Totebook with Watercolor Paper Online Class
Sunday, Oct 6, 10-1pm MT
Instructor: Kristen Lewis
Limit: 15 students. Includes class kit + shipping
To receive your kit in time for the class, register by Sept 29. All participants must be 15 years or older.

Class Details

There are so many reasons to love this book structure from local book artist Kristen Lewis! First, it's practical and versatile. Second, the small details give it a professional look. Third, it also includes a number of transferable techniques to add to your paper and book skills.

This particular version of the book has pages of watercolor paper, making it a more economical option for art than buying commercial journals. Kristen’s book is designed so it’s easy to take anywhere – hence the name Totebook. The hard cover protects it when it’s thrown into a jumbled bag, the soft spine is both flexible and sturdy, and an easy chain stitch binding holds up well to use. (Did we mention that the structure is versatile?) You can easily change the Totebook’s purpose by substituting other paper, such as text weight, sketch, lined, grid, etc., when making more Totebooks at home.

There are three useful and readily transferable techniques included in the class: an elastic band that keeps the book closed, rounded corners that keep it from looking dog-eared, and envelope paste downs that are both useful and fun. Kristen thinks of everything! Her Totebook is a workhorse, and a handy thing to have around.

So that class time can be devoted to assembling and binding the book, there is approximately 1-2 hours of pre-work beforehand. Since this is an estimate and everyone’s pace is different, allow yourself plenty of time for the homework. You’ll receive a video link before class to step you through the pre-work.

This online class will be recorded and made available to class participants for 14 days after the class.

Class Materials

Please bring the following materials:

Scissors
Pencil
Bone folder
Lineco PVA (strongly recommended) or Ailene's tacky glue
Small dish for glue small dish for glue (empty 6-8oz wide-mouth yogurt tub or similar)
Bookbinding awl
Large format magazine or large scrap paper for gluing
apron + baby wipes or damp towel or paper towels for gluing

Class Kit Includes:

Templates, handouts & information
Bookboard covers
Glue brush
Decorative paper and bookcloth
Envelopes for interior pockets
Elastic, sewing kit, skewer, etc
Precut watercolor paper text block
Bookbinding needle & thread

We ship class kits approximately 2 weeks before the class via USPS Priority Mail. You will receive a tracking number (check your spam folder) once your kit ships. Kits can only be shipped within the USA. If you’re outside the USA and would like to take the class, please contact us for information.

Zoom Info

An email will be sent to participants the Monday before the class. Classes with homework may receive pre-class info earlier. The email includes class date/time, materials list, pre-class prep, and Zoom link/info. No email? Double check the email address you entered when you registered and your SPAM folder. Due to SPAM filters and inbox settings, we cannot guarantee you will see, read, or open these emails. Two Hands Paperie assumes no responsibility for non-attendance of a class. Contact twohandsclasses@gmail.com with any questions and see our Class Policies page for more information.

Class Refund/Cancellation Policy - Online Class with Kit

For cancellation made 3 weeks before class we can either issue a refund or apply the funds to another class. We deduct the price of the class kit plus shipping if we’ve already shipped the kit, and we retain a $10 processing fee for EACH class cancelled. If you cancel fewer than 3 weeks before the class there is no refund or credit. If Two Hands Paperie cancels a class, we’ll contact you by email and refund the FULL class fee.

Instructor Bio

Kristen Law Lewis was bitten by the book-bug in the last semester of her undergrad Studio Art studies at University of Colorado. She’s made all kinds of books since - founding Papercuts Press in 2005. She later pursued artifact conservation, a second love, and earned a degree in Museum Studies. Kristen mixes her time between sculpture, bookmaking, teaching, and caring for museum collections. She has taught bookbinding classes since 2007 and brings a gentle, engaging, and informative approach to guiding class projects.

"My work is largely driven by materials and process. I love the challenge of physically incorporating something special into what I make. Upcycling, repurposing, and reducing waste are key interests in my studio practice. I think a lot about where things come from, and where they are going. I'm enamored with material objects - modifying their past significance to construct a relevance for them today."

Read Two Hands Paperie’s Artist Interview with Kristen

Visit her website at papercutspress.com

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Totebook with Watercolor Paper Online Class Oct 6