Hebden Bridge adventures

Can't believe the weather we've had this week.  It's hard to believe that last weekend we were happily trotting around the delightful Hebden Bridge, and although admittedly quite cold, it was relatively dry.  It was also quite sad to witness the impact that the floods of earlier this year have had on so many businesses in the Hebden Bridge area.

Our first stop was the Blitz war-time tea room, a fantastic cafe above a shop, kitted out in 1940s war time memorabilia, a big band soundtrack and an appropriately attired waitress.  There were some wonderful examples of war time posters on the walls, newspapers dated from the era on all the tables, and a hat stand in the corner, holding a German helmet, fur stole and gas mask.  I was a bit nervous about the menu, with British war time food not exactly my idea of a treat, but our 'Blitz rarebit' (with an added layer of Spam) tasted wonderful.

Other delights on the menu included Homity pie, corned beef hash and macaroni cheese. 

Next stop was the Heart Gallery, showcasing some wonderful examples of British contemporary craft and jewellery.  Special mention must go to Heather Wilson, who describes herself on her business card as "Maker of mad and beautiful things".   She creates lovely personalised name pictures, which bring together a range of personal details regarding the recipient, such as hobbies, family, pets and occupations.  They make beautiful and unique gifts.  I also loved her range of hats: highly original, and with more than a touch of humour, they were also extraordinarily beautiful.

Off to Chester today - will report back soon.

Have a great week everyone!

 

Heather Wilson's 'Lying Cow' hat
 

Experiments in Copper Etching

I'm always interested in discovering new crafts, especially when I can incorporate them into my books in some way.  Recently I've been experimenting with copper etching, with the help of some wonderful tutorials on the Internet.  Basically, a design is applied to the surface of a copper blank, and this acts as a resist (meaning that areas left untouched will be etched, leaving your design as a raised surface).

Before

After

A number of suggestions were put forward as to the best resist to use, ranging from a Sharpie permanent marker, to acrylic paint to nail varnish.  I experimented with the Sharpie and nail varnish, and got satisfactory results with both.

After covering the back of the copper blank with resist, the etching process begins by suspending the piece in a tub of ferric chloride.  I purchased my ferric chlorid from Maplin, but I would imagine this would be available at art shops.  Opinion varies as to how long to leave the copper in the solution, but keep checking, and after 30 minutes or so, the solution should have worked its magic.

This is my first attempt, and admittedly, it looks a little 'rough', but I quite like that.  I added it to my most recent book creation, and I love the effect of the etched copper against the luxurious velvet effect covering.

Burgundy velvet postbinding journal by GlassRoofBooks

As always, searching around on Etsy, I found some amazing examples of 'proper' copper etching, which brought home to me how much of a beginner I am when it comes to etching, and also how many talented people there are out there.


I love these dragonfly earrings by KismetStudiosOnEtsy
Such a simple design, by highly effective

MarieOfSweden has some truly beautiful items in her shop.  I was spoilt for choice, but this etching is typical of her style.  Simply stunning.

These Shooting stars copper etched earrings are another of my favourites, by CabariBeads.  I love the patina effect, which adds depth to the imagery.








So there we have it.  Any tips by those in the know regarding copper etching, I'd love to hear from you.  And anyone who fancies having a go, I found the Internet tutorials below very helpful.

Happy etching!

Copperheart - Tutorial: How to etch copper

Hodgepodgerie: Etching Copper

Autumn Equinox: Copper Etching Tutorial

C is for Cancer Research

My legs have just about returned to normal following my epic half marathon walk on Saturday 8th September, in aid of Cancer Research UK.  Taking part in the 'Shine' walk through the night in Manchester city centre was an amazing experience, despite the aches and blisters, not to mention the two hour wait before we even started walking.  But it felt good to be contributing in some small way to a very worthwhile cause. 

Before the walk - all smiles

The number of people taking part who had obviously been personally affected by cancer in some way was staggering.  Up until now, cancer had not directly impacted upon my life - I knew some people who had survived cancer, some who had died, but the 'C' word still felt far enough away for me to feel somewhat detached from it.  Like witnessing distressing news reports, you watch and feel for those affected, but you can still sleep soundly at night, safe in the knowledge that it won't directly affect you.  How ironic then, that I should learn the news, whilst still basking in the glory of completing my half marathon, that my own mother was suffering from cancer.  It's been a shock, but we're taking one day at a time, and hoping for a positive outcome.  So next time someone tells you they're raising money for Cancer Research, please donate - you never know, one day cancer could personally affect you.

'The Raven' post-binding journal

My latest project is this A5 size landscape book which is crafted in the post-binding style.

The main advantage of this style is that pages are refillable, and the journal has more longevity, and can be used again once the pages have been replaced.  I also like to think that the replaceable nature of the pages helps overcome the reluctance one often has to begin writing or sketching in a beautiful journal for fear of 'spoiling' it.

Chunky Raven Leather Journal with Black Paper by silverwillowstar

Nevermore Raven Journal Notebook 

by KandysKeepsakes

This particular journal was influenced firstly by Edgar Allan Poe, whose work I have dipped in and out of regularly in the past, particularly 'The Raven', which seems to have inspired a number of wonderful book designs, (see above) and a number of Treasuries on Etsy.  The 'bird on a branch' image was placed under a glass cabochon, and anchored firmly in the bottom right hand corner of the slightly padded front cover.

