Intermediate Bookbinding Online (Book 2): Spring '19 Apr/May TuePM 6-Week Online Course w/ Anne-Davnes Elser

7 Sessions | All Levels | $200 | Min 10 Max 24 | Tues evenings from 6PM-8:30PM EST | April 9 - May 21

Class Schedule: We will meet Tuesday evenings from 6PM-8:30PM EST. Our first meeting is a brief intro and dry-run test call from 6-7pm EDT. Course instruction officially begins the following Tuesday and goes from 6pm-8:30pm EST.

This is a LIVE class, which is recorded for your enjoyment and review, then uploaded to a class folder on my Dropbox site each of our 7 weeks of class time together. If you ever have to miss a class, you can always check back later to watch what you missed and practice at your own pace. I really enjoy the live format, and meeting so many people all over the world each week in my home. Live classes allow the student to interact with me and each other for specific feedback.

Upon registration, I will email a permanent weblink to you. This will be our virtual classroom for every time we meet. When the link and intro email is sent to you, click the link, which will open a web page in a Google Chrome web browser on your computer. And that's it! Google may ask you to download their software and if they do, just follow their prompts.

Please read technical notes way down at the bottom for details about participating in an online class via Google Hangout.

Here's the class schedule:

Week 0 • Tuesday, Apr 09, 2019 ---> Google Hangout Dry Run Test Call (about an hour 6-7PM EST

Week 1 • Tuesday, Apr 16, 2019 6-8:30pm EST

Week 2 • Tuesday, Apr 23, 2019 6-8:30pm EST

Week 3 • Tuesday, Apr 30, 2019 6-8:30pm EST

Week 4 • Tuesday, May 07, 2019 6-8:30pm EST

Week 5 • Tuesday, May 14 2019 6-8:30pm EST

Week 6 • Tuesday, May 21, 2019 6-8:30pm EST

Shortly after registering you will receive a welcome email containing:

• PDF link to exemplar packet.

• Link to our Online Classroom.

• Link to Online folders where class recordings are kept.

After each live class, I’ll upload either a full-length recording of my demonstrations during the class OR a 20-minute review of the pages we worked on (and snapshots of those pages) for you to later download at your convenience. This makes it easier for students to keep up with the class if you cannot participate live.

Note: these videos will take a day or two to appear in the class notes folder, as they are very large and take a long time for them to fully upload onto my Dropbox account. Please allow for at least a day and a half after a class date before you go searching for any content of that class.

Class Description:

Beginning Bookbinding (Book1) is a prerequisite for this course, due to the complex nature of three of the books we’ll be binding together in Book2. You’ve all earned your stripes and stickers and have relative comfort with the Coptic and Tape books, so let’s move on to the next level! Building upon the skills you’ve acquired, we’ll not only create three new books, we’ll create custom structures to house your books, all with formulas for creating a case that fits any book of any size. To end our intermediate journey, we’ll learn how to bind different sizes of envelopes and flat sheets together in a portfolio, using the coptic stitch. Let’s get started!

Projects included:

Week 1 • Flat Back Library Case Bound Book

Week 2 • Telescoping Box

Week 3 • Secret Belgian Bound Book

Week 4 • Slip Case

Week 5 • Envelope Book

Week 6 • Custom Coptic Portfolio

More information:

• $5 Fee due to the instructor on the first day of class or workshop (for all local classes/workshops).

• Anne will be bringing her dog to this class. If you have an allergy or phobia that she needs to be aware of, please email Anne directly. Penkitten@anneelser.com

NEW SUPPLIES:

• Envelopes for envelope book A-6 , around 15. If you’re making a tape-bound envelope book and want to use ribbon, around 1.5 inches wide works. If this is a coptic binding, you don’t need ribbon.

• Pieces for the Coptic Bound Portfolio:

I collect envelopes and work samples to bind into a portfolio. Envelopes of varying sizes can be stitched together as well as single sheets. For single sheets, you’ll want to add pieces of paper (same great paper you’ve been using that decorative and functional) that have a fold, so that that fold can be pierced and turned into a hinge. It’s best to use an adhesive to add to these single sheets that has very little, moisture. Double-sided tape is very good, as are glue sticks. Best glue stick is: UHU Permanent Glue Stic.

Supply List:

Binders Art Supply (bindersart.com) is the best Atlanta local spot to purchase supplies for this class and they will give you a student discount! Anything that you can’t find there, can be purchased at John Neal Books (johnnealbooks.com) or Paper and Ink Arts (paperinkarts.com). Amazon.com, Paper Source, and any Google search is very handy as well. You'll see me link a variety of these links in the products below.

