Resources
I took my first class on making books with Anna Wolf at UC Berkeley Extension many years ago. This is not the photographer Anna Wolf who also makes fabulous little books. I took this class because I was curious about books and I wanted to make my own portfolios for when I did my graphic design interviews.
Since then I’ve taken classes with Victoria Heifner, Carolee Gilligan Wheeler and Susan Angebranndt to name a few at San Francisco Center for the Book. It’s a fabulous place and I can’t recommend it highly enough. Go there!
Bookbinding Tools I Use
I love my Japanese Screw Punch. I actually have lots of other punches but this is the only one I would recommend. It’s just heavenly to use. I purchased mine from Volcano Book Arts but it’s also available many other places like Talas which is an incredible resource for Professional Archival, Bookbinding, Conservation and Restoration Supplies.
I have the Home Pro LR eyelet setter. I do like it especially because it “curls” eyelet backs, instead of splitting them and for it’s versatility in punching paper, chipboard, acrylic and metal. I have other eyelet setters as well but this one I enjoy using.
I have bought waxed linen thread from The Caning Shop in Berkeley, CA. They also have awls and bone folders here. I’ve also bought smaller rounds of thread from Paper Source. Waxed linen thread is not my favorite, especially on coptic bindings. It can look extra waxy, especially when one is using heavier ply thread. Here is a link to more thread resources.
Paper Distributors
Kelly Paper I’ve used and like Mohawk Superfine Writing 28lb but it’s since been discontinued.
Neenah Paper Want to try out their paper? Order some samples first.
JC Paper Via Felt is the paper I’ve currently purchased and am excited about.
French Paper I can’t wait to try their paper. Lots of colors and textures! (Grain direction is second number: the grain direction of a sheet of 25″ x 19″ paper would go along the 19″ length) In California, if you want samples, you can contact Spicers Paper and request via their sample department: 510-476-7700.
Cutting Paper
If you buy large sheets of paper, parent sheets, you’ll need to get them cut down. San Francisco Center for the Book has a guillotine paper cutter as well as a board sheer. Art stores will also tend to know and recommend places where you can get paper cut down. Make friends with a printer. Green Graphics on Broadway, close to Blick Art Materials in Oakland has a fancy digital cutter.
My Book Library on How To Make Books
Volume I Non-Adhesive Binding Books without Paste or Glue by Keith A. Smith. I’ve found buying directly from Keith to be personally very rewarding. I also have and recommend Keith A. Smith’s Volume II Non-Adhesive Binding: 1- 2- & 3-Section Sewings and Volume III Non-Adhesive Binding: Exposed Spine Sewings. These books are my in my library and I refer to them over and over.
Cover to Cover by Shereen LaPlantz
How to Make Books by Esther K. Smith Buy directly from Esther K. Smith and you might get a phone call asking how you’d like it signed. I enjoyed doing this, something Amazon just can’t do.
Collage Unleased by Traci Bautista. I saw a fabulous exhibit of Traci Bautista’s work at the Olive Hyde Gallery and was inspired to buy this book.
Making Journals by Hand by Jason Thompson. Love this book. Teesha Moore is just one fabulous artist featured in this book. Click here to see how she journals and how to make your own journal.
Mixed-Media Nature Journals by L.K. Ludwig. Beautiful artwork! I found out about L.K. Ludwig by perusing through the website of Carol Parks who I came across by buying The Creative Entrepreneur by Lisa Sonora Beam.
My favorite places to find paper related things
In the mail…I’ve been saving envelopes for the printed insides to do something with. Estate sales, garage sales, etc. When you’re focused on particular things they show up in your life. Tell your friends what you collect and they’ll give it to you!
Daiso The Japanese $1.50 store. I’ve only been to the one in Union City, CA but they have many different locations. Almost everything is $1.50. I’ve found the most fabulous office supplies here. Buy it while you can though, I don’t always find the same thing twice but then there are always new things… watch out… multiple things at $1.50 add up quick!
Oakland Museum’s White Elephant Sale I love this place. I loaded up on office supplies this year. I’ll definitely be back next year!
Alameda Antique Fair or Alameda Flea Market This place has been hit or miss for me for office/art supplies but always a fun place to go. I found a great map there for $5 I haven’t used yet and then a dictionary for $1. It always seems like the cheapest items are easier to create into something new.
SF Recycling A fabulous place to go period. I went to an Artist in Residence Exhibit Opening here and also found that they had lots of recycled objects that they were giving away as well. Don’t know if that always happens but it was definitely a bonus to the show. I highly recommend going to an AiR show or even taking a tour.
San Francisco’s Scroungers Center for Reusable Art Parts (SCRAP) I’ve found wallpaper books here and lots of paper and cards. I could get lost in here.
Oakland’s East Bay Depot for Creative Re-Use It’s awesome. Check it out. New things, all the time.
Freecycle I haven’t used this resource yet but I’ve heard great things about it.
Impress Rubber Stamps I was visiting my sister in Washington and happened upon this place. I first discovered eyelets there and what you could do with them many years ago. While there are more local places to find these things now, I still go and visit them every once and a while.
Art Related
Flax The most beautiful art store I’ve ever been in and paper galore! I don’t need an excuse to go here.
Some artists I admire who make books or make art with books: Erin Zam, Lisa Kokin and Red Frog Metal Design.
Booklyn Artists Alliance Booklyn’s mission is to promote artist books as an art form and an educational resource, to provide the general public and educational institutions with services and programming involving contemporary artist books, and to assist artists in exhibiting, distributing and publishing artist books.
Bay Area Book Artists BABA is a group of independent artists bound together by a passion for the book arts. The Book Arts Jam is BABA’s annual celebration of book art.
