Pearl City Clay House will be OPEN on Monday, October 12 from 12pm-5pm for walk-in activities. Come spend your day off of work/school with us!

Tag: book binding

Jamestown Oaks coptic book workshop

We love trees and we love our city!

Join us to celebrate the woodsy theme of the current gallery exhibit by creating. Designed by our resident book and paper lover, Deb Eck, these books will feature tree cookies taken from the Third Street oak trees and some decorative papers made by Deb in her studio from plants collected on Jamestown’s Riverwalk.

Learn how to make a traditional, elegant Coptic sewn binding similar to ones used in the Copt Monasteries of Ethiopia around the 4th century while creating  a special tribute to the city’s glorious cathedral oaks.

The two part class meets Feb 22 and 29, and is suitable for complete beginners with no previous binding experience. The workshop will cover the basics of creating a book, including finding paper grain, folding papers accurately, selecting appropriate threads, marking and punching the holes for sewing, and assembling the book.

This is a VERY limited seating class.

Deb will donate $10 per student to Jamestown’s Urban Forestry Fund in honor of the trees.

Save your seat here!

make a zine!

Pearl City Clay House is excited to announce a series of FREE community workshops at the Prendergast Library,  funded by the Murray L. Bob Educational Initiative.

The second of these workshops, to create a zine, will take place on June 7th.

What IS a zine?

ZINE (n): pronounced “zeen” A zine is a self-published, non-commercial print-work that is typically produced in small, limited batches.  Zines are created and bound in many DIY ways, but traditionally editions are easily reproduced—often by crafting an original “master flat,” and then photocopying, folding, and stapling the pages into simple pamphlets.  Zines may also be sewn, taped, glued—or even exist in unbound and other non-folio formats.  The main rule is that there are no rules! Zines can touch on a variety of topics from music and art, to politics, sexuality, humor and personal memoir.  Their content may be written, drawn, printed, collaged, or any other form of combining words and imagery—a zine’s structure may be narrative, journalistic, comic-like, or completely abstract.

Our resident book and paper artist, Deb Eck, will guide participants as they learn a little about the history of zines, examine a few examples from her collection, and experiment with a variety of single sheet folded book forms, and a simple sewn structure. Then we will dive in, and using drawing, collage, and mixed media techniques, we will create one. The evening will culminate in copying and sharing our zines with each other in a zine swap.

While the events are free, space is limited, and you must register by calling 716-484-7135, ext. 226 or by emailing [email protected]. 

Jamestown Oaks coptic book workshop

We love trees and we love our city!

Join us to celebrate Arbor Day by making a unique commemorative book. Designed by our resident book and paper lover, Deb Eck, these books will feature tree cookies taken from the Third Street oak trees and some decorative papers made by Deb in her studio from plants collected on Jamestown’s Riverwalk.

Learn how to make a traditional, elegant Coptic sewn binding similar to ones used in the Copt Monasteries of Ethiopia around the 4th century while creating  a special tribute to the glorious cathedral oaks.

The class is suitable for complete beginners with no previous binding experience and will cover the basics of creating a book, including finding paper grain, folding papers accurately, selecting appropriate threads, marking and punching the holes for sewing, and assembling the book.

This is a VERY limited seating class.

Deb will donate $10 per student to Jamestown’s Urban Forestry Fund in honor of the trees.

 

 

Brown Bag Journal – part 2

Pearl City Clay House is excited to announce a series of FREE community workshops at the Prendergast Library,  funded by the Murray L. Bob Educational Initiative.

The first of these workshops, to create a hand-bound blank journal, will take place over two evenings in March – March 8 and March 22. In order to complete the project you must be available both nights.

Our resident book and paper artist, Deb Eck, will guide participants as they learn a long stitch binding. Longstitch is a versatile and attractive method of sewing multiple signature books that open easily and can be adapted in a variety of ways. This traditional style of binding originated in Germany, and was in use between 1375 and 1500.  We will use some contemporary recycled materials, including a brown paper lunch bag, to replicate this glue- free binding.

The workshop will cover basic bookbinding terminology and techniques, and students will make the structure along with the instructor. Students will fold, mark up and punch signatures, construct a paper case from a brown lunch bag,  and sew the long stitch structure. Students will gain the skills to continue making books on their own at home with minimal equipment.

