The delights of paste paper

My most recent book is a full binding in dark olive-coloured bookcloth, with a small panel insert, which contains an abstract piece of 'artwork' (and I use the term loosely) - the results of my experiments with paste paper.

As I'm sure those of you familiar with bookbinding will be aware, paste papers are created by mixing bookbinding paste, consisting of flour and water, with paint.  The resulting mix can then be manipulated on paper in any number of ways, using brushes, combs, fingers or stamps to create distinctive abstract patterns with an almost three dimensional quality to them.

Predominantly used on endpapers and on book covers, paste papers are one of the earliest methods used to decorate paper.  In the course of my research on producing paste papers, I came across some truly beautiful examples on the web, which demonstrate just how much of an art form it can be in the right hands.  One of my favourite discoveries was the work of Pattie Palmer Baker, whose calligraphy and collage work uses paste papers to stunning effect, creating a luminous, almost stained glass effect.  Other great examples of paste paper can be found on Flickr - I particularly like the work of Veronica Phillips and Zebra Crossing Picture Factory.

With such wonderful examples, I was truly inspired to create my own "masterpiece", and there are a number of excellent online tutorials to choose from.  I'd recommend Lili's Bookbinding Blog and Bookbinding Etsy Street Team ones, but there are plenty out there, and I haven't even begun to investigate what's on YouTube relating to the subject.

My own version was a yellow and blue paint combination, which I transformed into an abstract pattern by means of a paintbrush, fingers and a small stick.  My final experimental touch was to add a touch of gold embossing powder, which I then blasted with the heating gun, which gave the finished piece just the right amount of 'bling'.  Shying away from using my experiment to cover the whole of the book cover, I cut a section out of the finished design, and set it into a recessed panel on the right hand side of the front cover.

Baby it's cold outside!

I'm so cold today that I've had to abandon book production in my makeshift studio - the conservatory.  Although I have a heater out there and am wearing an extra cardigan (well, two actually), I just can't get warm and I've had to resort to relocating to the warmest room in the house with my laptop, and snuggling up to the radiator.  Luckily I managed to get a batch of notebooks finished, photographed, described and uploaded into my Etsy shop earlier in the week, and I'm hoping that the freezing temperatures won't prevent further book production in the next few days.  Meanwhile, I'll spend the day doing research, tarting up my current Etsy listings and dreaming up some new designs...

Bookbinding woes

I love the process of bookbinding – I find enjoyment in every one of the many individual processes which contribute to making a book.  But there are times when I find it the most frustrating of crafts, in particular when things don’t go according to plan, or as happened recently, when I reached the ‘unveiling’ stage of the bookbinding process (ie. Taking the finished product out of the nipping press), only to find a blemish on the front of the book which refused to budge. 

My most recent creation was a A6 sized blank notebook, the creation of which had involved, as always, tearing the pages by hand, trimming the book block, then hand-sewing the notebook, carefully rounding the spine, adding headbands, hand-embroidering the cover of the book with a heart, and sequins (which I admittedly forgot about when ironing and attaching a tissue paper backing, which gave them a shall we say a “distinctive” appearance), carefully casing in the book, placing in the book press, leaving overnight, and then...discovering the mysterious blemish which had just rendered the whole process a waste of time!

My mind is furiously thinking of ways to disguise the offending blemish, without making it worse.  I’ve got some ideas – watch this space.

It’s just one of those things, but it niggles.  It’s not the first time it’s happened, and I’m sure it won’t be the last!

The joys of self-employment

Happy New Year!  A bit belated, but I hope everyone had a good Christmas.  As always, it went too quickly, but I was somehow glad to get back to the usual work routine.


For me, the one thing that looms larger than anything else in January is the TAX RETURN.  Like a visit to the dentist, I do everything possible to postpone it until the last minute.  Although I'm relatively good with money (in other words, I'm tight), I have a total phobia of numbers and financial figures.  But the tax return is a necessity, and it's one of the not-so-pleasant consequences of being self-employed.  Since being made redundant from my 'proper' job some 17 months ago, I've had to adapt to the life of a self-employed freelancer, and mostly it's good.  While filling in the dreaded tax return, I started to wonder if there was anything about my old employed life that I missed, and the answer was a resounding "not much".  Apart from the guarantee of a regular salary, holiday and sick pay, the occasional company of co-workers, there's not much else that I miss.  Certainly not the joys of public transport, of having to face the world when I feel like death, and being restricted by the 9 to 5 routine.  In contrast, self-employment allows me the freedom to have a long lunch with friends and catch up with work in the evening, or to spend an afternoon working in the local library, or to sit in the car working while my husband does the food shopping (my least favourite domestic chore after changing the beds and ironing!).

