The Art and Craft of Handmade Books

Shereen LaPlantz / Softcover / Lark Books / ISBN:1579904386 / Published 2003

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The beautiful colour illustrations of the artists' books draw you into this new volume by Shereen LaPlantz (Cover to Cover) and invite many hours of browsing. The author, who had cancer at the time the book was being written, describes it as a collaborative effort with binding assistant Tracy Alpin and husband David LaPlantz. It opens with technical information which includes a glossary of book binding terms, gives the basics of book-binding, discusses materials; adhesives, papers, board, thread, and includes a good discussion of archival vs. non archival quality materials. It shows basic tools, how to make a sewing cradle, and discusses techniques for working with books. Then we get into the really 'good stuff', the book projects, beginning with a variety of concertina style books with many ideas for personalizing. Star tunnel book projects start with the traditional model and show variations such as the four-layer and the tassel book. Other bindings included are pamphlet and running stitch, tacket binding, Coptic stitch, and recessed skewer binding. Each binding includes many ideas for variations, or as LaPlantz says, "transmutation - adjusting your thinking like your binding, to Žt your needs". The instructions are clear and easy to follow, the pho-tography beautiful, the variety of ideas endless. Readers will like the ready information found on blue coloured pages throughout the book that give both technical and artistic points. A great book! DeŽnitely on my 'wish list'.

Ed. note: It is most unfortunate that Shereen La Plantz was not enamoured with the editing of this book, and that some of her instructions have been "edited into inaccuracy". We have printed the twenty-three pages of her version, which will accompany our library copy. It is also available on her website. Go to and scroll down. - Betty Miller

Making Memory Books and Journals by Hand

Shereen LaPlantz / Softcover / Thunder Bay Press / ISBN:1571456244 / Published 2001

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After reading a few of the instructions, mostly from the Žrst third of the book, I concluded it is not a how-to book for fearful beginners. You have to know a lot to make anything similar to these projects. Photos and instructions are not clear and precise enough. Tips and suggestions on gluing, grain and cutting seem good. Sometimes, it is hard to follow the pictures from one step to another. I have less of this reaction in the journal section. There are some great ideas for transferring pictures and other techniques for development and decoration. Still, getting inspiration and then actually managing to make the book - too intimidating for me, though I love looking at them. Kirsten Horel, bookmaker wunderkind says: "Great book for drooling and inspiration. Visuals in the last third of the book appealed to me most. They are from the book I already own, Making Journals by Hand by Jason Thompson. Sitting with this book for one hour made me want to go make a deep-rich-textural-cool-collagy-painty creation from deep in my soul. Nice glossy photos to attract your attention." - Gail Stevens

Historical Scripts : From Classical Times to the Renaissance

Stan Knight / Hardcover / Oak Knoll Books / ISBN:1884718566 / 2nd revised edition, published 1998

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The first edition of Historical Scripts, published in 1984, immediately became an indispensable reference for those with an interest in the development of writing but who were not themselves scholars or researchers. That book guided us and gave us access to the genuine article, real manuscripts, each of which was explained in a brief informative text passage.

This second edition is an improvement in several ways. While maintaining the format and continuity of the original, Stan Knight has added more examples of written text. Each page opening shows a full page of manuscripts, an enlargement showing the detail of a few lines of text, and an actual-size depiction of a single line. Stan Knight's brief, erudite commentary on each selection serves to establish its context and to draw the reader's attention to pertinent details.

An enlarged glossary and bibliography further enrich this fine, important volume. I have consulted my own copy of the first edition of Historical SCripts on countless occasions, often marking a page with Post-it notes for quick reference. I welcome the chance to add this second edition to my library, and am very glad that our Guild has it available to members. - Lindley McDougall

Handmade Books and Cards

Jean G. Kropper / Hardcover / Davis Publications / ISBN:0871923343 / Published 1997

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Jean Kropper, an expatiate American now living in Australia, has worked in graphic design, creative bookbinding, hand papermaking and maskmaking. 'Handmade Books and Cards' is her third book, and I predict it will see a lot of activity in the BVCG library!

This book packs a lot of information between its covers, starting with a brief history of books and cards. Every aspect of making cards and books is covered in a simple, easy to follow way, including : making paper, explaining the different types of paper, unusual materials, exploring different ways to illustrate a page, typography, layout, closures and binding - from simple to complicated.

The samples shown are very strong and varied. I especially enjoyed the Tunnel Books on page 99. The black and white illustrations offer more information about techniques, tools and materials. There is very little about calligraphy in this books, but then we have other books and classes to help s with our lettering.

