Monday, September 24, 2012

Holiday Gift Box Making Weekend Workshop coming in December

Hello Bookbinders,

Packaging makes all the difference, especially when you're on a budget and have something small and of sentimental value to give. Creating a beautiful handmade box or container for your gift goes a LONG way.

Let's say you've got a piece of family jewelry you'd like to pass on to a loved one, or the handkerchief you carried down the aisle at your wedding, or the baby booties your great grandmother crocheted, your great aunt's button collection, or a fishing lure your father made years ago... these are items we've treasured and now want to pass on. Make them even more special by designing and creating the container they'll be presented in and will live in for years to come.

During my weekend workshop, we'll create a small lidded box that can have compartments added within and a collapsable container good for storing items upright. Read below for more details and to sign up!

Holiday Boxes 12/1

Holiday Boxes 12/1 (ARTZ1234)

Holiday Boxes with Anne Elser
All Levels | Price: $190 | Min.5/ Max.8
ARTZ1234 | Sat. & Sun. Dec. 1 & 2, 10:30am - 4:30pm

Make a Collapsible Container and a Keepsake Box in one weekend workshop. Both are made from chipboard covered with decorative Washi Paper and can be used to hold supplies, brushes, pens, q-tips, jewelry, gifts, trinkets, ribbon and more. Handouts supplied and hands on advice ready to help you with all the loving details needed to make your structures sound and beautiful. Make them for yourself or as a gift. Supplies needed can be purchased at BINDERS® right before the workshop.

For more information about this instructor and supply lists, please see Instructor Bios & Supply Lists in the menu to right, under Art School at BINDERS®.

By enrolling in this course you certify that you have read and understand The Art School Policies and Registration procedures located in the menu to right, under Art School at BINDERS®.

THIS CLASS IS AT OUR ATLANTA STORE.

Your Price: $190.00
Qty: 
Availability:  8 In Stock

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Thursday, September 20, 2012

Wednesday, September 19, 2012

Holiday Cards & Envelopes Calligraphy Workshop October 27th & 28th



Holiday Cards and Envelopes with Anne Elser

Holiday Cards Env 10/27 (ARTZ1235)


All Levels | Price: $190 | Min.5/ Max.8
ARTZ1235 | Sat. & Sun. Oct. 27 & 28, 10:30am - 4:30pm

Create your own calligraphic design for whichever holiday you wish to share most. Students will be given customized instruction on layout and technique using the materials they bring to class. We will be writing, flourishing, painting, stenciling, cutting windows, stamping and more!

Learn to create your own cards that are easy to reproduce at home by creating a template and adding layers of detail to the card in an enjoyable and systematic fashion. Emphasis will be placed on enhancing the meaning of your message in order to fully engage your audience.

Day two is spent finalizing the prototype of your chosen design and with it, a system of producing it. We will also create a perfect envelope template for your card.

Monday, September 17, 2012

An Interview with Yves Leterme: What turns him On, Off, Inward & Forward.



