Starburst - An Exposed Binding Online Class Oct 18 & 25

Starburst - An Exposed Binding Online Class
Two Sundays: Oct 18 and Oct 25, 10am-12:30pm MT
Instructor: Kristen Lewis
Limit: 15 students. Includes class kit + shipping
To receive your kit in time for the class, register by Oct 11. All participants must be 15 years or older.

Class Details

We love how modern bookmakers have featured traditional binding stitches from ancient times in their newer, exposed spine books. It’s hard to imagine that such beautiful patterns were never meant to be seen! These formerly hidden bindings were created around the eighth century; it was a time when books became larger and heavier, which required them to have stronger structural support. As a result, hard wearing stitch patterns were used to bind the signatures and were then covered over with a spine to protect them. 

In this multi-session class, local book artist Kristen Lewis focuses on a stitch pattern she calls “starburst”. The pattern is more ornate and offers more decorative possibilities than the better known Coptic binding. Kristen discusses ways to take this decoration even further, like adding contrasting elements behind your stitches. Talk about a wow factor! 

There are two live Zoom sessions. They’re supplemented by two video instruction sessions so that you can do your homework at your own pace. During the first of the live sessions, you’ll share your prepared covers, go over pages and registration, and discuss structure, form, and function. During the week you’ll work on binding your covers and the prepared signatures of pages together. The second live session pulls everything together. It’s a chance for everyone to check in, ask questions, and share what they discovered – both challenges and surprises. It’s also a time for Kristen to show inspiring variations on the project. There are plenty of innovative ideas for you to play with!

Your reward for a week’s work? A unique, hardworking journal with a striking pattern on the spine. You’ll also enjoy the satisfaction of knowing you’re showing off something beautiful that once was hidden.

You will receive 2 homework videos (about 30min each). Note that the total homework for the class will take about 2-½ to 3 hours: about 1 hour before the first live session and 1-½ to 2 hours before the second live session. These times are estimates. Please allow yourself plenty of time for the homework since everyone’s pace is different.

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
• Old magazines, newsprint, or other paper for keeping glue off the work surface.
• Cutting mat or other surface for punching/cutting
• Bookbinding awl
• Small dish for glue small dish for glue (empty 6-8oz wide-mouth yogurt tub or similar)
• Glue: Lineco Books By Hand PVA adhesive, Lineco Neutral pH Adhesive, or Aleene’s Tacky Glue (these are all acid free and dry in a flexible way). A glue brush is included in your kit.
• Optional, but very useful: bone folder
• Optional, but very useful: damp paper towels, hand towels, or baby wipes in case of glue mistakes and to keep fingers clean
• Optional: apron

Class Kit Includes:

• Waxed linen thread
  
• Foam brush for applying glue
• Curved bookbinding needle
• Paper for interior pages
• Decorative paper for covers
  
• Set of covers
• Paper jigs for punching
• Handouts

We ship class kits approximately 2 weeks before the class via USPS Priority or UPS. 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