Hi Dear Readers,
Thank you kindly for your comments on my last post. It was really heartwarming to read and I’m honoured that my writing reached you at all! I want to come here to this tiny miniscule space and be positive – however, things lately in the world at large feel so incredibly dark it’s hard to not feel an immense weight, as I’m sure so many of you are also feeling.
But in the face of collective grief and turmoil, I feel this need to create and reclaim. The projects are big, but I’m starting as small as possible. What better way to calm a mind then intense focus on something so outside of the world?
I studied book binding and book production in university. I had daydreams (among an endless stream) to work in a small book bindery along the coast of Newfoundland. However, bookbinding has a large starting cost as well as the need for a teacher in order to truly grasp the craft. Needless to say, my bookbindery dream never unraveled in this realm LOL! Most of the crafts that I explore are both affordable (however, that can probably now be contested) and easily achievable. And it turns out, that there are many a books you can hand-bind with little starting cost and simply watching some tutorials online.
After work, I listened to music, cutting up cardboard and gluing papers to form the front and back cover. Marble paper, old torn up art books on medieval and 18th century art. After the holes are formed in both the cardboard and signatures (the paper bunches used for your book), you simply sew it all together using a really simple method called the chain stitch (it literally follows the same logic as knitting). My brain turns off while concentrating on completing this properly – a really good remedy to what ails you.
The needles I used were embroidery needles. Every single one of them broke, so I’m doubtful these are the proper needles and will have to get some new ones. The thread is Linen bookbinding thread, purchased at NSCAD’s store, and the glue used is Talas Jade 403 (bookbinding glue). The paper is cheap artist paper (watercolour for the dyeing journal and pen and ink paper for the latter). I used my own artwork and old paper that was sitting collecting dust.
And so! The first step completed in new creative endeavours –
- A botanical journal – one with recipes and samples for creating colour with plants and fungi.
- A pen and ink journal for designing tattoo work.
The experiment definitely proved that simple coptic sketchbooks are very attainable to create regardless of funds or experience – which is always an exciting win! Inching a little bit closer to my medieval monastery dream.
Alas friends, this is what I wanted to share with you this Foggy Sunday. We can create in chaos and we will.
Blessings to you ❤
Ways of Wood Folk 
Love this, Julia! I have taken some booking binding and paper making classes. Through the years. Love doing it as a diversion from my other creative expressive works.
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Nice!! Love this – I would so LOVE to make paper – I think there could be some pretty economical ways to create it using old screens etc. So cool that you enjoy it as well! Hope you’re well in Minnesota!
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They turned out amazing! 😍 This was a very calming post to read so thank you! I hate it when needles break during a project! You’ve inspired me to do a craft as it’s been a while. Much love from Ireland ✨️💗
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Thank you kindly Elsie! I’m so happy this post made you feel this way 🙂 Happy crafting to you in beautiful Ireland!
Hopefully with all intact needles on your side!
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beautifully done, and love the serene photos.
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Hello Julia, So happy that you are back writing here in this space. It is always such a joy to look at the beautiful photos of your creative projects and to read about what you have been up to. Be well.
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Thank you so much Agnes ❤ ❤ this means a lot and I really appreciate your words! Hope you'll join me here in the future!
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Hi Julia!
I am so happy so see you are writing again. Your posts always felt like a pause from everyday life. I am so intrigued by your bookbinding! That is something I would have loved to learn. I keep buying way too many notebooks because I never find the perfect one. LOL!
Hope you’ll keep writing now and then. ❤
Camilla
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Hey Camilla!
Hope you’re well!! It has been a crazy few years!
Maybe binding your own notebook is just what you need! I know exactly the impulse you’re talking about collecting notebooks and journals!
My job right now is such that I absolutely will have to keep writing and creating on weekends to keep me sane! I have no intention of going back on instagram though so you likely won’t see me back there except maybe to finally make my account private!
So happy to “see” you here 🙂 <3!!!
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I’m good, thanks! I really hope you are well too. ❤ Life has changed a lot for me too over the past two years. It seems like we are in the same boat concerning work. It can be very time and energy consuming at times. Luckily weekends exist! I've really dived intro drawing lately, I have a new partner, and he is very much in to it, so we spend weekends in creative chaos. 🙂
I rarely use Instagram myself. It feels good to have space and not need to use that platform I think. I'll probably delete my account during this year, as I hardly use it.. I'm hoping to get into blogging, though. I use to like it a lot!
Looking forward to read more about your creative adventures (or other adventures). 🙂
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I just recently started studying bookbinding and like most of the new hobbies I try, it takes me down a rabbit hole whenever I am in the zone.
I hope that you never give up on your dream and be able to work for a bindery or put up your own! I’d love to see more of your work too! ✨
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