Brothers Journals

Brothers' Journals

About the Project

A client contacted me to commission two journals for her grandsons. She said that she wanted to give them something that will help encourage their art and writing, both of them being young and developing as artists. So we set out to create these journals with the mission of making them both durable and aesthetically pleasing – a classic design for the spines and high-quality paper that will work for drawing and writing.

With a few of her grandson’s preferences in mind for colors, I began drafting the idea and put together journals for them that will last a lifetime. It was a fairly straightforward approach, using hand tools that I’d had made for me many years ago from Kevin Noaks with Bookbindesigns. We decided to work with silver, rather than gold, for a look that stands out and holds space on the shelf.

We were able to finish the project before Christmas and they were delivered on time for Christmas morning. This was an incredibly satisfying project to work on and I am thankful to have helped bring her vision to life.

The Process

My client asked me to take as many pictures as possible during the binding process, so I have a lot to share with you all! She wanted to include them when they received their books. She also sent me a note to include with the packaging when I sent them out, which was very sweet.

Waking to Nightfall

About the Project

This project began in the Summer of 2024. The client contacted me with a clear vision of what he wanted to make, sending me a digital mock-up of what he had in mind. The key component of this design, aside from the intricate knotwork, are the contrasted areas between light and dark blue and the 12 “studs” on both covers. I immediately began working with ideas of how we can make this project happen. My first instinct was to run with a cuir-ciselé approach, followed by custom engraved stamps where needed.

While it took some time to finish this project, I feel like we made exactly what was intended. A custom leather book, traditionally bound, with bold design features.

The Process

I first needed to isolate the design from the digital mock-up the client sent me and size it to the text-block, which gave me an opportunity to extract the Moon Design and the Title/Author for the spine. I knew we needed a custom stamp for the spine, however, I initially thought I could carve the moon myself. Unfortunately, the carved moon design didn’t translate as well as I intended, so we decided to make a second stamp for that part.

When I made the first draft it didn’t feel like the contrast of color was present, so I went back to the drawing board for another draft. I took my time with it, experimenting with different dyes and finishes that would stand out and give us the contrast we were looking for. Thankfully, I found a solution. Using a turquoise dye, I put down a base layer over the entire hide and let it dry overnight. I then focused on the border areas we wanted to emphasize and finished them with Atom Wax. Once that dried, I went over it again with an “Evening Blue” to give us the darker blue. For the final step, I applied a Japanese Gel Antique to smooth out the coloring and blend it all together.

Once the coloring was completed I attached the boards. Before turning the edges in, I then punched holes for the studs. Since I don’t often work with these, I asked around to some of my colleagues for their advice. It’s always fun to collaborate with the community, whenever the chance arises. For this design aspect I chose to go with “Chicago Screws”, finding the exact size that matches the boards and leather thickness (approximately 4mm).

Wedding Album

About the Project

I was excited when this project came across my table and eager to further my skills my custom tools I’d commissioned from Dimitri, a bookbinder in Greece. He and I have become fast friends over the years and it’s quite fun to trade notes with him and discuss topics specific to bookbinding.

This project was a gift, so the amount of time/money it would have taken in reality is unknown to me. My younger brother and his then-fiancé were preparing for their wedding and this idea popped into my head. I personally enjoy making books as gifts. I feel it puts me back in touch with my roots, as I began bookbinding as a hobby and would often make gifts for people as a surprise. To see people light up is one of the purest forms of joy one can experience. Gift-projects also give me a certain latitude of expression. It feels freeing in a way, allowing me to step into the realm of creation to see what surprises are in store for me. Sometimes I fail and need to start over, other times I am amazed at what comes forward. Either way I enjoy it.

The idea for the design sprouted from the wedding theme itself. Often weddings have a floral motif and their wedding was no exception to that. So I leaned into it and asked the two what their favorite flowers were. “Orchid and Peony” was their answer, so I immediately set to work. I found two designs that I felt would be suitable for the plan I’d devised and I began my preparations.

The Process

These are the designs I came up with for this project. The first draft is on leftover leather I always keep in the bindery for just such a purpose.

Once I felt confident on the design’s execution, I readied myself for the actual project.

The work on the book went in phases, breaking the designs down into their essential components. This helped me organize my thoughts while I worked on the leather. Alternating between gold and silver was a fun way to make each design pop, with opposing elements showcased on each. I only took a couple of photos during the process, unfortunately.

Procession of the Night Theatre

About the Project

Making a book for the author is a special thing. Easily one of my favorite parts of the job. However, to have the author actually work on their own book is priceless.

Jay came out for a visit to see their publisher and spend time in residence at the Celestial Arts Education Library (CAELi). Once we connected we immediately knew we wanted to work together in the bindery. I walked them through the process of bookbinding and essentially conducted a shortened version of my Introduction to Bookbinding class I teach with Arbutus Folk School.

It was a lot of fun introducing Jay to the bindery and letting them work with my tools. A particular favorite of mine is the Challenge Paper Cutter (Guillotine). It’s a 70-year old artifact that is operated by hand, whereas its modern counterparts are all automated. It does take a bit to get used to, especially if you’ve never operated one before, but the results transform the book completely!

Before Jay left we discussed expanding the project into a 28-edition series, each with their own sigil designed by Jay. So, they drafted the first sigil for their personal copy and I took the opportunity to begin working with a custom tool set I’d commissioned from a bookbinder in Greece. The tools allow a bookbinder to perform “free-hand tooling” in silver or gold (or any metallic foil). This was my first venture into this decoration technique and we are both happy with how it came out.

More details will be announced soon!

The Process

Musashi

About the Project

Musashi by Eiji Yoshikawa is a seminal Japanese epic that has influenced countless pieces of cultural significance.

This epic tale stands at nearly 900-pages and follows the adventures of Shinmen Takezō, later known as Miyamoto Musashi, following the Battle of Sekigahara. Musashi journeys throughout feudal Japan training pupils, fighting in duels and challenging conventional figures of authority with his virtue and unparalleled skill as a swordsman. Originally published in 1935, and later translated to English in 1981, it comprises seven books detailing Musashi’s exploits leading up to his climactic duel with Sasaki Kojiro on Ganryujima.

Miyamoto Musashi is an infamous figure in Japanese culture even to this day. He is the author of The Book of Five Rings and is considered a Kensei, a sword-saint of Japan.

Methods

Blue is a significant color among Japanese swordsmanship and I found a lovely dark leather from J. Hewit & Sons. The rough pours of the hide give the covers a unique look, almost that of living skin, and the leather has a wonderful texture. However, I would still like to perfect my tooling practices, as I found this leather to be a bit difficult to work on when applying heated tools. When deciding the design of the decorations, silver stood out to me and I chose to run with it. I’m happy I did and the effect turned out beautiful. Lastly, I applied the silver leaf to the top and bottom of the spine with five strokes bordering the endbands. I learned this technique from All About Bookbinding and have fallen in love with the look.

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Tag: Silver Stamping