• Non-Adhesive Binding, Vol. 1: Books without Paste or Glue (Paperback) by Keith A. Smith (Author)

This is an excellent book I highly recommend following for detailed descriptions and graphics that illustrate the stitch turns and their complexities. We'll use this book in conjunction with my own illustrated handouts.

• Bookbinding Adhesives (please purchase all 3)

1: Gel Medium, 8 oz. We'll use this on day one of class because it requires no preparation. It's very handy stuff, but dries real quick, so it's tough on your brushes and doesn't allow you to make changes as you're working with it.

2: Lineco Neutra pH 8 oz. Adhesive (glue) OR SOBO Glue. This can be used by itself as a bottle glue for small dots of adhesive. I also mix this with the next product below. I will demonstrate how to prepare your own slow-drying adhesive so that you can use yours the second day of class.

3: 1.5 oz. container of Lineco® Pure Methyl Cellulose

• Straight and curved bookbinding needles

• 2 Ziploc 16 oz. plastic containers with threaded lids (to prepare and store your glue mixture and methyl cellulose.)

• Bone or horn folder (real bone or horn, not plastic, please.)

• Paper for pages of your books. When I make a journal, I usually use 40 8.5 x 11 sheets of text weight paper, or something that takes ink well, but folds easily. Many of the papers we've used in flourishing and FLORA work well. Below are my faves for binding a book. You don't have to get all of these papers and if you'd rather use your own favorite papers, that is OK.

1. Strathmore Calligraphy Pad. I LOVE this ivory laid sheet that comes in a nifty pad. She’s super for folding envelopes and can handle more watercolor than the transparent pad above. Not great for final work (will wrinkle some) but if you already have these sheets, you may use these.

2. Classic Crest Antique Gray or Natural white, Smooth Writing Paper, 24W. Neenah Paper (neenahpaper.com) sells this by the 500-sheet ream at $33.95 (item #01361). It’s what I use in my sketchbooks each morning. This paper does well with fountain pen ink, and can also stand a bit of water color.

3. Southworth Resumé Paper, 24lb in white or ivory.

• Decorative Cover Papers (This is decorative handmade paper that comes in many different patterns, textures and weights. Common names are: Washi Paper, Japanese Decorative Papers, Kozo Paper, Yuzen Paper, Lokta Paper. Pick at least 3-5 sheets you like that are not tissue paper thin or too stiff to be bent without cracking, and that can withstand adhesion with wet glue. We will cover our boards with this paper and within the pages of your book for collage and binding. ) Binders Art Supply carries a beautiful variety of colors and patters, as does Paper Source. Below are a couple more links to some papers that would be appropriate.

*http://www.papersource.com/item/Katazome-Pool-Vines-Red-Flowers-Fine-Paper/13689350.html

*http://www.papersource.com/item/Pink-Red-White-Flower-Fine-Paper/44384350.html

• (optional) Paper from recycled vintage books, illustrations, maps or ephemera to collage with your other decorative papers.

• “Binder's Board”: Pick one below.

Lineco makes a set of 4 sheets you can buy, which is handy, but I find them very hard to cut.

Amazon.com has a great pack of 4 sheets that look easier to cut.

My favorite book board is by PaperSource. It's easy to cut.

• Lineco Beeswax

• Wax Paper (NOT Deli paper)

• Mechanical Pencil (to draw exact measurement lines. DON'T use a regular sharpened pencil for drawing your guides, as the thickness of the lead changes and becomes less accurate as you draw with it.

• Exacto Knife & blades. My fave is the Fiskars brand.

You might also prefer to use a box cutter or utility knife to cut your chipboard/bookbinders board covers.

• Self-healing cutting mat (at least 12 x 18)

• Lineco® glue brush. I use a 3/4" brush for most things. You can ALSO get the narrower 1/2" brush for when you want to glue smaller pieces or use any stiff and sturdy kiddie hog's hair craft brush.

• Non-slip metal ruler

• Awl: My favorote is the Lineco Medium Duty Awl. Other awls are also appropriate.

• Piercing Cradle (or "Punching Cradle"): If you want to make your own cradle, I've got a pattern for that, you'lll need a 20 x 16 piece of .25" thick foam core. If you'd rather just purchase one, that is fine, too!

• Scissors

• Paper towels

• Covered brick to weigh down drying pieces. (A stack of books also does nicely!)

• Bookbinding thread:

You've got lots of options here. Below are suggestions. So if you've got other sources for thread you'd prefer using, that's ok.

Pearl Cotton embroidery thread in size 5 or 8 works really well. You'll want to wax this yourself before stitching.