While the events are free, space is limited, and you must register by calling 716-484-7135, ext. 226 or by emailing [email protected]. 

Brown Bag Journal – part 1

 

Pearl City Clay House is excited to announce a series of FREE community workshops at the Prendergast Library,  funded by the Murray L. Bob Educational Initiative.

The first of these workshops, to create a hand-bound blank journal, will take place over two evenings in March – March 8 and March 22. In order to complete the project you must be available both nights.

Our resident book and paper artist, Deb Eck, will guide participants as they learn a long stitch binding. Longstitch is a versatile and attractive method of sewing multiple signature books that open easily and can be adapted in a variety of ways. This traditional style of binding originated in Germany, and was in use between 1375 and 1500.  We will use some contemporary recycled materials, including a brown paper lunch bag, to replicate this glue- free binding.

The workshop will cover basic bookbinding terminology and techniques, and students will make the structure along with the instructor. Students will fold, mark up and punch signatures, construct a paper case from a brown lunch bag,  and sew the long stitch structure. Students will gain the skills to continue making books on their own at home with minimal equipment.

While the events are free, space is limited, and you must register by calling 716-484-7135, ext. 226 or by emailing [email protected]. 

Scrap Buster Journal

Is your new year’s resolution to whittle down your fabric stash? Join us for this scrap busting workshop at the brand new studio classroom at Tammarie designs.

Have fabric you just can’t figure out how to use, or little pieces left from other projects? Bring them to class, and maybe mix it up by swapping with other students. We will transform them into a colorful cover for a little journal. Then we will add some simple hand embroidery, before adding some blank pages using some traditional binding techniques. By the end of the workshop you will have a sweet little blank book,  the perfect place to keep all your creative thoughts this coming year.

 

“Book bag” workshop

Join us via zoom to take some things you probably already have at home, some printer paper, thread and a gift bag, and turn them into this cute little book complete with handles! We will use a few simple tools to create this book, bound with this long stitch style binding, complete with a button. Its a great way to use that gift bag from a vacation that you’ve been saving, and the finished book is perfect to give as a gift or keepsake, or keep it for yourself, the handles make it convenient to carry anywhere!

You don’t need any previous experience, and we will send you a full list of materials when you sign up. The zoom recording will be available after the workshop with lifetime access.

To reserve your spot, click HERE for a ticket!

Bibliomaniacs

A virtual meet up for book binders, paper lovers and mixed media artists.

If you love making books, experimenting with paper structures, or messing about with mixed media, this is the group for you! A place to share what you are working on, and pick the brains of other artists and crafters. Meet other artists and crafters, and share your love for all things papery! Deb Eck, our resident paper guru, will be on hand to lend her experience and play along.

BOOK YOUR SPOT!

Recycle a hardback book

Join our resident paper and book artist, Deb Eck, and learn how to turn an old hardback book into a fun and functional journal. In class Deb will cover how to reinforce and decorate your up-cycled cover, how to measure for new pages, and make sure the grain is correct so they lay flat and are nice to use. We’ll talk about other inclusions, and wrap it all up with a demonstration of three styles of sewing – pamphlet, Coptic and French link stitch – that can be used to put your unique journal together.

A full supply list will be sent upon registration.

Space is very limited so BOOK NOW!

Coptic Binding

 

Join book and paper artist Deb Eck and learn this traditional binding technique. Coptic binding was employed by early Christians in Egypt, the Copts, and used from as early as the 2nd century. It is a popular binding style because the finished book lies completely flat when opened making it perfect for writing or sketching.

THIS WORKSHOP REQUIRES A KIT, you can find it in the shop here.

*If you already have some bookbinding tools and materials, you can request a supply list in lieu of the kit.

Class Guide

  • Root

    Beginner level classes suitable for everyone.

  • Shoot

    Ready for a little more of a challenge?

    These classes build on skills from root level classes – but may still be suitable for those with little experience. Not sure if the class is for you, just ask us.

  • Bloom

    Get ready to REALLY grow your skills!

    Classes for students with experience. Our teaching artists will identify what skills you should already have. If you are unsure if a class is for you, please ask, we’d be happy to help you!

  • Refund Policy

    Please be advised that all ticket sales are final. We only offer exchanges or refunds in the event that the class is cancelled by Pearl City Clay House. We appreciate your understanding and support!