As so often happens when creating new designs, the ideas I had in my head (the same ones which kept me awake at night) didn't translate into reality quite as I had wished.  The original intention was to create a detachable brooch, influenced by the wonderfully inspiring 'Gothic Jewellery' by Harriet Smith, with pieces of black linen and lace forming a 'dead corsage' within which I was going to place the cabochon.  When I actually got around to doing it, I wasn't happy with the result.  It worked wonderfully as a brooch in its own right, but on the book, it just didn't work.  So I placed the cabochon on its own on the cover, and now I actually quite like the simplicity of the look.


Inside the book, I've lined the boards with some faded blue and grey vintage-style patterned paper, and added a handy pocket in matching paper for the inside back page.

I'm planning to make more journals in this post-binding style, so I'll keep you posted for any updates.

Have a great week!

Walking for charity

Back from a few days break in lovely Wales, I'm taking this opportunity to publicise this event - Shine Manchester 2011 - which my hubby and I are taking part in very soon.  The event involves us walking thirteen miles around Manchester in the middle of the night, in aid of Cancer Research UK.

My 'training' which started several weeks ago in preparation for the big event, has involved lots of long walks with my other half and my daughter.  Some have been leisurely, some a bit more challenging, but somewhat surprisingly, for someone who doesn't like exercise much, all have been incredibly enjoyable, giving me a new perspective on the beauty of this country's landscape.  Recent walks have taken in Watergrove and Dovestones Reservoirs in Rochdale and Oldham, Stoodley Pike in Hebden Bridge, and Robin Hood's Bed at Blackstone Edge in Littleborough, while in Anglesey, our walk through the Newborough Forest was, at times, almost spiritual in its peace and tranquility.

It's been fascinating to delve into the history of some of these places.  Particularly fascinating was the story of Watergrove, previously a village developed in the mid 19th century, but developed into a reservoir during the 1930s.  During periods of drought, the foundations and cobbled roads can still be seen.

Please support the Shine event in any way you can.  In the meantime, have a great week!

Watergrove Village

Watergrove Reservoir today

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Vintage loveliness

Apologies for lack of recent blogging activity.  Health and family matters, work commitments, and the demands of a 7 year old daughter during the school holidays have all overtaken me, and knocked me temporarily off-balance.  (By the way, avoid the local swimming baths during the school hols - unless your idea of entertainment is being repeatedly splashed by overweight dive-bombing teenagers, and exhibitionist canoodling couples...but that's another story...)  But I'm gradually getting back on track, and attempting to devote more time to my craft. 

My most recent project was inspired by a lifelong love of 1950s fashion.  I've made up some single signature (pamphlet-style) case-bound notebooks, and covered them in bookcloth, skivertex, or plain coloured fabric, backed with paper.  The frocks on the front were adapted from old 1950s dressmaking patterns, onto which I've added my own embellishments - a touch of fabric here, a gemstone or ribbon there.  Some of them were coated with crystal resin - purely because I had some left over from another project and was curious to find out how they would turn out.  I'm hoping to take part in the Altrincham Vintage and Craft Fair on Sunday - would be great to see you there.
Have a great week!

What does your notebook say about you?

I've found it fascinating to read all the comments written in response to a recent article in 'The Guardian' newspaper 'The joy of Moleskine notebooks'.  Despite never having experienced the aforementioned joy first hand, it's nevertheless been interesting to get people's views on the subject, and on the subject of putting pen to paper in its most literal sense.  Firstly, it's great that in this digital age, so many people are still using paper, and more importantly, are passionate about it.  What came across overwhelmingly in the comments were the strict requirements, expected by so many, of the ideal notebook: nice to hold, the correct weight of paper, the right level of 'roughness' in the paper, etc. etc.  But aside from the practicality of these requirements, it was interesting to note the importance people attach to these notebooks as objects of desire, desperate to cultivate the right image.  The image that sticks in my mind was of the office meeting where every identically dressed person pulled out an identical Moleskine notebook.  I found this aspect a little depressing, although not entirely unexpected.  Although constructed in the same way, all the notebooks I make are completely individual, and it would be nice to think that people choose a notebook which reflected their individual personality, especially when what is often written in a notebook or journal tends to be incredibly personal and individual.  If not the content, then certainly the writing is as individual as we are.  I suppose that's why the idea of so many people slavishly using these - dare I say it, rather dull - mass produced notebooks is a little depressing to me.  My motivations as a bookbinder is the love of books as tactile objects, and the desire to produce well-crafted, handmade products.  And finally, the cover designs, each one completely individual.

I have used all manner of notebooks - from my own individually designed ones to cheap spiral bound recycled paper ones.  It tends to depend what I'm using them for at the time.  I have several from Paperblanks, chosen for their beautiful covers, but I have yet to sample the delights of the Moleskine.  Possibly because they seem to me just a little...well...dull?  (Sorry Moleskine lovers!).  I like quality paper as much as the next person, but I suppose I also like the idea of the notebook as more than just a functional workhorse.

Which brings me to another of the points raised in the original discussion: the fear of putting pen to paper in such a beautiful object.  Many people seemed to share this fear, as though 'nice' notebooks should be saved for special occasions.  I can relate to this, but I still believe that notebooks are there to be used, and it's a shame to leave them sitting in a drawer when they could be written in, handled and adored.

Ultimately, notebooks exist to be written in, and our choices as to what we use to write in are as individual as we are.  It's nice when the notebook we use matches a set of our chosen criteria, whether we want the notebook to help us look fashionable, intelligent or nerdy, or is just something that is pleasant to write in.  But it's always an added bonus when what we write in looks good too, don't you think?

Further info:
Moleskine  http://www.moleskine.com/
Notebook Stories: a Blog about Notebooks, Journals, Moleskines, Blank Books, Sketchbooks, Diaries  and More  http://www.notebookstories.com/
Paperblanks:  http://www.paperblanks.com/uk/en/