What’s Happening in the Shop

We’re working hard and having fun in the shop. See some of what we’ve been doing here.

bigriverbindery

We start each morning unpacking books in progress.

We start each morning unpacking books in progress. Simple wrapped bricks hold things in place overnight before we proceed with the next steps in the repair. Bricks make cheap but effective weighs to have in the shop. #bookbinding #bookarts #bookconservation #bookrepair #bookbindingweights

As Andrew prepares for his University class on Boo

As Andrew prepares for his University class on Bookbinding, he’s documenting new pieces in his collection of Artists’ Books. This lovely volume from Kimberly Kwan called ‘worn yesterday’ talks about clothes and relationships. This letterpress book will be a great example. #artistsbook #bookarts #letterpress #relationships #collectingbooks #bookbinding

You won’t get to see the fall colors, but you ca

You won’t get to see the fall colors, but you can join your Canadian colleagues online when Andrew teaches the Carousel Book for @cbbag_bookarts in October. We’ll spend two days making your own decorated book. See the link in the bio for more. #bookarts #onlineworkshop #carouselbook #accordionbook #illustratedbook #bookbinding #bookartsworkshop

Oh the stories we see while repairing books. I loo

Oh the stories we see while repairing books. I look forward to winter, but I feel sorry for Jessie. We hope it turns out well in the end. #bookrepair #bookconservation #bookbinding #poorjessie #winteriscoming

A little tape removal to end the day. We use mild

A little tape removal to end the day. We use mild heat to soften the adhesive to get the carrier off. Then we’ll move onto the left over adhesive. #bookconservation #bookbinding #bookrepair #taperemoval #tapeisevil

The bindery staff picked up this beast of a tool t

The bindery staff picked up this beast of a tool today. This Kensol stamping machine will make it easier and more accurate to gold stamp labels and covers for our clients. We’ll dust it off and learn how best to use it soon. #goldstamping #kensol #heavyequipment #newtoy #bookbinding #boxmaking

If you've always wanted to try out bookbinding or

If you've always wanted to try out bookbinding or want to build up your skills, our online workshop will help you make your own books at home. Our course uses recorded lessons you can access on your own schedule, a chat room to share your books and ask questions, and live zoom office hours to meet the other students and ask questions in person.

Register by August 20 to insure you get the optional materials kit before the class starts.

See more listing on our workshop page, link in our bio. #bookbinding #bookarts #accordionbooks #pamphlets #onepagebook #slipcase

This book had broken hinges on the endpapers. We’ll adhere these strips to replace the broken endpaper area, then put the original papers back over the top. This paper should blend in well. #bookrepair #bookconservation #bookbinding #bookarts #japanesepaper

When Andrew visited the Japanese Paper Place, as p

When Andrew visited the Japanese Paper Place, as part of our tour they gave a demo of Kakashibu, and even gave us a chance to try it out. Sigrid showed us lots of tips for working with it, and it added to the great tour. Thanks again @the_jpp #kakashibu #japanesepaper #japanesetissue #washi #bookarts #bookbinding

Andrew loved getting to see the @the_jpp in person

Andrew loved getting to see the @the_jpp in person. So many great papers and such a nice staff. See the chat he and Nancy, the founder, had while he was at the shop.

Posted @withregram • @the_jpp We had an wonderful visitor from Atlanta, USA. Andrew Huot is a long-time user of Japanese paper in his busy Big River Bindery (@bigriverbindery). With his wife Beth and son Ethan, we gave a warehouse tour and Kakishibu demonstration😊👍

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#bookbindery #bookbinding #washi #mulberrypaper #washipaper #handmadepaper #japanesepaper #thejapanesepaperplace #the_jpp

We were impressed with the size of wood type in Ca

We were impressed with the size of wood type in Canada. This 12” tall font would be great in our shop if it were available, but alas, it has to stay at Massey College. Boy for scale. @thebibroom #letterpress #bookarts #woodtype

Even when out of town, Andrew can’t stay away fr

Even when out of town, Andrew can’t stay away from a conservation lab. He recently visited the lab at Pratt Library at Victoria College at the University of Toronto and got a tour. #conservationlab #conservationvacation #lookingforgoodideas

We love fixing books, but there’s nothing like a

We love fixing books, but there’s nothing like a stack of newly made books. This set of family histories are finished just before the clients family reunion. #bookbinding #bookarts #familyhistory #caseboundbooks

Our fall online workshops are open for registratio

Our fall online workshops are open for registration. Learn the basics of bookbinding, some sculptural books, books perfect for photographs or prints, or try a historic model. More info on our website, link in the bio. #bookarts #bookbinding #pamphletbooks #accordionbooks #tunnelbook #carouselbook #flagbook #drumleafbinding #storagebook #naghammadi #hedikylestructure #timelystructure

We love making an edition to change up the work in

We love making an edition to change up the work in the shop. These books are ready for the covers to be stamped and made, covering this nice stack of text blocks. #bookbinding #bookarts #editionbookbinding #textblocks

I see a lot of paper repair in the future. This Bi

I see a lot of paper repair in the future. This Bible has poor quality paper and needs some help before going back onto the book. Thank god we just made a new batch of paste. #bookconservation #bookrepair #paperconservation #biblerepair #bookbinding #bookarts

Happy Canada Day everyone! We’re celebrating by

Happy Canada Day everyone! We’re celebrating by making some double fan adhesive bindings. Once they’re glued and dried, new cloth covers will be added to finish them off. #doublefanadhesivebinding #bookbinding #bookarts #newbinding

Before heading into a two holidays weekend (Canada

Before heading into a two holidays weekend (Canada Day and 4th of July) we’re practicing some book structures for an upcoming workshop north of the border. This Hedi Kyle structure makes for a fun book to make before some time off. #bookarts #bookbinding #hedikylestructure #adhesiveboundbooks #thursdayfun

It’s time to reattach the original boards back o

It’s time to reattach the original boards back onto this family Bible. We’re using a starched fabric to make sure the boards stay in place and sound while the Bible used by future generations. #biblerepair #bookconservation #bookrepair #bookbinding #bookarts

This little book has spectacular marbled endsheets

This little book has spectacular marbled endsheets, but had not enough support to hold the cover on to the text block. We’ll make it stronger and better for future use in no time. #bookbinding #bookconservation #bookrepair #marbledpapers #marbledendpapers #brokenhinges

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