A Passion For Handmade Books tag:typepad.com,2003:weblog-95757728995514124 2012-02-28T09:50:44-05:00 The Blog of Jenni Bick Bookbinding. Making the world more beautiful, one handmade book at a time. TypePad We don't usually like to brag, but... tag:typepad.com,2003:post-6a01543325a25d970c01630227183e970d 2012-02-28T09:50:44-05:00 2012-02-28T09:50:44-05:00 We are pretty proud of ourselves this week at JBB. Last Monday, we started a pretty intense project: 300 custom handmade leather journals. The steps of this project looked a little something like this: 1. Tear and fold almost 15,000 sheets of paper into neat 12 page signatures. 2. Cut... Laura Radcliffe

We are pretty proud of ourselves this week at JBB. Last Monday, we started a pretty intense project: 300 custom handmade leather journals. The steps of this project looked a little something like this:

1. Tear and fold almost 15,000 sheets of paper into neat 12 page signatures.

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2. Cut 300 pieces of leather, from full cowhides to sheets about 7"x18", as well as 300 strap closures.

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3. Hole Punch each sheet of leather for binding sticthes.

4. Stitch every book together.

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5. Affix each strap, complete with color coordinated stone embellishment.

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6. Individually wrap & package each book.

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This may not seem like that big of a deal, but did I mention the six of us made all 300 journals in the span of three days, while maintaining our regular business duties? Like I said, we're very proud. Here are some photos of the final products:

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Interested in some custom handmade leather journals, or possibly a One of a Kind Leather Journal? Drop us a line about your idea - we love new creative projects!

 

 http://blog.jennibick.com/2012/02/we-dont-usually-like-to-brag-but.html Once upon a giant gift wrap tag:typepad.com,2003:post-6a01543325a25d970c0168e78826eb970c 2012-02-17T17:11:04-05:00 2012-02-17T17:14:03-05:00 I'm just going to say it...I have an addiction to gift wrap. I love to do it, I love to collect it, and I love to learn new techniques of it. This love has to stem from the early memories I have of going with my mom to those dimly... Laura Radcliffe

I'm just going to say it...I have an addiction to gift wrap.

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I love to do it, I love to collect it, and I love to learn new techniques of it.  This love has to stem from the early memories I have of going with my mom to those dimly lit Customer Service crevices in department stores that have their in-store gift-wrapping options hanging on the wall.

You know the places I’m talking about.

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Even though the end products were never quite right, the shiny paper, assorted ribbon, and silk flowers called to me; I was hooked.

My interest in the topic has only grown since. I often daydream about a home studio that includes this wall:

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While my studio does include an unmentionable amount of wrapping paper rolls, ribbon, fancy scissors, and the like, it has yet to turn into the previously pictured oasis.

While working at JBB, I have been fortunate enough to include gift-wrapping in my job description. I like to say that I gift-wrap professionally.  Cue this week’s order for one of our amazing Tiberio Italian Leather Weekend Bags. I was excited to see this order, not only because it is one of my absolute favorite items on the site, but because it also called for gift-wrapping! 

The Challenge: Gift-wrap 1 Tiberio Italian Leather Weekend Bag, dimensions 11” x 17” x 8”. 

The Outcome: Success!

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Here’s our Art Director, Alison, with the finished product.

It wasn’t easy, but nothing that’s worth anything ever is! I have to thank the rest of the JB Crew for supporting my undertaking, especially Jen, our shipping manager, who had to then carefully package the gift for shipment.

Be sure to check back next week for some of my gift-wrapping techniques. Happy Friday!

 

 

 

 http://blog.jennibick.com/2012/02/once-upon-a-giant-gift-wrap.html And speaking of book artists.. tag:typepad.com,2003:post-6a01543325a25d970c016301546661970d 2012-02-13T16:33:35-05:00 2012-02-13T16:33:35-05:00 Every once in awhile, a project comes along that sounds like too much fun to pass up. When a recent customer contacted our art department with the challenge of creating custom distressed leather hand bound books entitled "It Only Takes One," for the clothing company Cult of Individuality, we jumped... Laura Radcliffe

Every once in awhile, a project comes along that sounds like too much fun to pass up. When a recent customer contacted our art department with the challenge of creating custom distressed leather hand bound books entitled "It Only Takes One,"  for the clothing company Cult of Individuality, we jumped at the chance to produce something beautiful.

You may not know that leather can be naturally distressed (i.e. if a cow had a scar, chances are the scar shows on the leather hide), or it can be distressed by hand. We honestly didn't know how difficult distressing leather would be! We started with this rich and supple charcoal leather.

Leather before

In order to achieve the right look, our art director Alison went through some rough and tumble with the leather in our gravel parking lot.

