sessions ..read more

FEBRUARY Secret Belgian Binding2 Days // February 12 & 13 (Saturday – Sunday) 8:30am – 4:30pm In-Person Workshop @ North Bennet Street School in Boston The Secret Belgian binding, also known as Criss Cross binding, was developed by Anne Goy in the mid-1980s and is influenced by traditional Japanese binding styles. The binding is simple and easy to construct; it opens flat and is perfect for thinner text blocks. Students will construct 3 variations of this structure, including a style which uses Tyvek as the binding agent. Box Series4 Sessions // February 15 – 24 (Tuesday and Thursday even ..read more