But working from home alone is not for everyone.  I don't actually mind my own company, but I can imagine the long periods of silence could be too much for some people.  It would be easy to go stir crazy.  I have no choice but to mingle with people on a daily basis - taking my daughter to and from school means I'm forced to interact, but it also means I get 40 minutes exercise of brisk walking every day.  In addition I meet friends for an exercise class, for lunch and attend a craft class once a week - just to keep my sanity, and exercise my social skills.

When things aren't going well, I look back to the days just before I was made redundant - in a job I no longer cared about, feeling out of my depth and questioning every aspect of my working existence.  Today, although I still have occasional bad days, and I'm significantly poorer financially, I feel more in my comfort zone.  Every penny I get, I am really aware that I've earned it, so I've developed an even greater awareness and appreciation of the value of money.

So, do I feel envious when I check out the progress of former colleagues on Facebook - in management positions and earning bucket loads more than me?  The short answer is "no" (for now anyway...).  Happy Homeworking!!

Christmas greetings

If anyone is struggling to get into the Christmas spirit, I can thoroughly recommend going to see a children's nativity play.  But then again, this probably only applies to parents.  Yesterday I had the privilege of watching my 7 year old daughter play the part of an angel in her school nativity play, and I felt Christmassy for the first time.  The wonderful music and the joy on the children's faces gave me what I can only describe as a warm fuzzy feeling.

Taking inspiration from this moving experience, my recent additions to my Etsy shop try to capture the spirit of the season.  My festive miniature books can be used to write notes in, Christmas lists perhaps?, but they can also be hung from the Christmas tree to make an unusual ornament. 

These items and more can be found in my Etsy shop Glass Roof Books - do take a look.

Book Press

Christmas came early for me last week when I took ownership of my nipping press, thanks to my beloved husband, who bid for it on eBay.  A combined Christmas and birthday present from my other half, these things don't come cheap, even second hand.  We travelled to Congleton (nice place), and collected the press, which my hubby struggled to place in the boot of the car, not realising how heavy these things are.  Struggling to catch his breath, we drove back to Manchester, the car noticeably heavier.  Then came the fun part of trying to get the damn thing into the house.  We struggled, but together, somehow, we got the nipping press into the living room, amidst much huffing and puffing, and giggling.  And there it remains, tucked away in a corner of the living room (God forbid if anyone should stub their toe on it!!).  Unfortunately, it's doubtful that it will move from its resting place, as hubby is afraid it will go straight through the floor if moved to the conservatory, where I do most of my bookbinding.  But I think you'll agree, it's a real beauty.

Workingmums.co.uk live event in Manchester

I was lucky enough to attend the workingmums.co.uk live event yesterday at the Lowry Hotel in Manchester.  Organised to help mums find information on flexible working and starting a business, the event featured some excellent seminars. 

'Working for yourself - practical steps and options' featured three guest speakers: Iain McIlwee, from PCG, who explained some of the benefits of working as a freelancer; Paul Southworth from The Direct Selling Association, who aimed to explode the myth that direct selling was little more than a means of earning pin money; and Rachel Ray, founder of Bright & Beautiful, who provided an excellent introduction into the world of franchising.

The afternoon's sessions kicked off with 'Setting up your own business - Social Marketing & PR'.  Possibly my favourite seminar of the day, Naomi Timperley, who launched Baby Loves Disco in the UK, and Social Media Boom, gave a fascinating introduction into the world of social networking, helping to unravel some of the mysteries of Twitter and Facebook.

Finally, speakers Bernie Cox of the Women's Organisation and Neil Lewis of MediaMoDo provided some practical information on the subject of Business Planning.   

All in all, an interesting and informative event, which I'd recommend to any mums thinking of setting up their own business.