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This might not be the traditional leather distressing method, but the results were stellar:

Leather after

Throw in a drill press, hand sewn binding, and French folded pages, and Voilà!

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Pages

Needless to say, we were all very proud of the art department when the books were finished.

If you are in need of a custom leather book, or you're looking for some other examples of Distressed Leather Journals or Photo Albums, give us a buzz. We can't take on every custom project, but we're happy to listen and as always, happy to help!

 http://blog.jennibick.com/2012/02/and-speaking-of-book-artists.html Happy Birthday, Charles Dickens! tag:typepad.com,2003:post-6a01543325a25d970c016300f75e91970d 2012-02-07T17:14:03-05:00 2012-02-07T17:14:03-05:00 Two-hundred years ago today, Charles Dickens was born. We'd like to join in with Google in wishing him a happy happy birthday! Check out their homage to Dickens and his wonderful characters. Famous for works such as The Adventures of Oliver Twist, David Copperfield, A Tale of Two Cities, Great... Laura Radcliffe

Two-hundred years ago today, Charles Dickens was born. We'd like to join in with Google in wishing him a happy happy birthday! Check out their homage to Dickens and his wonderful characters.

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Famous for works such as The Adventures of Oliver Twist, David Copperfield, A Tale of Two Cities, Great Expectations, and my personal favorite, A Christmas Carol, the world has Dickens to thank for some of the best works to come from the Victorian Era.

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There are various tributes to Dickens still alive and well today. A family tradition of mine as a child was attending Dickens on the Strand every first weekend of December near where I grew up in Galveston, Texas. Many festival volunteers and patrons dress up in traditional Victorian costumes for the event (yes, I did it. I was a kid, and you got in for free!). Bobbies, Beefeaters and the "Queen" herself are on hand to recreate the Victorian London of Charles Dickens, right down to the horse-drawn carriages and scotch eggs. It's really quite a treat.

We have our own tribute to Dickens here at Jenni Bick. We're happy to offer a Dickens Our Mutual Friend Leather Look Journal as part of our Paperblanks Embellished Manuscripts Collection. 

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Perhaps it's the perfect journal for getting started on your next great masterpiece; You never know!

 http://blog.jennibick.com/2012/02/happy-birthday-charles-dickens.html Book Artists are alive and well tag:typepad.com,2003:post-6a01543325a25d970c0168e66d8419970c 2012-01-31T12:06:31-05:00 2012-01-31T12:06:31-05:00 They live everywhere. They work with a set of utensils that, to the unknowing eye, appear to be unusual torture tools. They're book artists, and there may even be one living in your neighborhood. Some book artists specialize in one of a kind books, while others produce small editions. Ranging... Laura Radcliffe

They live everywhere. They work with a set of utensils that, to the unknowing eye, appear to be unusual torture tools. They're book artists, and there may even be one living in your neighborhood.

Some book artists specialize in one of a kind books, while others produce small editions. Ranging from "objects" to scrolls to printed & bound editions, the art of the book has been around for some time. Experts on the subject credit English poet & artist William Blake with the origin of the form. Together with his with Catherine, Black wrote, illustrated, colored and bound his pieces, and in addition to inspiring potential book artists everywhere, he integrated the world of self-publishing & self-distributing with the world of text, imagery, and art form.

Book artists today work with many different materials, styles, techniques, and purposes. Because we're such fans of journals, and of excellent craftsmanship, here are a couple of book artists making beautiful pieces, and giving all of us bookbinders a good name.

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photos courtesy of Teo Studio

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photos courtesy of Serena Olivieri

 

As for us, we're happy we get the chance to create One of a Kind Leather Journals, as well as Leather Photo Albums, Fine Leather Wallets & Accessories, and the like, every day. We even carry a collection dedicated to the father of book arts himself; view our William Morris Paperblanks Journals.

 

Big thanks to Etsy & Design*Sponge for bringing these talented artists to our attention!

 http://blog.jennibick.com/2012/01/they-live-everywhere-they-work-with-a-set-of-utensils-that-to-the-unknowing-eye-appear-to-be-unusual-torture-tools-theyre.html There's nothing quite like a real book. tag:typepad.com,2003:post-6a01543325a25d970c0167604fcdca970b 2012-01-10T16:21:29-05:00 2012-01-10T16:21:50-05:00 We couldn't agree more. This video, made by an ambitious couple in Toronto's TYPE Bookstore, provides a particularly charming glimpse into the secret lives of books. Enjoy! Laura Radcliffe

We couldn't agree more. This video, made by an ambitious couple in Toronto's TYPE Bookstore, provides a particularly charming glimpse into the secret lives of books. Enjoy!