In preparation for our next Atlanta Penablers meeting on October 5th, calligrapher Yves Letermehas generously given us some compelling thoughts to ponder. 
After reading, we dare you not to sign up for his Italic Variations workshop on October 6th & 7th. There are still a few seats left!
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Anne  Elser: What is your favorite word?
Yves Leterme: Wabi-Sabi – the subtle beauty of imperfection.
AE: What is you least favorite word?
YL: Vakoverschrijdende eindtermen – you probably don’t understand: it’s a long story… think of useless documents one has to fill in.
AE: Describe your earliest memory of feeling your first creative spark.
YL: I honestly can’t remember, probably because I wasn’t creative at all as a young boy. I was much better in consuming art: reading books, listening to music, watching movies… come to think of it, I wouldn’t call myself “a creative nature” even now: I need a push, definitely, but once I’ve pushed myself into creating something, I keep going.
AE: What turns you on?
YL: A piece of good music, a well-written and enjoyable book, stunning artwork, a beautiful and classy lady, a clever conversation, a captivating movie or TVseries, an act of sheer friendliness, gorgeous architecture, a peaceful rustic scene… ah, so many things
AE: What turns you off?
YL: The opposite of all that… in one word: vulgarity (which includes most graffiti, especially ‘tags’).
AE: If you could use just one word to describe Gestural Writing, what would it be?
YL: Sprezzatura, the Italian word for ‘studied nonchalance‘.
AE: How has your experience teaching classical languages influenced your calligraphic work?
YL: I think the study of classical languages has taught me to develop an eye for detail, it has also shaped my taste for good literature, a sense for the right proportions and in general a suspicious attitude towards things that go too easily.
AE: What do you love most about teaching?
YL: I especially enjoy those moments when you sense the students are following your train of thought and are willing to go along because they recognize your struggle with the same issues. Preparing and giving a workshop also forces you to question all theories you held on to for a long time. Seeing how the students interpret your information can be beneficial for the teacher also for it can open new ways he hadn’t thought of before. In other words, one has to keep his eyes and mind open at all times.
AE: What sound or noise do you love?
YL: The sound of nature when walking through woods.
AE: What sound or noise do you hate?
YL: I absolutely detest the noise of motorcycles, scooters, tuned up cars, etc… I can’t understand why people need to make more of that dreadful noise than necessary in order to prove they exist.
AE: What advice do you have to creatives about what to do when they get “stuck?”
YL: Question everything you do… why that tool ? why those texts ? why that small ? why that colour ? why that interlinear space ? And have the courage to change everything…
AE: What music (genre and/or composer) inspires you most?
YL: No doubt about this one: Elvis Costello. Clever texts, lots of different styles, great performer, boundless energy…
AE: What fine art (genre and/or artist) inspires you most?
YL: Abstract expressionism. And the calligraphy of my teacher Brody Neuenschwander.
AE: What profession other than your own would you like to attempt?
YL: I truly don’t know – I’m perfectly happy being a calligrapher and teacher of Latin.
AE: What profession would you not like to do?
YL: Anything that has to do with bookkeeping and economics.
AE: In many of your pieces, I see a recurrent echo of rectangular shapes, scattered neatly in a horizontal format across the page. Sometimes they are picture boxes, sometimes the shapes hold letterforms, or are left blank. They are beautiful. What are they and where do they come from/what inspired them?
YL: They’re mainly there for design purposes, a repetitive thing that I put there to create unity or to apply some structure to the whole design. I’m aware of my inclination to do that and sometimes I refrain from doing it (or I try), but then… is it so bad to have a recognizable feature ?
AE: I heard once that a painter often produces work that evokes the same quality of light that their environment produces. In comparing your own workspace and environment – could you say they are similar?
YL: Not really. I deliberately use a wide variety of colours and tones – it has even nothing to do with the way I feel at that time – it’s just part of my approach to change my way of working. I can make very dark pictures when I have not a worry in the world.
AE: If Heaven exists, what would you like to hear God say when you arrive at the Pearly Gates?
YL: “I haven’t exactly spoiled you with an abundance of talents, my son, but you did fine with the leftovers I’ve thrown in your lap. I noticed quite a few people enjoyed your workshops and works, so you must have spread some happiness around -which was the whole point of you being a mere calligrapher. That should make you happy yourself, no ? “
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Atlanta Penablers meeting  “Movement, Marks and Meaning.” From the art of abstraction, to the emotive tug of calligraphic lettering, Yves Leterme (as layered with shimmering depth as his pieces,) has much to share about his techniques, inspiration, and inner wisdom. Come for his interview, demonstration, slide show, and audience Q&A. Yves will also be bringing some of his original works of art for view and purchase. Squee!
When: Sat & Sun, Friday October 5th, 2012 6-8PM
What to bring : A drink or snack to share and yo bad Self.
When: Sat & Sun, October 6th & 7th, 2012 
What to bring : After signing up online for Italic Variations workshop through the Binders Art School site, a supply list will be sento to you.

Thursday, September 13, 2012

Wednesday Night Advanced Calligraphy Begins in October

Calligraphy 3 Advanced 10/3 (ARTZ1233) 

Calligraphy Three: Advanced Calligraphy with Anne Elser
6 sessions | Advanced Beginner to Intermediate | Price: $190 | Min.5/Max.8 ARTZ1233 | Wed. Oct. 3 - Nov. 7, 6-8:30pm

Calligraphy 3 is an advanced beginner calligraphy class designed for those who have taken Calligraphy 2 & 3 or who already know the fundamentals of any calligraphic hand and are ready for the challenge of applying the words and other elements to the page. Whether you are addressing envelopes, designing a monogram, laying out a certificate, document, or quote of any size, this class will help you understand the concept of hierarchy on a page, drama, stable compositions, and the balance of elements.

You will also be encouraged to take the plunge into the world of flourishing! Experimentation with color inks, gouache, metallics and paper is also encouraged.

Bring in your free spirits and lets have fun!