Londonderry Linen Thread 18/3 is my new favorite bookbinding thread. John Neal Books and Paper & Ink Arts both sell this. You'll want to wax this thread as well, before stitching.

Optional Supplies:

• Chocolate

• Dog Treats

• More Chocolate

Google Hangout Technical Notes:

For the Google Hangout to work, you'll need to be using a set of headphones during demo time to plug into your computer. During instruction, your microphones should be muted, but cameras on. This cuts down on background noise while I am demonstrating. However, when we begin introductions, and for class discussion after each exercise is completes, you should be unmuted so we can all have a lively discussion! So please purchase a pair of earbuds if you don't already have a set.

Click here to read what Google has to say about participating in a Google Hangout. From my experience, here are some things you can do to improve your online experience and some trouble shooting if any technical issues come up.

• Quit all other open applications on your device that are actively using the internet.

• Ask other members of your household not to use the internet/wifi while you're streaming the class

• Make sure you're as close as you can get to your router (that box that has all the wires and gives you wifi). You can still have a good connection to your router of it's in a different room in your home, but large mirrors and other large devices can interfere with reception. Note that you may have great success even without taking these measures - this is just my practice here at home.

• If your connection isn't the greatest (poor image or no sound/video), hang up the call and return. Upon returning, if it hasn't improved, quit your browser and restart your computer. That ALWAYS helps.

• If your camera suddenly goes blank, use the camera icon at the top of your screen to toggle it off and on again.

More information:

• Anne Will be bringing her dog to this class. If you have an allergy or phobia that she needs to be aware of, please email Anne directly. Penkitten@anneelser.com

About Anne

After earning a BFA in painting from the Cleveland Institute of Art and graduate studies in Graphic Design at The Portfolio Center, Anne Elser began her artistic career as a painter, bookbinder, designer, and calligrapher. With over 20 years teaching experience, her students often report how fulfilling the classroom experience is, prompting both personal and artistic transformations. Anne's classes are also FUN and full of laughter. Students find the sense of community she inspires enriching and entertaining.

She currently teaches private lessons in person and on-line from her home studio in Decatur, classes and workshops year round at Binder Art Supply in Buckhead and at their Ponce City Market location, and classes and workshops from her home studio in Decatur. She also travels in the states and abroad conducting workshops and has been an IAMPETH instructor.

Her work has been featured in books and magazines across the country, and for both private and corporate clients such as Tiffany&Co, Mont Blanc, Louis Vuitton, Paces Papers, Landor, Martha Stewart Weddings, Belk, Saks Fifth Avenue, Bloomingdales, Clicquot Veauvé, World50, Ogilvy, and more.

Artist, calligrapher, teacher, mother, and friend, Anne believes making art creates a channel for truth and is a soulful reflection of the connections shared by all.

FAQs

Are there ID or minimum age requirements to enter the event?

This is an adult class. Childrens classes coming soon!

What are my transportation/parking options for getting to and from the event?

This is an online class.

How can I contact the organizer with any questions?

Send Anne an email to: PenKitten@Anne Elser.com

What's the refund policy?

Refunds are not available at this time.

Do I have to bring my printed ticket to the event?

No.

Is my registration fee or ticket transferrable?

No.

Is it ok if the name on my ticket or registration doesn't match the person who attends?

Yes. If you purchased this class or workshop as a gift, please let me know the name of the person taking the class when you register.

If this is an online class and I can't be there live, how do I participate?

Every single class is live so that we can all interact with each other. I record EVERY class and upload this file immediately after class ends. You may stream the recording and you may also download and keep it. I record my classes so that students can still participate if they can't attend because of illness, time zone differences, or other issues. If in the event a recording malfunction occurs, I upload a brief review of the class, using the notes and pages I already created. I also upload images of my pages for you to view and keep for your personal use. If you can't be there.

How do I participate in the envelope exchange at the end of the class?

You must be in the live class to participate int he weekly envelope exchange. You must also add your mailing address to the dropbox file we create during our first intro meeting. You can leave your mailing address as a comment. Please be sure to cover up a portion of the envelope addres if you'd like to share your work via social media.

How do I receive feedback on my homework?

You may upload your homework and share on social media but if you'd like me to see it, you need to TAG ME. (@anneelser) on Instagram or Anne-Davnes Elser on Facebook. This is a wonderful way to keep in touch with the progress of your classmates and with me! If you'd rather be more private, go ahead and email me your work and we can correspond that way.

How soon after a class ends, will I be able to view it online?

It generally takes 12-24 hours for a class recording to fully upload.