Deep Rabbit Holes (another handmade book)
Posted: February 17, 2023 Filed under: Handmade book | Tags: Handmade book 9 Comments
I have a friend who I met through art journalling and we like to share with each other the artsy craftsy rabbit holes we have gone down. I have been interested in handmade books for a while but only in recent years have I joined online classes to make some. It is a rabbit hole I intend to keep tunneling into! My first hand made book I shared in November 2021. I love how that first book turned out but as yet haven’t put it to use.
In November 2022 I started another one taught once again by the incredibly talented Ali Manning. Ali runs a bookmaking monthly membership program which is a luxury I can’t afford right now but she also offers 5 day book making classes three times a year. The book you see here was started during the Nov 2022 Coptic Journal challenge but not finished until late December because…life.
The beauty of the 5 day challenges is there is an instructional video every day, a live Q & A session and a team of people answering questions. And it only costs $10. This isn’t a sponsored post or anything like that; I just want to say that I love the timeframe and level of commitment with these 5 day challenges. I am looking forward to seeing what is offered in March. Anyway enough of the how, let’s talk about what!
The name of the book comes from the binding which you can see in the second photo. I used kraft paper for my pages, table napkins and dictionary pages to decorate my covers, heavy card from watercolour paper pads for my covers and bookbinding thread.
The size is 6″ x 4.75″ and some of the pages have tabs on them to divide up the book. The binding allows the book to sit flat when open which is nice. I am using it to practice drawing simple line drawings in black and white.
Since finishing this little book I have made another one following the same video instructions (once the five day challenge is over I still have access to the content so I can make more books). I was going to share the second one in this post but I will save it for another day.
Are you a bookmaker? What styles and techniques have you used. Would you buy a handmade book? Just wondering…
Heather Telford 
Wow Heather, what a fabulous book you have made and I just adore the cover. You are so versatile with your crafting and this is such a wonderful skill to have. x
Not so far – but I might be now, thank you for sharing!
Oh my, another rabbit hole for me to wander into. I love book making, well, I love making of ALL sorts. And now I have to go find and gather my bits and pieces for book making again, because you inspire me so much!! Thank you for reminding me how fun it is to create! I would rather make my own, anytime.
Yes, I have tried bookmaking as well. It’s something I’d like to do more of once things are settled for me and I have the time. Lovely book Heather.
What a fabulous book! This is something I’ve always wanted to learn and just never did! Love the warm colors of that wonderful cover. I hope to see more of these as you do them!
I have never tried book making but always wanted to. I bought hard kraft covers that sit in my closet. I have bought handmade books, and appreciate the art that they share.
An amazing book you’ve created, Heather. I love how you’ve made the covers and tabs. I imagine just looking at the book will inspire you to draw! 🙂 Love the thick pages of your inserts. What a lovely present to yourself that you’ve created. xx
Thank you, Loll, it does feel like a present to myself. 🙂
[…] couple of weeks ago I posted photos and description of the handmade book with Coptic binding which I made as a participant in the November 5-Day challenge from the Handmade Book Club. I really […]