~Anne

October Bookbinding Classes


I am starting two new Bookbinding classes in October that may be of interest to you. Both can be tailored to any level of bookbinding experience so that you'll find your way around the assignments in either of these classes with ease. 

There are daytime and evening classes available and the maximum number of students is kept small, to ensure that all get the attention the need to finish a project in a comfortable and FUN setting. 

Come stitch again with me!

~Anne


Bookmaking One: Beginning Bookmaking with Anne Elser 
6 sessions | Beginner to Intermediate | Price: $190 | Min.5/Max.8
ARTZ1231 | Tues. Oct. 2 - Nov. 2, 1:30-4pm 

Learn the fundamentals of making books and boxes in this class with a variety of materials and techniques. The anatomy of a book is fascinating, the covers, spine, folios, signatures, fly sheets, headbands and more are all waiting for your heart and hands. Folding, gluing and stitching goes a long way. Make wonderful gifts, sketchbooks and journals, photo albums, etc. The only skills required are a love of paper, attention to detail, patience and a need to share the FUN!




Bookmaking Two: The Opened Book with Anne Elser 
6 sessions | Beginner to Intermediate | Price: $190| Min.5/Max.8
ARTZ1232 | Tues. Oct. 2 - Nov. 2, 6-8:30pm 

If you've taken one or several bookmaking classes and are ready to create content, this class is ideal. Nothing can be more intimidating than a book of blank white pages. We will begin by creating signatures with different types, colors, ages and textures of papers. By alternating these pages with blanks, you'll have a book that wants to be altered further: touched, written in, cut into, stitched, painted and filled with purposeful doodling, writing and drawing. Working at your own pace, your book can be themed or worked loosely. The approach; "treasure hunt" pasting, binding, working and re-working will be an intuitive one. We will make at one book and a box for it to live in.

Sunday, September 09, 2012

Envelope Book Instructions

Want to read more about our fantastic September 7th, 2012 Penabler Meeting where we made this fast and fun Envelope Book? Click here for more details and meeting shots!




Wednesday, September 05, 2012

This Friday's (9.7.12) Envelope Book Penabler Meeting!



How to Use Your Envelope Book
• Recipe organizer
• Secret keeper
• Inspiring quote reminder
• Coupon book
• Erotic poetry stash
• Calligraphic Envelope Style Sample for your local Stationer!
• Business card organizer
• Color chip or wallpaper sample book


Join us this Friday on September 7th, 2012 from 6-8PM at our next Penabler meeting. We'll be making an Envelope Book! Read below for more details on what to bring to join in on the activity.

One more additional note on the ribbon size: The template I've designed works with a 1.5" wide ribbon. However, you can use a slightly wider or more narrow ribbon if you'd like. You'll just need to make your own holes. Super easy adjustment. The other thing you can use besides a ribbon is a strip of fabric. The sample I'm bringing uses a strip of vintage sari cloth - it's very thin and has the consistency of cheesecloth, but smoother.
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Join us for our next Atlanta Penablers meeting!
Friday, September 7th, 2012 from 6-8pm at Binders Art School in Buckhead.
“Stitch an Envelope Book”



Demonstration and guided activity by penkitten Anne Elser. Stitch your family of envelope samples together just like a book! For the bookbinder looking to add a new feature to their hand bound books or calligrapher looking for a creative way to package your envelope styles, this guided activity is useful and fun as a self-promotional tool or a gift for yourself or a friend. We'll be using a combination of Coptic and Tape bookbinding techniques and you'll have a handout waiting for you when you arrive.



Keep in mind that the envelopes you use for the activity can be blank if you like. But it might be more exciting for you if you've got imagery/calligraphy on both the front and back of your envelopes. We'll be using the flaps themselves as signatures to bind the book. The ribbon really does need to be 1.5 inches wide and your envelopes really do need to be 6.5 x 4.75 because we'll all be using the same template to stitch our books. Binders DOES carry ribbon and envelopes in lots of fantastic colors, if you don't have time to pick them up before you arrive. I will also be bringing a few chunks of beeswax so you can wax your thread. But if you don't have any, no sweat. Just feel free to bring it if you've got it!



You'll walk out the door with a completed project that has many variations and practical uses!

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To read more about how and why I came up with the idea for this project, go here to read the original story: 

What to Bring:
• A snack or drink to share
• Needle
• Beeswax (if you've got it already)
• Scissors
• Thumbtack
• Pearl Cotton Thread size 5 or 8
• Pencil
• 1.5” wide ribbon
• 8 or more A-6 Envelopes (6.5” x 4.75”)
• Your recent work (optional)
• Your Bad Self