Workshops and Classes
I have been a teacher for longer than I care to admit. I originally trained as a high school teacher, have taught for TAFE and community organisations, and was an art history academic for many years. There’s nothing better than introducing someone to new ideas and new skills and watching them flourish.
My early workshop teaching had a textile focus, particularly free machine embroidery. These days my teaching is mostly in the areas of bookmaking, mixed media and design development. I offer bookmaking workshops in my studio in Junee, NSW and am also available to teach for external organisations.
A Stitch and a Fold
There is something about a handmade book that entices us to open the covers and peek inside. What will we find: An intriguing story? A collection of poems? A series of sketches or collages?
This workshop focuses on two simple techniques – the accordion fold and the pamphlet stitch – which can be used separately or together to make a wide variety of book forms. At the conclusion of the workshop students will have several simple handmade books to take home and the knowledge and skills to replicate these structures on their own.
Coptic Bound Sketchbook
The two needle Coptic binding stitch produces a hard cover book with a decorative chain stitched spine and pages that open flat. It is perfect for sketchbooks, notebooks or a special photo album. The technique is less complicated than it looks and requires a minimum of equipment and little (or no) glue.
This workshop introduces students to multi-section binding by using the Coptic stitch to make an A5 sized book with 64 pages of 200 gsm cartridge paper. We will look at a range of cover options and you will learn how to adapt the basic design to create books of different sizes and shapes.
No-sew Bookbinding
The flag book, reverse flat piano hinge, and slot and tab book are three book structures that can be made without sewing and with little (or no) glue. If you are an artist who would like to display your work in book form, these structures are perfect for your needs.
In this workshop you will make an example of each structure and learn how to adapt each structure to suit your own purposes.