This is a good basic book to borrow if you are interested in going a little further into the world of bookbinding. It provided many starting points for you to use to create unique books and cards. - Peggy Barrett Robinson

Bookworks : Books, Memory and Photo Albums, Journals, and Diaries Made by Hand

Sue Doggett / Hardcover / Watson-Guptill Pubns / ISBN:0823004910 / Published 1998

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This is a great book to own if you love making books! Filled with diagrams and full color photos, information on papers, glues, bindings and lots of techniques, it covers the basics of bookmaking from simple forms to very complex structures. I really enjoyed the instructions and the coloured diagrams. 'Bookworks' is much easier to follow than Keith Smith's notes. Put this one on your wish list! - Margaret Van Diest

Collage Techniques : A Guide for Artists and Illustrators

Gerald F. Brommer / Paperback / Watson-Guptill Pubns / ISBN:0823006557 / Published 1994

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"Collage is a layering of thoughts and ideas as well as paper, fabric, glue, and paint." So begins Gerald Brommer in this comprehensive book of collage.

The book contains works by him as well as other collagists. It is not a 'how-to' book, as there is no right or wrong way to do collage. It does have a fairly large section on materials and techniques. There are demonstrations of technique in several chapters. They are well photographed with detailed instructions.

This book definitely opened my eyes to collage, which I thought just involved paper and paste. Paper-holics should be aware of this book, as it encourages extreme paper collecting! It is a well organized book. - Teresa Strangeland

In Your Own Write (Around the House)

Jocasta Innes et al, Marie-Louise Avery (Photographer) / Hardcover / Bulfinch Press / ISBN:0821224530 / Published 1997

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A small, full colour book which is an excellent introduction on how and where to use letters and writing as interior decoration.

Jocasta Innes begins with a very well researched, potted history of lettering, including an illustrated time line of lettering styles. Projects are clearly explained and good advice is given about suitable lettering, yet allowing room for personal taste.

Projects range from simple to complex (pincushions to calligraphing on a wall), yet even with the complex art, Innes advises starting small and working up. A good book, not overwhelming, not pretending to be more than it is. - Ros Jones

100 Keys to Great Calligraphy

Judy Kastin / Hardcover / North Light Books / ISBN:0891347526 / Published 1996

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This is an excellent book for beginning calligraphers, but more experienced calligraphers may also find new ideas. Even if some of the ideas are not new, they are easy to reference through a well organized Table of Contents. It is beneficial to have many useful ideas in one easy reference. There are eight general categories : lettering tools, materials and equipment, getting started, layout and design, special effects, backgrounds, helpful procedures and tips for projects. The book contains coloured photographs and each idea is well labeled and easy to follow. The small size and the coil binding on the inside make the book easy to handle. - Barb Doll

In and Out of the Garden

Sara Midda / Hardcover / Workman Publishing Company / ISBN:0894801937 / Published 1989

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This book is a gardener's handbook with delightful handpainted illustrations and hand-lettered text. It would make a wonderful gift book to either an artist who could appreciate the fine brush watercolours, or to a gardening lovers. This work of art was three years in the making, and the pride and quality of work is shown on every page

The book is broken into four chapters : General Advice, The Vegetable Book, Pleasures of an Orchard and the Garden of Herbs. Her source book listing credits gardening lore from the mid-1500's through the 1930's : books like 'Five Hundred Points of Good Husbandrie' and 'The Old English Gardening Books'. Even though the book was published in 1981 (currently reissued), its charm and whimsy make it suitable for any gardening fan. As the overleaf says : "Dip into it for recipes, poems, proverbs and garden thoughts."

This is an enchanting addition to the BVCG library and anyone liking this book will be interested in her two newest editions : 'Growing Up and Other Vices' and 'Sara Midda's South of France'. - Donna Clement

Graphic Artists Guild Handbook : Pricing & Ethical Guidelines, 11th Edition

Graphics Artists Guild / Paperback / North Light Books / ISBN:0932102123 / 11th edition (June 2003)

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We're rich! Our talent pays as much as $10,000 US! This is a great book if you do any graphic or calligraphic work for cash, cheque, VISA and/or Mastercard. This book tells you how much to charge for certificates, menus, stationary, business cards, envelopes, etc. Trade practices are also explained to help with legal rights when things go wrong. Other business-related topics like taxes, ethics, etc. are discussed. The book covers all types of areas in printed matter (lettering artists, ad and book illustrations, greeting cards, medical and architectural illustration) as well as artwork in movies and television. - Tyler Lane

Non-Adhesive Binding Books without Paste or Glue

Keith A. Smith / Paperback / Keith Smith Books / ISBN:0963768263 / Published 1999

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Keith Smith's approach to bookbinding is one of creating a book rather than binding an existing book. "Binding should not be an aftermath, but an integral part of the book as a whole."

This book has step-by-step directions and diagrams on folding, cutting, measuring (with pin pricks), and sewing procedures. It takes you from a simple one-fold book to a more complicated "Border Book" which is a 16 page thrown-out book. It has many photos of very creative bindings to inspire you, and also includes a glossary of terms and a list of where to order supplies (all American).

I found this book to be descriptive, but maybe not instructional enough in some areas for those who do not have experience in binding. I love Keith's philosophy of "spring action" - when the binding will not stay closed and pops open. Rather than admit to failure, he sees it as the potential for spatial investigation by inserting webbed pleats to create a pop-up concept. - Gaye Mackie